JMG Teacher Guide & Youth Handbook (JMG Core Curriculum)
Keep scrolling to see certification options for this curriculum!
Ever suck a bug to study insects or make mud pies to evaluate soil texture? The 2016 revised JMG Teacher & Leader Guide provides elementary teachers with the tools to teach the world of gardening with eight chapters of novel, hands-on and proven lessons. The curriculum also helps develops life skills, includes career exploration and provides opportunities for students to culminate the JMG experience with service-learning projects. As students complete areas of study, they can earn different recognition certifications including designation as Certified Junior Master Gardeners.
Junior Master Gardener Teacher/Leader Guide (416 pp.)
Sample Lessons:
Chapter By Chapter Resources:
click on the chapter icons below to unlock several resources
Curriculum Resources:
The JMG Handbook complements the Level One Teacher/Leader Guide with eight chapters of independent, discovery learning activities for elementary-aged youths. The JMG Youth Handbook is required for students working to earn certification as a Junior Master Gardener.
Junior Master Gardener Handbook (children’s book 192 pp.)
Featured Research
Junior Master Gardener Teacher/Leader Guide and Youth Handbook Science Achievement data:
Growing Minds: The Effect of a School Gardening Program on the Science Achievement of Elementary Students“Students in the experimental group scored significantly higher on the Science achievement test compared to the students in the control group.”
Read more in National Science Teacher Association publication,
NSTA Reports: School Gardens Grow Science Achievement Test Scores
Golden Ray Seriessm Certification
(for students completing requirements in a smaller unit of study)
The Golden Ray Series is recognition offered to youth that complete a small part of the Level One JMG program. Groups can choose to focus on one chapter or topic.
Youth can receive Golden Ray Series certification in any of the eight chapters of the Level One Core Curriculum: Teacher Leader Guide/Youth Handbook and/or from any of the Golden Ray curriculum including Wildlife Gardener, Literature from the Garden or Growing a Vegetable Garden.
- Belong to a registered JMG group.
- Complete any combination of 12 activities in a single chapter(from teacher guide, youth handbook or a combination of both) or from other Golden Ray Series curricula.
- Complete one life skill/career exploration activity from chapter eight.
- Participate in one community service project.
