Preparing and Planting the Garden

Grades: 
3, 4, 5

This experiential lesson involves building the garden and inviting people to enjoy and participate.

Duration 
PrintOne session, plus gardening time
Objectives 

Implement a garden plan and collaborate to take responsibility.

Materials 

Gardening supplies

Home Connection 

None for this lesson.

Instructions

Print
  1. Anticipatory Set:

    Review the plans for building the garden, as planned. Some people can work on social media and invitations while others are digging and planting.

  2. Working collaboratively, participants dig their garden space, add rich soil, and plant the flowers they obtained through donations. 

  3. Note: This will most likely take several days depending on the use this area has had in the past.

  4. Once the garden is in the ground, participants and volunteers can take turns working in groups of two or three to water and weed daily. 

  5. Once the garden is planted and the area finished, reflect and evaluate what they have done.

    • Is the finished area a real gift to the community?
    • Was what they accomplished an act of philanthropy?
    • What is the value of philanthropy to a community and its citizens?
Cross Curriculum 

Students will do the work that they have planned over a long period of time. Once this is completed, they will have given a mini-park (and bird sanctuary) 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.
    2. Standard VS 05. Integrating the Service Experience into Learning
      1. Benchmark E.3 Identify outcomes from the service.