Provided by: The Kid Should See This |Published on: April 27, 2021
Videos
6789101112
Synopsis
This video explains how forest gardens yield crops in a more sustainable and resilient manner.
Students will be introduced to forest gardener Martin Crawford, whose forest garden in South West England produces more than 500 types of edible plants.
The video shows how this form of agroforestry provides natural protection for crops during severe weather events, which are likely to increase because of climate change.
Students will be intrigued by the stark differences between forest gardens and monoculture.
Beautiful cinematography makes this video engaging.
Prerequisites
Students should be familiar with the terms temperate, succession, annual, perennial, cultivated, and resilience.
Differentiation & Implementation
Science classes can design their own forest gardens using the seven layers mentioned in the video (high trees, smaller trees, shrubs, perennials, ground cover, root crops, and climbers). Students can find two or three plant species for each layer of their forest garden and make slideshows to present their gardens to the class.
Biology classes can discuss how forest gardens can fight climate change (e.g., trees can sequester carbon, deep root systems prevent erosion, and forest gardens do not require tilling, fertilizers, or pesticides).
Other resources on this topic include this video on the traditional Maya Milpa farming cycle, this Ecosia video on a forest garden in Senegal, and this lesson plan on carbon and food.
Scientist Notes
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
About the Partner Provider
The Kid Should See This
The Kid Should See This is a Webby award-winning collection of over 7,000 kid-friendly videos, curated for teachers and parents who want to share smarter, more meaningful media in the classroom and at home. Selections are grown-up-friendly, too. And thanks to TKSST members, it’s free and ad-free for everyone. Start conversations, spark questions, and inspire offline exploration for all ages.
Related Teaching Resources
All resources can be used for your educational purposes with proper attribution to the content provider.