What to Plant

Grades: 
3, 4, 5

When the site is selected, they make a final plan for what plants to put into the garden based on soil, location, and availability. They make a plan to seek donations of plants or funds for their garden.

Duration 
PrintOne Forty-Minute Session
Objectives 

The learner will:

  • compare and contrast annual and perennial plants, colors, and plants that are native to the area
  • analyze which plants attract butterflies, birds, and other wildlife.
Home Connection 

None for this lesson.

Instructions

Print
  1. Anticipatory Set:

    Together make a list of plants and flowers that grow well in the area. Encourage them to think of the plants that grown in their yards and nearby. Discuss why people select the types of plants they do - favorite types, a childhood memory, color, grows well, transplanted from somewhere else, or a gift.

  2. Define annual and perennial and discuss the benefit of planting flowers that come back year after year. Since perennials multiply, they may be given as gifts without hurting the parent plant. This may be a method of acquiring free plants and an idea for being philanthropic in the future.

  3. Brainstorm ways to ask for donations of flowers for their garden. Discuss and carry out a safe plan to get plants in which small groups take action, while keeping the adults informed and involved.

Cross Curriculum 

Students are making decisions related to their gift of a garden to the community.

Philanthropy Framework

  1. Strand PHIL.IV Volunteering and Service
    1. Standard VS 03. Providing Service
      1. Benchmark E.3 Describe the task and the student role.