Humans and plants have been inextricably linked throughout history. We utterly depend on them for more than the life-sustaining oxygen they produce during photosynthesis. They have long been the source of medicines, fibers, cosmetics, and more; inspired art, poetry, and music; and featured prominently in religious rituals and folklore.

Consider the opportunities for using plants and gardens as a lens for exploring world geography, historical eras, and contemporary cultures. After all, different cultures have had unique relationships with certain plants. Many Native American cultures, for instance, had corn gods and special corn-sowing dances. A Medieval herb garden project can help illuminate what life was like during that time period.

Your school gardeners might also recognize the diverse cultures represented in the classroom, school, and local community by raising appropriate thematic gardens: a traditional Native American planting or a Mexican (or salsa), Asian, or African American garden.

Rather than study historical people/plant relationships via an era or culture, you might instead focus on a particular plant. Many of our common garden denizens have fascinating life histories. (In the Middle Ages, for instance, the greens of onions were thought to be aphrodisiacs!)

We hope these classroom stories, articles, and Web sites will inspire lively living history and social studies projects.

Page 2 Ethnobotany: The People/Plant Connection - From our morning breakfast cereal to our cotton sheets, we depend on plants for survival. Learn their life stories and how cultures have used and revered them through history.

Page 3 Cultivating History Lessons. Fourth graders glean plant memories and recipes from grandparents and others, research selected plants, and grow an ethnically rich garden.

Page 4 Sowing Seeds of Understanding: Native American Gardening. Inspired by an online exchange, elementary students researched the culture, folklore, and science behind "three sisters" gardens before creating their own.

Page 5 Cultivating Cross-Culturally. Learn what crops groups of at-risk youngsters in Texas planted and tended in their African-American, Asian, and other ethnic gardens

Page 6 Aromatic History: Herbs in Colonial Life. As fifth graders reenacted life in colonial America, they raised healing herbs and even tried some safe remedies.

Page 7 Aromatic Lessons: Herbal Adventures. Eighth graders bring a historical novel to life by planting herbs in their school literature garden that were featured in the book.

Page 8 Historic Herbal Theme Gardens. Middle schoolers created a living history project: five herb gardens representing different continents and eras.

Page 9 Resources - Web sites and grants to help you grow cultural connections.