"Garden Tales: Growing Knowledge Together!"

Plan

1st Grade Project 6 weeks

"Garden Tales: Growing Knowledge Together!"

Jennifer L

LS.2.D

LS.2.A

D2.Geo.8.K-2

Self Directed Learning

Academic Mindset

+ 1 more

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Purpose

The purpose of "Our Neighborhood Garden" project is to engage first-grade students in an immersive learning experience that integrates literacy, science, and social studies through hands-on activities. By exploring plant growth and survival, students develop critical thinking, self-directed learning, and academic mindsets, fostering a sense of identity and belonging. Through collaboration with community partners and creative reflection, students deepen their understanding of ecosystems and community interactions, while building confidence in their abilities to inquire and solve real-world problems.

Learning goals

The learning goals for this project include understanding the growth requirements and anatomy of plants, fostering self-directed learning through reflection and feedback, and developing critical thinking skills by exploring plant survival in various conditions. Students will also gain a sense of place and belonging by connecting their garden experiences to their community and environment. Through hands-on activities and collaborative projects, students will learn to compare community interactions with ecosystems, meeting both science and social studies standards.

Standards

[Next Generation Science Standards] LS.2.D - Social Interactions and Group Behavior
[Next Generation Science Standards] LS.2.A - Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems
[National Council for the Social Studies] D2.Geo.8.K-2 - Compare how people in different types of communities use local and distant environments to meet their daily needs.

Competencies

Self Directed Learning - Students use teacher and peer feedback and self-reflection to monitor and direct their own learning while building self knowledge both in and out of the classroom.
Academic Mindset - Students establish a sense of place, identity, and belonging to increase self-efficacy while engaging in critical reflection and action.
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving - Students consider a variety of innovative approaches to address and understand complex questions that are authentic and important to their communities.

Products

Students will collaboratively create a mural illustrating the life cycle of plants, incorporating individual drawings and descriptions for each stage. Additionally, they will develop a class book titled "Our Neighborhood Garden Adventure," with each student contributing a page featuring illustrations and narratives about their garden experiences and discoveries. These products will be showcased during the 'Garden Art Exhibit' and 'Garden Story Time' events, allowing students to share their learning journey with the community.

Launch

Kick off the project with a 'Planting Party' where students plant seeds in small pots, learning firsthand about the essentials for plant growth. Encourage students to take their pots home, fostering a sense of responsibility as they observe and care for their plants. Complement this with a 'Garden Detective Day' where students explore the schoolyard to identify plant parts and discuss their functions, sparking curiosity and engagement with the essential questions.

Exhibition

Students will host a 'Garden Story Time' event where they read their reflection journals aloud to classmates, family, and community members, sharing personal experiences and discoveries from the garden project. Additionally, a 'Garden Art Exhibit' will showcase students' garden-inspired artwork with informative captions, inviting visitors to explore the creative and scientific aspects of the project. These exhibitions will provide an opportunity for students to celebrate their learning and connect with the community through their artistic and academic achievements.