In our efforts to inspire a love of vegetable gardening in young people, teach kids where their food comes from, and grow the next generation of gardeners, Bonnie Plants launched its “Third Grade Cabbage Program” in 1996. On the 25th anniversary of the program, Bonnie teamed up with the Auburn University College of Education and its Elementary Education program to sponsor a special student-led curriculum competition.
Bonnie asked Auburn students to design a lesson plan, or curriculum, that would cover different aspects of the nine-week journey of students growing their own cabbage. These aspects would include education before the plant arrives, specifically learning about gardening and where food comes from; the planting process; caring for the plant; and harvest time. This would also be an opportunity for students to learn about the connection between food deserts, food insecurity, and the nutritional importance of fresh produce.
We hope you find these plans helpful and enjoy sharing the lessons with your students.
Download the lesson plans below:
Caring for Cabbages 101
Download the Caring for Cabbages 101 Lesson Plan
Harvest Time
Download the Harvest Time Lesson Plan
Exploring Global Cabbage Needs
Download the Exploring Global Cabbage Needs Lesson Plan
How Does Your Cabbage Grow?
Students observe their growing cabbage and make predictions about future growth. Lessons include measurement using the metric system, analyzing and interpreting data, and plotting data to compare and contrast.
Download the How Does Your Cabbage Grow Lesson Plan
Download the Cabbage Program Growth Journal
Food Miles
Students develop an understanding of how food travels to their grocery and an appreciation for local and homegrown food. Students become familiar with the U.S. and world maps and also use the internet to calculate distance.