University of Wisconsin
Noting Notable Features for Rain Gardens
Eight groups in your class are each responsible for a different aspect of surveying the campus for a suitable rain garden location. Features to consider include water flow, topography, sun/shade patterns, land surface, vegetation,...
Curated OER
Beautiful Soil
Students discover what are the components of soil. They examine how it is formed and it's importance. They engage in garden activities and processes. They hold a handful of garden soil and describe what they see. They take a...
Curated OER
Soil Testing and Texturing
Young scholars are introduced to soil textures and why they are important in examining soil quality. They find out how to feel the difference between soil textures. Pupils describe which soil texture is best for gardens and growing...
Curated OER
Preparing and Planting the Garden
Students prepare to build and plant a garden. In this service learning lesson, students take all the necessary steps to prepare a community garden for planting and reflect on the experience.
Curated OER
What Plants Need in Order to Survive and Grow: Soil
Young scholars conduct an experiment to evaluate whether plants need soil to survive and grow. They plant two seeds, one with soil and one without, make predictions, and record and analyze the seed germination results on a worksheet.
Captain Planet Foundation
Worm Your Way Out of This
How can you provide healthy soil for your garden? Study worms, bacteria, and other microorganisms in a lesson about decomposition and organic compost. After discussing what you know about worms and watching a video, watch what worms do...
Curated OER
Soil Soakers
Students work together to discover the relationship between water holding and drainage characteristics of soils. They record their observations and discuss the results. They examine particle size and pore sizes as well.
Curated OER
What Kind of Garden Would Grow in Our Schoolyard?
Students perform soil tests for pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, composition and water percolation rate and assess the conditions in the schoolyard.
Curated OER
Lesson 12: Ho'olaulima: Let's Make a Hawaiian Garden
Second graders grow a classroom garden that acts as a living laboratory for cross-curricular activities. In this classroom garden lesson, 2nd graders follow directions to build and plant a garden that is used to teach math, science, and...
Curated OER
Soil Recipe
Learners examine the components of soil. They work together to use different materials to create their own soil. They make their own dirt cake as well.
Curated OER
Building a Butterfly Garden
Students examine the habitat and life cycle of a butterfly. In this early childhood lesson plan, students identify the parts of a butterfly, as well as the stages of the butterfly life cycle. Students also plant a garden in which they...
Curated OER
Preparing the Soil
Students explore the concept of philanthropy. In this service learning lesson, students read Seedfolks and discuss the characters in the story and consider their actions that led to a community garden. Students journal about their...
University of Wisconsin
Measuring Slope for Rain Gardens
The slope of the land is an important feature when considering the erosion that will occur. In this resource, which is part of a rain garden unit, learners calculate the slope of the proposed garden site. Even if you are not planning a...
Curated OER
Gardening in Containers
Students plant a garden. In this gardening lesson plan, students use containers to plant a garden. This lesson plan provides a good source of information for teachers who wish to begin their class's own container garden.
Curated OER
Getting the Dirt on Soils
Students examine soils and the components that make them up. In this hands-on soil science instructional activity, students receive soil samples and must identify the various aspect which make up soil.
Curated OER
Reworking a Butterfly Garden
Sixth graders determine how physical and biological agents and processes form and affect the soil. They analyze soil properties. Students evaluate ways in which human activities have affected the earth's pedosphere.
Curated OER
Garden In a Glove
Students investigate the concept of seeds and how they can germinate. They obtain seeds and isolate them in a rubber glove before transplanting them into the ground. The lesson includes a graphic organizer for observations or information.
Curated OER
The Alphabet Garden
Third graders transplant, tend and observe a plant for each letter of the alphabet in a school garden. They work individually to research and select a plant that will grow in their local climate. Students then care for and observe the...
Curated OER
Conservation in Small Places - Composting
A fabulous lesson introduces the art of composting to your gardeners. In it, youngsters learn about the composting process and how it actually works. They discuss the environmental benefits of composting, and use the "lasagna" method...
Curated OER
Oyster Gardens - No Soil Required!
Explore the practice of oyster gardening. Because oysters play a vital role in marine ecosystems and their populations have declined, biologists are transplanting oyster seed to repopulate reefs. After learning about this practice,...
University of Wisconsin
Sizing a Rain Garden
Most appropriate if you are applying the entire unit to build a rain garden at your school, this installment involves calculating the area that will drain into it. Your garden planners will need data from previous lessons, so this one...
Education Outside
Animal Homes in the Garden
First graders journey to the school garden to examine the habitats of garden animals. Using the provided graphic organizer, kids locate and sketch a critter and its habitat before returning it to its home.
Curated OER
Science in the Garden
Students examine soil from their local environment. In this garden lesson, students recognize the importance of soil in the garden. Students explore the contents of the local soil.
Curated OER
Soil Testing and Measurement
Students prepare their garden plot. In this gardening lesson plan, students use the Internet or book on plants to make sure the plants they have selected will be able to grow in their garden. The students assess and mark out the garden...