Growing Gardens for Growing Minds
While having fun, children will learn life sciences and gain an appreciation
for where their food comes from. Young people experience a deeper understanding
of natural systems and become better stewards of the earth, by cultivating and
harvesting their own garden.
A Garden Specialist will visit your school to involve teacher and class in a
"garden" experience. The visit will be 90 minutes and will require the
assistance of parent volunteers and the classroom teacher.
Kindergarten: Dirt Detectives
A close inspection of soil will show students how much work goes into making
soil. Students will plant seeds in different soil types to see the effect this
has on the seed's growth.
1st Grade: Seed Sprouts
By exploring the different parts of a plant and by planning seeds students
will learn about plant life. Students learn what a plant needs to live and how
various plant parts function.
2nd Grade: Busy Bees
Students will discover the art of pollination and look closely for
pollinators in the garden. A closer look at seeds and planning of seeds will
give students an appreciation of the reproduction cycle of a plant.
3rd Grade: Garden Survivors
Both plants and animals adapt to survive. Students will hunt for plant
adaptations and observe animal adaptations in the garden.
4th Grade: Energy Round About
Energy flows in a cyclical pattern in nature. Students will plant seeds and
explore where the seed gets energy to grow. Investigating the compost bin will
allow the decomposition process to come alive before their eyes.
5th Grade: A Plant's Job
Plants work hard to grow. After dissecting a plant, students will look at
each part to see how it helps the plant to grow. Students also explore
photosynthesis and the transport of sugar, nutrients and water.
6th Grade: CSI - Cycling Systems Investigation
Through observing nature in the garden students will discover the ability of
a plant to capture the sun's energy. They will also understand how energy is
transferred from plant to animal.
The program costs $125 for the first class and $100 for each additional class.
Follow up visits are also available if there is interest. Want a Garden
Specialist to come to your class? For more information call (408)
472-4137 or email us at GrowingGardens_ForGrowingMinds@sccoe.org.
