The learners discover the joy of caring for and sharing flowers. The students nurture relationships with a master gardener and senior friends and deliver artistic flowerpots with nurtured plants to their friends along with leaf-print personalized notes.

Service Experience

The experiential component of Lesson One: Planting Phil’s Garden is very personalized. When the students read the motivating story of What If Everybody Gave?, they will be motivated to give in some manner. The students report back in what manner they gave. In Lesson Four: Special Delivery—Handle with Care, the students bring their potted plants and note cards to a retirement facility to give as a gift. They share their time, talent and treasure and establish a relationship with an elderly member of the community.

Lessons in This Unit

Planting Phil's Garden

Unit:

Phil's Garden of Good

Lesson 1 of 4

Grades:

The teacher and a volunteer master gardener teach the students about plant care and the steps and responsibilities of the unit plan.

Subjects

Planting the Seeds of Knowledge

Unit:

Phil's Garden of Good

Lesson 2 of 4

Grades:

In this lesson, the students will gain respect for the beauty and value of plants and the natural environment. Students will learn how various conditions affect the growth of plants. They will also compare the love and care needed by plants to the love and care needed by people also. Students will also measure and observe the growth of their seedlings.

Subjects

Rubbing Elbows with Plants

Unit:

Phil's Garden of Good

Lesson 3 of 4

Grades:

The students will analyze the characteristics of a volunteer. With the help of volunteers, the learners will make note cards and transplant their flowers into their decorated pots. These items will be distributed later to senior citizens.

Subjects

Special Delivery--Handle with Care

Unit:

Phil's Garden of Good

Lesson 4 of 4

Grades:

Students will donate their time/talent/treasure by sharing their cards and plants with a person at a retirement home.