Our family is in our third year of studying the history of the United States using this Masterbooks curriculum. Last spring we learned about the pioneers heading West and I developed a unit study to dive deep into that topic. This spring, we are learning all about World War 2. The goal was for my kids to think about what it would have been like for US families during the war because we are studying US history specifically. I decided that studying victory gardens and planting our own would be a great way to consider life for US citizens during that time*. So, I developed my own home school World War 2 victory garden unit study.
Books we used for this unit study:
Victory Garden Guide– This book is a compilation of three pamphlets published by the US government in 1942 and 1943 to help both communities and individual citizens set up and maintain victory gardens. As stated on the front, it is: “a compilation of facts, figures, tables and charts to make backyard gardening easy”. Also from the front cover: “containing full information on what, when and how to plant and grow the vegetables your nation needs”. Depending on the grade level of your child(ren) I would recommend going through this book alongside them. When we went through this book I especially emphasized the reasons victory gardens were important during the war. You can find that information at the beginning of the book on page 2.
Meet Molly– I read this American Girl book when I was elementary school age. The book introduces the character Molly, who is a young girl living in the year 1944 and has a father serving as a doctor overseas in the war. It showcases life in the US during the time of the war, but is still fun and entertaining for young readers. The first chapter introduces the idea of victory gardens and how the family grew one to contribute to the war effort.
Vegetable Gardening in the Pacific Northwest- This is the book I used because we live in the PNW. I would recommend finding a guide to vegetable gardening specific to the area in which you live. The book will help your students plan out their ideal victory garden.
Botany science books– see science section below.
Assignments for our unit study
After studying WW2 and victory gardens, it’s time to plan your victory garden!
Students can use both the Victory Garden Guide as well as a local vegetable gardening book to plan their garden. Help them measure the space they will be using for their garden. Then they can draw out the plans for their garden. Remind them to think about which vegetables are planted in the different seasons. They will also need to consider how much space to give each row of plants. The Victory Garden Guide is a helpful resource- just as it was for the US citizens in war time.
The Victory Garden Guide is very insistent upon succession planting throughout the seasons to maximize your garden. Students can make a chart of which vegetables they will plant in which season. Whichever local vegetable garden guidebook you decide to use can help your children with this chart.
(Here is one way to organize your seeds after you have planned out your garden and purchased your seeds.)
Of course, the main project will be carrying out the planting, tending, and harvesting of the student’s own victory garden. No matter the size of their garden, children will feel a sense of accomplishment when they get to eat vegetables from a garden that they planned out and tended.
Incorporating science into this unit study
The biology behind plants germinating and developing can easily be included in this study. Students can also learn what plants need to live and the different parts of the plant. They can also study pollination and photosynthesis.
A simple way to observe germination and label the basic parts of a germinated seed is by sprouting beans in a mason jar. Here are the easy steps to do this:
- Moisten a paper towel and tuck it inside a mason jar so that it is in a circular shape touching the sides of the jar.
- Tuck beans between the paper towel and the glass sides of the jar
- Place the jar in a warm place. Check daily to make sure the towel remains moist.
- Watch your beans sprout within 3-5 days.
- As soon as they begin to sprout put them in a warm place where they will receive sunlight.
A few days after the beans have sprouted have your children remove them from the jar and label the various parts of the germinated bean plant. Then they can plant the bean and continue to watch it grow.
the botany books that we used
If you are looking for a science textbook to go along with your victory garden unit study, we have used Exploring Creation with Botany by Jeannie Fulbright. I would definitely recommend this book as a fascinating in-depth botany book. It is geared towards upper elementary and middle school aged children.
We also used Usborne’s Science with Plants. This book is simpler and could work well for a unit study that will only last a few weeks.
I hope that this gives you all sorts of ideas for your own victory garden study! My hope was to help history come to life for my kids while also teaching them science and getting some gardening done at the same time…
Happy learning and gardening!
* Yes, “victory gardens” originated in the US during World War 1. However, we happen to be studying World War 2 right as the planting season is about to begin, so we are specifically studying WW2 victory gardens.
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