Reading and learning about history are clearly important, but in no way is school gardening an approach to make children “semi-literate” as Flanagan phrases it, or an attempt to replace history class. If anything school gardening is a way to build on math and science skills, subjects already required and important to a child’s knowledge base, while teaching them important life and social skills that are lacking significantly in schools across America. If life and social skills are not in order, how do we expect these children to face the so-called “real world?” Having your “nose in a book” will only let a child grow so much. The process of learning in a child’s life needs balance. Developing social and life skills are equally, if not more important than reading “The Crucible.” I appreciate the comment written by “anonymous” regarding the same issue about how social and life skill development seems to have vanished from schools and how this is holding kids back from growing to their highest potential.

Also, Flanagan’s approach about making the reader feel sorry for immigrants who may find it offensive and disheartening to see their children putting blood, sweat and tears into a garden, leaves me no sympathy. Though I do feel sympathy for new comers to America who are struggling to make ends meet, in no way shape or form should an educational approach to learning about fruits and vegetables growing from seed to plant, be viewed as a form of labor. School is a place for learning, not labor. Therefore, how can it be said that learning about fruits and vegetables, in a “do it yourself approach” is a form of labor? There is so much more to it than meeting a “social agenda” as Flanagan puts it. Though she does have a point when saying we are “mocking” our culture because we should already know where our food comes from and the value of healthy eating. Unfortunately, this is not the reality. It is the obligation of health providers and educators to make this change. Children today are surrounded by junk food. Whether it’s the school cafeteria, fast food restaurants, processed foods at home or the inviting television commercials encouraging sugary cereals and drinks, children are surrounded by poor environmental influences. If parents and children already had a full grasp on healthy eating, our country’s health crisis would not be as devastating as it is. Therefore, teaching this concept in schools, a place designed for learning, is crucial for these kid’s futures. And yes, math, science, history, reading and writing should still continue to be an important part of the school day. With that said though, kid’s will not be able to apply what they learned from reading “The Crucible” when they “grow up”, but they will be able to apply the healthy eating behaviors they learned in the outdoor classroom.

We have added the Life Lab staff responses as well as Kirsten Berhan’s piece to our list above. Thanks for sharing with us!

Best,
Angela

At Life Lab, our staff has voiced their responses to the editors of The Atlantic and offered a more positive look at school gardens. See our replies to the editors of The Atlantic and check out “The Garden, A Master Teacher” an essay that we requested they publish. http://lifelabhistory.blogspot.com/2010/01/school-garden-bashing.html

John Fisher, Life Lab Science Program / UCSC CASFS