Are you looking for innovative ways to teach your homeschoolers? Look no further than garden-based lesson plans! Not only will kids learn about sustainable agriculture and gardening practices, but they’ll also get hands-on experience with growing their own food. In this blog post, we’ve compiled creative garden-based lesson plans that will engage and inspire your young learners. Let’s dig in!
Lesson Plan 1: Planting Seeds and Exploring their Life Cycle
In this lesson plan, students will learn about the life cycle of a plant by planting their own seeds. They will also explore the different parts of a plant and how they help the plant to grow. Students will need access to a garden or potted plants.
This lesson plan is designed to be flexible, so that it can be adapted to fit the needs of your students. It can be done over one or two days, depending on how much time you have.
On day one, start by asking your students what they know about plants. Write down their ideas on a whiteboard or chalkboard. Then, explain that in this lesson they will be learning about the life cycle of a plant by planting their own seeds. Give each student a seed packet and have them choose one seed to plant.
Next, have students fill a small pot with soil and water it well. Help them to make a small hole in the soil and then drop their seed inside. Once all of the seeds are planted, put the pots in a sunny spot and water them regularly.
As the seeds begin to grow, talk with your students about what they are observing. Ask questions such as: What do you see happening? How does the plant look different from when you first planted it? What do you think the next stage in its life cycle will be?
Once the plants have grown tall enough, have students cut off one of the leaves near the bottom of the stem.
Lesson Plan 2: Composting and Soil Health
In this lesson, kids can learn about composting and how it can improve the health of our soil. Start by discussing what compost is and why it is important. Then, help kids go outside and collect some leaves and other organic matter to add to a compost bin. Finally, talk about how kids can use compost to improve the health of soil and grow healthier plants.
Step by step composting guide for kids
Learn how to compost with this step by step guide for kids! Composting is a great way to reduce waste and help the environment.
1. Find a location for your compost bin. It should be in an open area that gets plenty of sunlight. If you have a backyard, that’s perfect! If not, any sunny spot will do.
2. Set up your bin or container. You can use a store-bought bin, or make your own out of a trash can or other large container. Drill some holes in the bottom for drainage and place it on top of a piece of cardboard to keep the grass beneath it from getting too wet.
3. Start adding materials to your bin! This can include things like vegetable and fruit scraps, coffee grounds, eggshells, and more. Avoid adding meat or dairy products, as these will attract pests.
4. Once your bin is full, cover it with a lid or tarp to keep the materials inside from drying out. Every few days, stir everything around to help speed up the composting process.
5. After about two months, your compost should be ready to use! Spread it on your garden beds or mix it into potting soil for extra nutrients. Congratulations – you’ve just completed the cycle of decomposition!
Fun Composting Activities for Kids
There are many fun composting activities for kids! Here are a few ideas:
1. Have a compost bin race! See who can fill their bin the fastest with fruit and vegetable scraps.
2. Make a homemade compost bin out of recycled materials.
3. Decorate a plain compost bin to make it more fun and inviting for kids.
4. Organize a neighborhood or school-wide compost drive, and see how much waste you can divert from the landfill!
5. Get creative with your food scraps and see what new and interesting compost creations you can make.
Lesson Plan 3: The Water Cycle and Hydroponics
In this lesson plan, students will learn about the water cycle and how it relates to hydroponics. They will conduct an experiment to see how plants grow in different types of water (fresh, salt, and polluted), and then discuss what they observed.
There are many fun and interactive activities and experiments that can help kids learn about the water cycle and hydroponics. Here are a few examples:
-A simple experiment that demonstrates the water cycle is to fill a clear container with water and then place it in the sun. As the water evaporates, it will condense on the sides of the container and eventually drip back down into the water. This experiment can be repeated with different containers (e.g., a dark one) to show how sunlight affects evaporation.
-To learn about how plants absorb water through their roots, try this hydroponics experiment: Fill a clear container with water and add some white vinegar. Then, place a piece of lettuce or another plant in the container. Observe over time how the plant’s roots grow and change color as they absorb the nutrients from the water.
-For a more in-depth look at how hydroponics works, set up a mini hydroponics system using recycled materials (plastic bottles, for example). Follow instructions online or from a book to properly set up your system, then observe how plants grow without soil.
Here are a few more lesson plans!
– Building a Model of the Water Cycle
In order to teach kids about the water cycle and hydroponics, it is important to first build a model of the water cycle. This can be done with a variety of materials, but we recommend using recycled materials so that it is both eco-friendly and cost effective. For example, you can use an empty plastic soda bottle, some gravel, soil, and a few small plants.
To start, cut the bottom off of the plastic soda bottle. Next, fill the bottle with gravel until it is about ¼ full. Then, add soil on top of the gravel until the bottle is about ½ full. After that, add water to the bottle until it is about ¾ full. Finally, add your small plants.
Once your model is complete, you can use it to help explain how the water cycle works. For example, you can show how water evaporates from the soil and collects on the leaves of plants before eventually falling back down to the ground as precipitation. You can also use your model to demonstrate how plants play an important role in the water cycle by helping to purify water as it moves through their roots.
– Investigating Plants in Soil vs. Hydroponic Systems
In this lesson, students will investigate how plants grow in different types of soil and compare the results. They will plant seeds in both soil and hydroponic systems and observe the germination process over time. They will also measure the growth of the plants and compare the results. By the end of the lesson, students will have a better understanding of how plants grow in different types of environments and the factors that affect plant growth.
– Growing a Plant in a Bottle or Jar
If you’re looking for a fun and interactive way to teach kids about the water cycle and hydroponics, then growing a plant in a bottle or jar is the perfect activity! All you need is a clear container, some rocks or pebbles, a plant, and some water.
To start, fill your container with rocks or pebbles. This will help drainage and ensure that your plant doesn’t get too much water. Next, add your plant. You can either grow hydroponic plants (plants that don’t need soil) or regular plants in soil. If you’re using soil, make sure to add enough so that the roots have something to grip onto. Finally, add water until the roots are covered.
Place your container in a sunny spot and check on it daily to make sure the roots are getting enough water. As the water evaporates, it will create condensation on the sides of the container. This condensation will eventually drip down and wet the roots again, completing the water cycle!
Lesson Plan 4: Insects, Bees, and Pollinators
Insects, bees, and pollinators are an important part of the ecosystem. They help to pollinate plants and keep the environment healthy. In this lesson plan, students will learn about the different types of insects, bees, and pollinators. They will also learn about the importance of these creatures in the ecosystem. Here are some fun activities to help your child learn more about these amazing creatures.
- Go on an insect safari! Look for insects in your backyard or local park. See how many different types of insects you can find!
- Make a bee or butterfly feeder. Fill a small container with sugar water or fruit juice and place it outside near some flowers. Watch to see if any bees or butterflies come to visit!
- Plant a pollinator-friendly garden. Include flowers that attract bees and butterflies, like lavender, daisies, and sunflowers.
- Build a home for solitary bees. Solitary bees don’t live in hives like honeybees do. You can provide them with a safe place to build their nests by making a bee house out of a block of wood with small holes drilled into it.
- Learn more about the life cycle of bees and butterflies. What do they look like as larvae? What kind of food do they eat? How do they transform into adults?
Lesson Plan 5: Plant Adaptations and Climate Change
In this lesson, students will learn about how plants adapt to different climates and how climate change can affect plant populations. When teaching young students about plant adaptations, engaging activities and discussions are key to keeping their attention and fostering their understanding. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
-Show them pictures or videos of different plants from around the world and ask them to identify the various adaptations each one has.
-Get them up and moving with a game of “spot the adaptation.” Scatter all sorts of objects around the room (leaves, rocks, twigs, etc.) and have students race to find ones that demonstrate an adaptation.
-Challenge them to come up with their own ways that plants could adapt to climate change. Brainstorm as a class or let them work in small groups.
Lesson Plan 6: Plant Nutrition, Photosynthesis
In this lesson, students will learn about how plants get the nutrients they need to grow and how they make their own food through photosynthesis. They will also conduct an experiment to see how different light conditions affect plant growth.
Materials:
-Several potted plants of different varieties
-Grow lights (if necessary)
-Plant food/fertilizer
-Water
-Paper and pencils for each student
Procedure:
- Discuss with students the different ways that plants get the nutrients they need to grow. Have them brainstorm a list of possible sources of plant nutrition (soil, water, air, sunlight, etc.).
- Explain that plants also produce their own food through photosynthesis. Ask students if they know what photosynthesis is and how it works. If necessary, give a brief explanation of the process.
- Tell students that they will be conducting an experiment to see how different light conditions affect plant growth.
- Set up the experiment by placing the potted plants in different areas of your home or classroom, making sure to label each plant with its variety name.
- Observe and record plant growth over a period of time, taking care to note any differences in growth rates or patterns between the plants in different light conditions.
- Discuss your observations as a class and try to explain why you think the plants responded the way they did to the different light
Lesson Plan 7: Planting a Pizza Garden from The Imagination Tree
This activity is perfect for young kids who love pizza (and what kid doesn’t?). They’ll learn about the different ingredients that go into their favorite food as they plant and grow their own tomatoes, basil, and oregano.
What You’ll Need for a Pizza Garden:
-1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
-1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
-1/4 teaspoon salt
-1/4 teaspoon black pepper
-1 (24-ounce) can tomatoes, drained and diced
-1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
-1 tablespoon sugar
-2 tablespoons olive oil
-1 pound fresh mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced
-8 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated
-1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil leaves
Preparing the Soil and Planting Seeds
If you want to grow the perfect pizza garden, you need to start with preparing the soil. The Imagination Tree recommends using a spade or trowel to dig up any weeds, then mixing in some organic compost to improve drainage and add nutrients. Once your soil is ready, it’s time to plant your seeds!
The Imagination Tree suggests using a seed-starting mix and planting three or four seeds per pot. Once your seedlings have sprouted, thin them out so that only the strongest plant remains. When it’s time to transplant your seedlings into the garden, be sure to space them out so that they have room to grow. With a little care and attention, you’ll soon have a thriving pizza garden!
Lesson Plan 8: Flower Dissection from Life Lab Science Program
Older kids will enjoy this flower dissection activity from Life Lab Science Program. They’ll learn about the parts of a flower and how they work together to help the plant grow. This is a great way to introduce basic biology concepts.
Necessary Materials for a Successful Lesson
In order to successfully complete the lesson and activity, you will need:
-1 white carnation
-1 red carnation
-1 pink carnation
-1 set of sharp scissors
-1 clear plastic cup (6 oz. or larger)
-Water
-Food coloring (optional)
First, fill the cup with water. If desired, add a few drops of food coloring to the water. Cut the end off of each stem at an angle, about 1” from the bottom of the flower. Place the flowers in the cup of water so that the cut stems are submerged. Make sure that the blooms are not touching each other or the sides of the cup. Leave your flowers overnight so that they can absorb water and be “fresh” for your dissection.
Step by Step Instructions on How to Dissect Flowers
Assuming you have your flower and tools ready, follow these steps for a successful flower dissection:
1.Using a sharp knife, cut the stem of the flower about an inch from the base of the blossom.
2.Next, cut off any leaves that are attached to the stem.
3.Now you will want to carefully peel back the petals of the flower. Take your time with this step and be careful not to tear or damage the delicate petals.
4.Once the petals have been removed, you should be able to see the reproductive organs of the flower (stamen and pistil).
5.Using tweezers, pluck out the stamen (the male reproductive organ) from the center of the flower. The stamen is made up of two parts: the anther (the pollen-producing part) and the filament (the stalk that supports the anther).
6.Now take a close look at the pistil (the female reproductive organ). The pistil is usually located in the center of the flower and is made up of three parts: The stigma (the sticky part that receives pollen), The style (the stalk that connects the stigma to ovary), and The ovary (the bottom part where seed development takes place).
7.That’s it! You have now successfully dissected a flower!
Lesson Plan 9: Build Your Own Greenhouse from Growing a Jeweled Rose
In this activity, kids will design and build their own mini greenhouses. They’ll learn about the benefits of greenhouse gardening and how to create an optimal environment for plants to grow. This is a great project for older kids who are interested in engineering or architecture.
The first step is to gather your materials. You will need some clear plastic sheeting, PVC pipe, duct tape, and zip ties. You can find all of these items at your local hardware store.
Next, you will need to cut the plastic sheeting into pieces that will fit over the top and sides of the PVC frame. Make sure to leave enough excess plastic so that you can secure it with the zip ties.
Now it’s time to assemble the frame. Simply connect the pieces of PVC pipe together using the duct tape. Once the frame is complete, you can start attaching the plastic sheeting. Use the zip ties to secure the sheets in place.
Now that your greenhouse is complete, you can add some soil and plants! Help your kids choose some seeds or starts that they would like to grow, and then let them get to work planting and watering their new plants. With a little care and attention, they will soon have a thriving garden!