Lesson Plans for School Gardens

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Lesson Plans for School Gardens

School Gardening Resource File Earth Science, Life Science and Nutrition Grades 3-5

Web-based and Aligned with MA Curriculum Frameworks

by Marian Hazzard and Sandra Johnson



MA Standard 1: Earth and Space Science Grades 3-5

1.4 Soil: Explain and give examples of the ways in which soil is formed (the weathering of rock by water and wind from the decomposition of plant and animal remains).


Lesson plan: Students sort soil into component parts. Soil Ingredients

Lesson plan designed to familiarize students with what plants need to grow well. [1]

Online game adventures about soil. Uses magnification The Dirt on Soil - Learning Adventures 

  [ http://school.discoveryeducation.com/schooladventures/soil/soil_safari.html]

Lesson plan: Shows how farming practices in the early 20th century contributed to severe soil erosion of a large portion of the North American grasslands to create the “Dust Bowl.” [2]

Two power points show kids making compost-photos, simple, clear [3] [4]

Lesson plan: What plants need to grow (Could be adapted for use with grade 5.) [5]

How to set up a kitchen worm compost bin (2 sites) [6] [7]

Fact sheet about compost-Useful tidbits written for kids [8]

How-tos of the “lasagna method” of composting [9] Two articles promoting compost education for kids http://www.ecomall.com/greenshopping/sdkids.htm [10]


1.5 Soil: Recognize and discuss the different properties of soil, including color, texture (size of particles), the ability to retain water, and the ability to support the growth of plants.

Lesson plan: Students sort soil into component parts. Soil Ingredients

Lesson plan: Designed to familiarize students with what plants need to grow well [11]

Online game adventures about soil The Dirt on Soil - Learning Adventures Soil Safari is especially fun. 

   [12]


1.9 Weather: Differentiate between weather and climate.

Lesson plan: Asks students to consider weather and climate in their home region and to think about the ways in which people complain about the weather. Includes climate map and average temperatures and precipitation by using a weather web site. [13]

On-line tutorial about climate change: Simplified explanations for grade 5. Good images. Additional links to more tutorials including: factors affecting climate, air masses, fronts, cyclones, etc. tm


1.10 The Water Cycle: Describe how water on earth cycles in different forms and in different locations, including underground and in the atmosphere

Lesson plan: Students model the water cycle. Includes worksheet, discussion questions, and extensions. [14]

Animated video with narration showing the various aspects comprising the water cycle Thirstin's Water Cycle

Diagram of the water cycle [15]

1.11 The Water Cycle: Give examples of how the cycling of water, both in and out of the atmosphere, has an effect on climate.

Lesson plan: Designed to give students a better perception of earth's oceans and to understand earth's water cycle. http://sciencenetlinks.com/lessons.php?BenchmarkID=4&DocID=162

Extensive curriculum map of concepts and core content about the effect of the water cycle on climate (See “Science-Grades 4-5) http://www.carroll.kyschools.us/Curriculum/indx.html



MA Standard 2: Life Science Grades 3-5

2.1 Characteristics of Plants and Animals: Classify plants and animals according to the physical characteristics that they share.

Question and answer games to teach the characteristics of plants and trees. Includes pictures and simple, but interesting text. http://www.zephyrus.co.uk/plantsoranimals.html

Grab-bag of links to information about plant/animal classification http://www.fi.edu/tfi/units/life/classify/classify.html


2.2 Plant Structures and Functions: Identify the structures in plants (leaves, roots, flowers, stem, bark, wood) that are responsible for food production, support, water transport, reproduction, growth, and protection.

Lesson plan identifying and describing the parts of a flowering plant, differentiate between types of plants, describe the needs of plants, define the term photosynthesis. All About Plants - Lesson Plan Library

Simplified diagram of a flower http://www.jmgkids.us/media/monster_flower_diagram.pdf

Lesson plan about citrus fruits from CA citrus fruit industry: Detailed. Includes worksheets. http://www.cfaitc.org/LessonPlans/pdf/602.pdf


Diagram showing different types of root systems in cross-section http://www.il.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/plants/npg/images/NPGp5_rootsys.gif


Smithsonian materials for educators. Detailed content information and lesson plans for teachers about plants. Lesson plans can be linked to curriculum frameworks for any state. (Search under “Science” heading) Reading level appropriate for grade 5. Colored photos. Topics covered include: Overview, Photosynthesis, Basic Structure, Xylem-Phloem, Reproduction, Special Structures, Mosses & Liverworts, Ferns & Horsetails, Gymnosperms, Angiosperms, Man and Plants Note especially: “Partners in Pollination,” Lessons 1,2, and 3 for Grade 5 http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/educators/lesson_plans/lesson_plans.html

Explains plant structure http://www.biology4kids.com/files/plants_structure.html 2.3 Plant Structures and Functions: Recognize that plants and animals go through predictable life cycles that include birth, growth, development, reproduction, and death.

“Fast Plants” web page: A type of brassica which, under ideal growing conditions of continuous light, water, and nutrition, will produce harvestable seeds approximately 40 days after planting. (Seeds can be ordered on line.) Video clips and still photos and drawings of complete Fast Plant life cycle, Fast Plants® : Fast Plant Life Cycle - menu

Online game: Identification of the parts of a flower BBC - Schools Science Clips - Life cycles

Lesson plan; Includes short, captioned, on-line video clips from TV series, “Zoom” http://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/tdc02.sci.life.colt.lp_plantcycle/

Fall Activities with Seeds How-tos for collecting, planting, and germinating seeds from trees: “Coaxing Tree Seeds” http://www.kidsgardening.com/Dig/DigDetail.taf?ID=994&Type=Art

Helpful tips on how to germinate tree seeds successfully: “Rousing Tree Seeds” http://www.kidsgardening.com/Dig/DigDetail.taf?ID=1270&Type=Art

How to collect and save vegetable and flower seeds: “Savvy Seed Saving”: http://www.kidsgardening.com/Dig/DigDetail.taf?ID=844&Type=Art


2.5 Plant Structures and Functions: Differentiate between observed characteristics of plants and animals that are fully inherited (e.g., color of flower, shape of leaves, color of eyes, number of appendages) and characteristics that are affected by the climate or environment (e.g., browning of leaves due to too much sun).

Lesson plan: Instructs on how to identify/describe the parts of a flowering plant, differentiate between types of plants, describe the needs of plants, define the term photosynthesis. All About Plants - Lesson Plan Library

Simplified diagram of a flower http://www.jmgkids.us/media/monster_flower_diagram.pdf

Lesson plan about citrus fruits from CA citrus fruit industry: Detailed. Includes worksheets. http://www.cfaitc.org/LessonPlans/pdf/602.pdf

• Information about the Imax film “Galapagos” at Museum of Science, Boston-Linked to MA Frameworks http://www.mos.org/educators/field_trip_resources/field_trip_activities/imax&d=901


2.7 Adaptations of Living Things: Give examples of how changes in the environment (drought, cold) have caused some plants and animals to die or move to new locations (migration).

Lesson plan: Shows how farming practices in the early 20th century contributed to severe soil erosion of a large portion of the North American grasslands to create the “Dust Bowl.” http://forces.si.edu/ltop/pdfs/2-5-LosingGround.pdf

Plant adaptations in desert areas of U.S.-Excellent and dramatic colored photos http://www.cwnp.org/adaptations.html Narrated video about plant adaptations. Has both macro- and micro-level photography http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fA4rpATxaHU

Adaptations in water plants. Fairly dense, but readable text. Includes a photographic example of a plant in each ecosystem http://www.countrysideinfo.co.uk/wetland_survey/adaptns.htm

Adaptations in alpine plants. Lots of great photos of alpine plants in flower http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/1908/


2.8 Adaptations of Living Things: Recognize plant behaviors, such as the way seedlings' stems grow toward light and their roots grow downward in response to gravity. Recognize that many plants and animals can survive harsh environments because of seasonal behaviors, e.g., in winter, some trees shed leaves, some animals hibernate, and other animals migrate.

Glossary of tropisms in plants http://www.botanical-online.com/lasplantasmovimientosvegetalesangles.htm

A collection of video clips of plant behaviors including tropisms and germination. Includes instructions for making time lapse movies and projects. http://plantsinmotion.bio.indiana.edu/plantmotion/starthere.html

Lesson plan: “The Importance of Tropisms” http://school.discoveryeducation.com/lessonplans/programs/tropisms/

Video clips: “Tropisms of Plants in Space and on Earth”- http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Tropisms_of_Plants.html

2.11 Energy and Living Things: Describe how energy derived from the sun is used by plants to produce sugars (photosynthesis) and is transferred within a food chain from producers (plants) to consumers to decomposers.

Video about food chains and webs http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngexplorer/0309/quickflicks/

Lesson plan: Students construct food webs to learn how food chains are interconnected. http://forces.si.edu/ltop/pdfs/2-5-WeavingTheWeb.pdf

Simplified explanation of photosynthesis with graphics (1 page)-Offers many other links to explanations in same format about plant structure, development, reproductions, etc. http://www.biology4kids.com/files/plants_photosynthesis.html


Explains photosynthesis from the standpoint of trees http://www.realtrees4kids.org/sixeight/letseat.htm

Visual of the food chain http://www.planetpals.com/foodchain.html

Two food chain games: http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/content/animals/kidscorner/games/foodchaingame.htm http://www.zephyrus.co.uk/plantsoranimals.html

Producers and decomposers http://www.geography4kids.com/files/land_foodchain.html

Decomposers and scavengers http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/nwep11.htm



MA Standard 3: Nutrition Grades K through 5

By the end of grade 5 students will gain the knowledge and skills to select a diet that supports health and reduces the risk of illness and future chronic diseases [and be able to:

3.1 Improving Nutrition: Identify the key nutrients in food that support 

      healthy body systems (skeletal, circulatory) and recognize that the 
      amount of food needed changes as the body grows.

3.2 Improving Nutrition: Use the USDA Food Guide Pyramid and its three major concepts of balance, variety, and moderation to plan healthy meals and snacks.

3.3 Improving Nutrition: Recognize hunger and satiety cues and how to make food decisions based upon these cues.

3.4 Improving Nutrition: Identify heredity, diet, and physical activity as key factors in body shape and size.

3.5 Safe and Adequate Food Supply: Identify the connection between food served in the home with regional food production.

3.6 Safe and Adequate Food Supply: Describe personal hygiene and safety 

       measures used in preparing foods.

3.7 Social Influences: Describe how food choices are influenced by availability, individual and family preferences, media, and background, and identify healthy foods within various social groups.

Resources related to Nutrition Instruction

MyPyramid for Kids Classroom Materials: Educational materials developed at the elementary school level to help children learn the MyPyramid food guidance system. Lesson plans for teachers are available in three levels: Level 1 (grades 1-2); Level 2 (grades 3-4); and Level 3 (grades 5-6). http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/Resources/mypyramidclassroom.html

Fruit and Vegetable Encyclopedia/Nutrition Database: Descriptive information and facts about 25 common fruits and vegetables plus links to lots of nutritional information. Easy access for intermediate elementary students http://www.dole5aday.com/HTML/Kids/Nutrition%20Database/Encyclopedia.html#

Instructional Materials in Nutrition: Many links to websites about nutrition education http://www.cln.org/subjects/nutrition_inst.html





Hunger Awareness

Kids Can Make a Difference The Kids Can Make a Difference Guide helps students answer difficult questions dealing with hunger and poverty and move beyond negative feelings into constructive actions that show that they can make a difference in their community, country and world. http://www.kidscanmakeadifference.org/teac.php

OxFam of America’s rationale and strategy for eliminating hunger worldwide http://www.oxfamamerica.org/publications/act-fast-sourcebook/ One lesson from the New York Times archive of

“New York Times on the Web” archive of lessons for grades 3-12 http://www.nytimes.com/learning/ 

  Sample lesson:
  http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/19990201monday_print.html

Hunger Task Force: The mission of this organization is to end and prevent hunger through educating the public to understand the scope of poverty and hunger and respond with appropriate action. Offers ideas for engaging students on hunger issues and links to many other resource materials. http://www.hungertaskforce.org/understanding_hunger/resources_links/teachers.php


http://www.hungernomore.org/web_resources.html http://www.inquirylearn.com/youth_hunger_brigade_rtf.pdf http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/18/g68/tghunger.html http://www.heifer.org/site/c.mmKTJbNUJrF/b.5018143/k.BDA0/Home/apps/nl/newsletter2.asp

“Food for Thought” Hunger Awareness Activity New Community Project For younger groups in schools and other community groups (12 page PDF)


Christina Aguilera’s website “From Hunger to Hope” http://www.fromhungertohope.com/?gclid=CMu-lri56ZsCFQxM5QodaAST6w


World Savvy “World Savvy was founded in San Francisco in response to a critical need for youth to acquire global knowledge and 21st century skills, but a conspicuous absence of global education programs in K-12 education in the Unites States.” http://worldsavvy.org/about/mission.php

U.S. Working Group on the Food Crisis “We do not view the food crisis as an unexpected, sudden emergency of the last year, but as the inevitable consequence of the development of a long list of misguided agricultural and food policies over the last 30+ years.

“We believe that we will not resolve the problems exposed by this food crisis by applying more of the same policies and thinking that caused the crisis in the first place. Nothing less than a wholesale change in the worldwide food system will allow us to address these problems sustainably and equitably.” www.usfoodcrisisgroup.org


Why Hunger “WHY is dedicated to fighting the root causes of hunger and poverty by supporting grassroots organizations that create self-reliance, economic justice, and equal access to nutritious and affordable food.” www.whyhunger.org

Growing Power, Inc, Growing Power is a national nonprofit organization and land trust supporting people from diverse backgrounds, and the environments in which they live, by helping to provide equal access to healthy, high-quality, safe and affordable food for people in all communities. Growing Power implements this mission by providing hands-on training, on-the-ground demonstration, outreach and technical assistance through the development of Community Food Systems that help people grow, process, market and distribute food in a sustainable manner. http://www.growingpower.org/ Will Allen, Urban Farmer See “Street Farmer,” by Elizabeth Royte, NYT Magazine, 7-1-09 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/05/magazine/05allen-t.html

Nutrition Education-Extensive list of resources from the state of VA with many lesson plans http://healthsmartva.pwnet.org/resources/grade_5/5_2_b.php

Feeding Minds, Fighting Hunger: A World Without Hunger “…an international classroom for exploring the problems of hunger, malnutrition and food insecurity. Feeding Minds Fighting Hunger designed to help equip and encourage teachers, students and young people all over the world to actively participate in creating a world free from hunger.” http://www.feedingminds.org/

Children as Stewards Google “EXPLORING SOCIAL ACTION Grade Level Curriculum Area Overview”- PDF 


                       Teacher Resources

Farm to school programs connect schools with local farms with the objectives of serving healthy meals in school cafeterias, improving student nutrition, providing health and nutrition education opportunities that will last a lifetime, and supporting local small farmers. (Links to some farm to school websites are provided below.)

National Farm to School http://www.farmtoschool.org/

Curriculum resources lists: farm to school connections, sustainability, gardening, etc. 

  http://www.farmtoschool.org/publications.php?pt=howt

National Farm to School Association http://www.nhfarmtoschool.org/curriculum.html

Farm to school manual from the state of GA-66 pages http://localplace.org/images/stories/go%20farm%20to%20school%20packet.pdf

Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom http://www.aginclassroom.org/ or http://www.umass.edu/umext/mac/index.html MassAg in the Classroom’s mission is to connect schools to agriculture and farming in MA. Lesson plans, newsletters, resources, mini-grants, and more.

Farm-based Education Association http://www.farmbasededucation.org/page/things-we-really-like

Tower Hill Botanic Garden, Boylston, MA library and education center http://www.towerhillbg.org/thweblibrary.html

CitySprouts, Cambridge, MA The mission of CitySprouts is to develop, implement and maintain school gardens in collaboration with public school communities to inspire teachers, students, and families with a deep, hands-on connection to the food cycle, sustainable agriculture, and the natural environment. http://www.citysprouts.org/

Troy Howard Middle School, Belfast, ME Students manage a garden and greenhouse and conduct the business part of the venture. They write business proposals, compose marketing jingles, and research the history of various foods and of Maine agriculture and learn a lot of fundamental math and science in the process. http://www.schoolgardenproject.com/

Regional Environmental Council of Central MA, Worcester, MA REC is a grassroots, non-profit organization dedicated to building healthy, sustainable, and equitable communities through gardening and grassroots environmental action. http://www.recworcester.org/index.html

Extensive curriculum map of concepts and core content about the effect of the water cycle on climate (See “Science-Grades 4-5) http://www.carroll.kyschools.us/Curriculum/indx.html

Science curriculum guide for Falmouth, MA Public Schools linked to MA Frameworks (See link to Grade 5 Science Curriculum Guide for PDF.) http://www.falmouth.k12.ma.us/index.php/home/academics/science#PreK_4

Plant Science for Teachers-On-line course with extensive content information and lesson plans: Title: “The Learning Garden” http://www.kidsgardening.com/onlinecourse/Out.htm

GrowLab: A Complete Guide to Gardening in the Classroom (Teacher Guide) GrowLab: Activities for Growing Minds, National Gardening Association, 1990 Excellent classroom gardening curriculum guide. Call 802-863-1308 to order.

http://www.feedingminds.org/


San Francisco Green Schoolyard Alliance http://sfgreenschools.org/

The California School Garden Network: www.csgn.org Excellent resource for garden-based curriculum and for getting started with school gardens

School Garden Wizard Excellent resource for garden-based curriculum and for getting started with school gardens www.SchoolGardenWizard.org

Youth Garden Grants Program (National Gardening Association) A school can apply for mini garden grants. http://assoc.garden.org/grants/

America the Beautiful Fund A non-profit group that receives seed donations from major seed companies. Sets of 50 packets of vegetables, flowers and herbs are available for the cost of postage and handling. http://www.america-the-beautiful.org/

National Farm to School Network This webpage that discusses how to get started with a farm to school program: http://www.farmtoschool.org/howtostart.php

Webpage that lists curriculum resources http://www.farmtoschool.org/publications.php?pt=curr

Life Lab Science curricula for grade 5 http://www.lifelab.org/


Junior Master Gardeners (Texas) Excellent site for students / “Amazing teacher newsletters” http://www.jmgkids.us/

Book: Hungry Planet: What the World Eats by Peter Menzel Large format photos / Packed with interesting facts and stats

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