Horticulture/Gardening in Kindergarten through Fifth and Sixth Grade Education in Virginia: A Survey of Teachers

Abstract

In Spring 1995, a survey was conducted on horticulture/gardening in Virginia kindergarten through fifth and sixth grades (K–5/6). Ten questionnaires and cover letters were sent to each of 100 randomly chosen elementary schools of the 1143 elementary schools representing ≈45,000 teachers throughout Virginia. Based on a 33.7% response rate from a self-selected group of K–5/6 teachers in Virginia, there is a relatively high level of interest (87.5% of respondents were interested) regarding using horticulture/gardening in the classroom. To facilitate incorporating horticulture into the curriculum for the widest number of teachers, teaching packets containing horticulture-based lesson plans, activity ideas, posters, and AV materials should be prepared. However, it is likely that using these prepared resources alone will result in a minimum amount of integration of horticulture/gardening in the classroom. Materials should be presented to interested teachers at a local class or in-service where they can be reviewed and teachers are able to address any concerns or needs they may have. A follow-up outreach should be done in the form of monthly newsletters: one for the teachers containing new ideas on using horticulture in the classroom and one for students with horticulture-based activities and information. Additionally, the need for preservice undergraduate and postservice graduate level horticulture courses offered by Virginia Tech for teachers should be explored.