Ten Gardening Books to Use in the Classroom

Spring is here, and that means it's time to get outside and enjoy what Mother Nature has to offer! One activity that teachers will want to get going is a classroom garden. Gardening is a great way to teach students about how things grow and other important facts about nature and the environment. 

Here are ten gardening books teachers can use in the classroom to get their students excited about gardening and spring!

1. Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt by Kate Messner: In this book, Amazon says: "Explore the hidden world and many lives of a garden through the course of a year! Up in the garden, the world is full of green—leaves and sprouts, growing vegetables, ripening fruit. But down in the dirt exists a busy world—earthworms dig, snakes hunt, skunks burrow—populated by all the animals that make a garden their home."
2. How a Seed Grows by Helene Jordan: Amazon says: "How does a tiny acorn grow into an enormous oak tree? With beautiful and accurate watercolor illustrations from Loretta Krupinski, this book by Helene Jordan traces the process of how a little seed grows into the plants and trees that surround us."
3. Roots, Shoots, Buckets & Boots: Gardening Together with Children by Sharon Lovejoy: In this book, Amazon says Lovejoy "presents 12 spirited, easy-to-implement ideas for theme gardens that parents and kids can grow together."
4. Garden to Table: A Kid's Guide to Planting, Growing, and Preparing Food by Katherine Hengel: Amazon says: "Fill your plate with fresh, self-sustained produce that comes straight from your garden. Step-by-step planting, care and harvesting tips give the beginning gardener a good basic understanding of the growing process."
5. Jack's Garden by Henry Cole: In Jack's Garden, Amazon says: "Building on a rhyme that will be familiar to many children, author-illustrator Cole creates an enticing guide to creating a garden."
6. Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert: In this book, Amazon says: "This educational and enjoyable book helps children understand how to plant bulbs, seeds, and seedlings, and nurture their growth."
7. From Seed to Plant by Gail Gibbons: From Seed to Plant "explores the intricate relationship between seeds and the plants which they produce," Amazon says.
8. The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle: Amazon says: "Eric Carle's classic story of the life cycle of a flower is told through the adventures of a tiny seed. This mini-book includes a piece of detachable seed-embedded paper housed on the inside front cover. Readers can plant the entire piece of paper and watch as their very own tiny seeds grow into beautiful wildflowers."
9. The Curious Garden by Peter Brown: In The Curious Garden, Amazon says: "While out exploring one day, a little boy named Liam discovers a struggling garden and decides to take care of it. As time passes, the garden spreads throughout the dark, gray city, transforming it into a lush, green world."
10. Compost Stew: An A to Z Recipe for the Earth by Mary McKenna Siddals: According to Amazon: "Kids everywhere are knowledgeable about the environment and climate change. Not only is composting becoming more common in households and residential gardens, but many school gardens feature compost piles, too. But how do you start a compost pile? What’s safe to include? Perfect for an Earth Day focus or year-round reference, this inviting book provides all the answers for kids and families looking for simple, child-friendly ways to help the planet."

Article by Kassondra Granata, Education World Contributor