Registration for SY 2019-2020 Kōkua Hawaiʻi Foundation ʻĀINA In Schools Curriculum Trainings for Educators
ʻĀINA In Schools is a farm to school initiative launched in 2006 that connects children to their local land, waters, and food to grow a healthier Hawaiʻi. In addition to encouraging the use of locally grown fruits and vegetables in school meals and snacks, the program includes a standards-based nutrition, garden, and compost curriculum that empowers children to grow their own food, make informed food decisions, and reduce waste.
ʻĀINA In Schools also promotes field trips to local farms, chef cooking demonstrations in classrooms, as well as waste reduction, garden, and cooking educational opportunities for families and community members. The ʻĀINA In Schools program is composed of six integrated components that:
● Address childhood health by fostering healthy eating habits and physical activity;
● Encourage environmental stewardship by connecting children to the land, waters, and food that sustains them; and
● Contribute to a healthy local food system by supporting Hawaiʻi's farmers.
The ʻĀINA In Schools curriculum includes 8 lessons per year for grades K-6 that are standards-based, multi-subject, and hands-on. The curriculum supports a variety of learning styles and covers topics from the Nutrition, Garden, and Waste Reduction components. Successive units enable students to build on previous knowledge while developing a solid foundation in ʻāina-based systems thinking. Nutrition and garden lessons also include close to the source, healthy snacks that reinforce key concepts. ʻĀINA In Schools Curriculum Trainings for Educators enable educators to bring the ʻĀINA In Schools experience to students throughout Hawai‘i and beyond. Lessons meet Common Core, HCPSIII, and NGSS standards for grades K-6 and are easily adaptable for other grades.