Curated OER
Composting and Mulching
Second graders define composting and recognize what can be composted. In this composting and mulching instructional activity, 2nd graders classify objects or pictures as good or bad for composting. Students write a story about life...
Curated OER
Soil Testing and Texturing
Students 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 healthy...
Curated OER
Wives and Mothers in WWII
Eighth graders explore the effect of World War II from a financial standpoint. In this World History lesson, 8th graders review World War II through teacher lecture, reading and viewing pictures and cartoons, then discuss the hardships...
Curated OER
A Pressing Project
Young scholars create a collection of pressed plants. In this plant lesson, students use newspaper, plywood, and a rubberband to press plants they previously collected.
Curated OER
Metamorphosis Magic
Students make different motions for each stage in the butterfly life cycle and plant a garden. In this butterfly life cycle lesson plan, students can take the mini gardens home and discuss how butterflies help gardens.
Curated OER
Find the Shapes in a Picture
Use coloring to remind young learners that geometry is all around them! A simple image of a house, sun, and tree becomes the format for several basic shapes. The instructions direct scholars to trace and color each shape using a...
Curated OER
Plants: Gardening
Young scholars access a variety of gardening-themed websites that present gardening tips and planting activities for kids. They view photographs of plants, take quizzes and conduct hands-on experiments.
Curated OER
The Young Virginia Gardener: Fun With Plants
In this gardening worksheet, students complete lists of things that help plants, hurt them or can do both. Students then read a short passage about how temperature can either help or hurt plants.
Curated OER
Mapping the Garden
Learners discuss maps, the features on a map, and why maps are important. They make a map of a garden they will be planting, complete with symbols that represent the various plants they choose to plant.
Curated OER
A Growing Market
Students research plants and the bedding plant industry and then make a list of materials they need to plant seeds. In this planting lesson plan, students then plant their seeds, chart their progress, and write what they have learned.
Curated OER
Let it Grow!
Students explain the relationship of plants and animals in the environment. They name the basic requirements for plant growth and define the terms photosynthesis, stomata, chlorophyll and xylem.
Curated OER
Habitat Hopscotch
Third graders explore animal characteristics by participating in a bat environment game. In this natural habitat lesson, 3rd graders identify the physical anatomy of a bat and discuss their eating and sleeping habits. Students conduct a...
Curated OER
Clearly Classified
Learners investigate plants and insects. In this science classification lesson, young scholars create separate categories for insects and plants by characteristics. Learners discover scientific names of insects.
Curated OER
How Does Your Garden Grow?
Students explore plant life by reading books about gardening. In this botany activity, students read the books From Seed to Plant and Oh Say Can You Seed? while identifying the necessary elements to raising a healthy plant. Students view...
Curated OER
Costing A Garden
Students work in groups and plan a garden within a budget. They investigate appropriate plants for their area, compare and report prices. As a group, they consider the shape, size, type of soil, and draw a layout of the planned garden....
Curated OER
Container Gardening: Direct Seeding
In this science experiment worksheet, students record a check next to the 10 plants that they plan on growing in containers. Students place their containers in full sunlight.
Curated OER
The Young Virginia Gardener: Container Gardening-Kitty Garden
In this gardening worksheet, students read a passage on container gardens for cats, then research why cats like catnip and grass. A reference web site is given for additional activities.
Curated OER
Creating Gardens
Students are shown that numeracy is all around them. They use volume, and calculate the quantity of soil required to make a garden to given instructions. Students are asked how to calculate the amount of soil required for the garden.
University of Wisconsin
Infiltration Test: Exploring the Flow of Water Through Soils
Soil scientists gain experience with an infiltrometer can to determine the infiltration rates at different locations on campus. If you are using the entire unit, the class has already analyzed water flow and soil types, so they should...
Cornell University
Study Soil
What's in soil? Young scientists study the pH levels of soil from their school yard. They observe the land and area the soil came from to decide if location has anything to do with acidity level.
Curated OER
Plantable Pulp Cards
What a great way to give a gift that keeps on giving! These homemade plantable cards are not only beautiful, but can be planted into the ground to sprout in the right season. Incorporate this project in a science unit, or for a Mother's...
Chicago Botanic Garden
Understanding the Greenhouse Effect
Dive into the power of the sun with a two-part activity. Budding scientists model the greenhouse effect in a hands-on activity, and then participate in a skit that explores the earth's energy balances and what really occurs in the...
Rivanna Regional Stormwater Education Partnership
Does It Soak Right In?
Which materials are best for groundwater runoff, and which are best for percolation? Discuss the water table with several experiments about different types of soil, pollution, precipitation, and filtration. The experiments assign...
Techbridge Curriculum
Calculating Rainwater Runoff
Thirsty plants soak up every bit of a rainfall, but what happens to the rain that hits the roof? Calculate the amount of rainwater from your school's roof with an Earth science activity, which brings measurement skills, observation...