Garden Gizmos & Pollinator Parade!

2nd Grade

Project
4 weeks

Garden Gizmos & Pollinator Parade!

Elizabeth Miller (Beth)

LS2.2.1

Purpose

The purpose of this project is to immerse 2nd-grade students in a dynamic learning environment where they actively engage with the natural world through the creation and maintenance of a community garden. By exploring plant life cycles and the essential role of pollinators, students will gain a deeper understanding of ecological interactions and sustainability. Through hands-on activities and collaboration with community partners, students will develop critical thinking and communication skills as they share their learning with peers, family, and the community.

Learning goals

Students will understand the essential role of water, light, and pollinators in the growth and reproduction of plants. They will learn to identify and describe the stages of a plant's life cycle and the interactions between plants and animals in the garden ecosystem. Through hands-on activities and community engagement, students will develop skills in observation, communication, and collaboration, as they explore sustainable practices and the interconnectedness of living organisms.

Standards

LS2.2.1 - Plants depend on water and light to grow and on animals for pollination or to move their seeds around.

Products

Throughout the project, students will cultivate a variety of plants in the community garden, documenting their growth and interactions with pollinators. By the end of the project, students will create visual presentations or posters detailing the life cycle of a specific plant they nurtured, emphasizing the role of pollinators. Additionally, they will organize and lead a guided tour of the garden, providing insights into plant life cycles and pollinator interactions. The final exhibition will feature a 'Garden Gallery Walk,' showcasing the students' work and learning to family members and community partners.

Launch

Kick off the project with a visit to a local community garden or park where students can explore various plants and observe pollinators in action. During the visit, encourage students to take notes and sketch what they see, focusing on the interactions between plants and animals. Back in the classroom, facilitate a discussion where students share their observations and begin to brainstorm ideas for their own community garden, setting the stage for the hands-on work ahead.

Exhibition

Students will host a 'Garden Gallery Walk' where their visual presentations and posters are displayed in a gallery-style setup. Visitors, including family members and community partners, will walk through the exhibition, learning about each plant's life cycle and its interactions with pollinators. This event will provide students with the opportunity to explain their projects and engage in discussions, showcasing their understanding and achievements in the community garden project.

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Project Introduction and Essential Question Exploration - Introduce the project goals and discuss the essential question: 'In what ways do plants and animals interact in our garden, and how do these interactions support the life cycle of plants?' (15 min) Garden Visit and Observation - Visit the local community garden or park, observe various plants, and note interactions with pollinators, focusing on water and light needs (30 min)	Observation Sharing and Group Discussion - Students share their observations from the garden visit, discussing plant-pollinator interactions and brainstorming ideas for their community garden (20 min) Introduction to Plant Life Cycles - Begin a hands-on exploration of plant life cycles using diagrams and real plant samples, highlighting the role of water and light (25 min)	Seed Planting and Garden Planning - Students plant seeds in small pots and develop a plan for what will be planted in the community garden, considering space, light, and water needs (30 min) Journal Setup and Reflection - Create a garden journal to document observations and reflections, writing about the planting experience and initial thoughts on plant care (15 min)	Water and Light Experimentation - Conduct simple experiments to show how plants respond to different amounts of water and light, documenting observations in journals (30 min) Community Partner Introduction - Introduce students to a local beekeeper via video or visit, discussing the role of bees in pollination and plant reproduction (15 min)	Building a Pollinator-Friendly Garden - Discuss characteristics of a pollinator-friendly garden and design plans to incorporate these elements into the community garden (20 min) Week 1 Reflection and Exhibit Planning - Reflect on the week's learning, discuss the importance of pollinators, and begin planning the 'Garden Gallery Walk' exhibition (25 min)
Deliverables	1. Sketch and notes from the community garden visit 2. Group presentation on plant life cycles 3. Initial layout plan for the community garden
Preparation	1. Arrange visit to a local community garden or park 2. Gather materials for sketching and note-taking (notebooks, pencils) 3. Prepare resources for plant research (books, videos, websites) 4. Collect large paper and markers for garden layout sketching 5. Coordinate with a local beekeeper to plan a future visit

Week 2	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Pollinator Exploration - Invite a local beekeeper to the classroom to demonstrate the role of pollinators in the garden, allowing students to observe bees and ask questions about their importance in plant reproduction (45 min)	Garden Maintenance and Observation - Students tend to their planted seeds, observing growth and any pollinator interactions, and recording changes in their garden journals (30 min) Pollination Simulation - Conduct a hands-on activity where students simulate the process of pollination using small brushes and flower models, understanding the mechanics of pollen transfer (15 min)	Plant Life Cycle Deep Dive - Use educational videos and interactive discussions to explore the stages of plant life cycles, focusing on the role of pollinators in seed formation (20 min) Garden Mapping - Students create a map of the community garden, labeling areas where different plants are growing and noting potential pollinator habitats (25 min)	Interactive Pollinator Presentation - Students work in pairs to research a specific pollinator and create a brief digital presentation or poster to share with the class, focusing on its role in the ecosystem (30 min) Peer Presentation and Feedback - Students present their pollinator projects to the class and provide constructive feedback to peers, fostering communication skills (15 min)	Week 2 Reflection - Facilitate a reflective discussion on the week's activities, encouraging students to share insights about plant-pollinator interactions and their observations in the garden (15 min) Exhibition Planning - Begin outlining the 'Garden Gallery Walk' exhibit, with students brainstorming ideas for their visual presentations or posters on plant life cycles and pollinator roles (30 min)
Deliverables	1. Students will plant seeds in the community garden, documenting the initial planting process with drawings and written observations in their garden journals. 2. Students will create a simple diagram showing how plants depend on water and light to grow, using examples from their observations.
Preparation	1. Gather seeds, soil, small gardening tools, and pots for planting activities. 2. Prepare garden journals for each student to track their observations and plant growth. 3. Invite the local beekeeper to speak about the role of pollinators, ensuring students have questions prepared. 4. Set up a simple irrigation system or watering schedule to ensure plants receive adequate water daily.

Week 3	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Pollinator Observation and Sketching - Observe bees and other pollinators in the garden, sketch their interactions with plants, and discuss their role in pollination (30 min) Plant Growth Measurement - Measure and record the growth of plants in the garden, noting changes since planting and discussing the effects of water and light (15 min)	Seed Dispersal Exploration - Explore different methods of seed dispersal by collecting and examining seeds from the garden, discussing how animals help move seeds around (25 min) Journal Reflection and Drawing - Write reflections and draw diagrams in journals about seed dispersal methods observed and their importance to plant life cycles (20 min)	Pollinator Role-Play Activity - Engage in a role-play activity where students act as plants and pollinators to simulate the pollination process, reinforcing understanding of plant-animal interactions (25 min) Garden Maintenance and Care - Participate in garden maintenance tasks such as watering and weeding, discussing the importance of these actions for plant health and growth (20 min)	Visual Presentation Creation - Begin creating visual presentations or posters illustrating the life cycle of a chosen plant, integrating prior observations and sketches (30 min) Peer Review and Feedback - Share presentation drafts with peers for feedback, learning to give and receive constructive comments (15 min)	Guided Tour Practice - Practice conducting a guided tour of the community garden, focusing on explaining plant life cycles and pollinator roles to family and community partners (25 min) Week 3 Reflection and Exhibition Planning - Reflect on the week's activities, refine exhibition plans, and prepare for the upcoming 'Garden Gallery Walk' (20 min)
Deliverables	1. Completed garden journal entries documenting pollinator habitat observations. 2. Pollinator art piece for inclusion in visual presentations. 3. Draft script for guided tour focusing on plant life cycles and pollinator roles.
Preparation	1. Coordinate with a local beekeeper for a guest speaking session. 2. Gather art supplies such as paper, paints, crayons, and collage materials for Pollinator Art. 3. Prepare the garden area for observation by ensuring flowering plants are accessible and that water sources are adequate. 4. Create a checklist for garden maintenance tasks that students will complete. 5. Set up a space for students to practice their guided tour scripts and provide feedback.

Week 4	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Final Presentation Preparation - Students finalize their visual presentations or posters, ensuring clarity and completeness in illustrating plant life cycles and pollinator interactions (25 min) Garden Tour Script Drafting - Work on drafting scripts for the guided tour, focusing on key talking points about plant-pollinator relationships and sustainability practices (20 min)	Rehearsal and Feedback Session - Conduct a rehearsal of the garden tour with peers, practicing presentation skills and receiving feedback to refine scripts and delivery (30 min) Garden Maintenance and Enhancement - Engage in final garden maintenance tasks, such as tidying up and adding signs or labels to plants for the tour (15 min)	Exhibition Setup - Organize the 'Garden Gallery Walk' exhibits, arranging visual presentations and posters for optimal viewing by visitors (20 min) Dress Rehearsal - Perform a full run-through of the garden tour and gallery walk, making final adjustments to ensure readiness for the exhibition (25 min)	Exhibition Day: Garden Gallery Walk - Host the 'Garden Gallery Walk,' presenting visual displays and guiding visitors through the garden, explaining plant life cycles and pollinator roles (45 min)	Reflection and Debrief - Reflect on the exhibition experience, discussing successes and areas for improvement with peers and community partners (20 min) Celebration and Certificate Ceremony - Celebrate the completion of the project, awarding certificates of achievement to students for their hard work and contributions (25 min)
Deliverables	1. Completed visual presentation or poster illustrating the life cycle of a specific plant, including the role of pollinators. 2. Guided tour script or notes prepared by students for explaining the garden ecosystem.
Preparation	1. Gather art supplies such as markers, colored pencils, paper, and poster boards for students to create their visual presentations. 2. Prepare a schedule and coordinate with family members and community partners for the 'Garden Gallery Walk' exhibition. 3. Arrange the community garden for the guided tours, ensuring all plants and relevant areas are clearly marked and accessible. 4. Coordinate with the local beekeeper to attend the exhibition, if possible, to provide additional insights and answer questions.