Garden Lessons: Charting (& Trying!) in the Garden (2nd Grade)

 
772334703.jpg
 

Grade(s): 2nd

Lesson Objective(s): Students practice charting plants in the garden

Ohio Curriculum Standard: Information displayed on bar graphs can be used to compare quantities (social studies).

Supplies Needed

  • Clipboards

  • “Plants in the High Tunnel” Bar Chart worksheet

  • colored pencils

  • Whiteboard with “Favorite Greens” chart & Expo Marker

  • Lettuce, cabbage, and kale all cut into strands, tossed with olive oil & salt & pepper, and in separate bowls

  • bowls & serving tongs

  • Examples of each plant, next to sample: kale, cabbage, & lettuce

  • Ramekins

  • Table (set up as snack station)

  • spit bucket

  • hand sanitizer

    Harmonica

Introduction (10 mins):

  • Let everyone know that we’re going to be doing some professional “taste testing” today, and voting on the class favorite. Remind them that, while they don’t have to try anything, they cannot vote if they don’t try it.

  • Everyone puts on hand sanitizer, gets a clean ramekin, and tries the following, in order (remember to keep a spit bucket nearby, just in case!)

    • Lettuce

    • Kale

    • Cabbage

  • Once they try all the items, have everyone vote on their favorite. Which did you like best? The Lettuce, the Kale, or the Cabbage?

  • Write the numbers below the bar graph chart before charting. After writing numbers, show students how to chart as a bar graph.

Activity (15 mins)

  • Give each student a clipboard, a pencil, and a “Plants in the High Tunnel” worksheet

  • have everyone put their names on it first

  • Explain that, just like how we charted which type of greens our class liked best, we are going to chart what kind of plants we have in our high tunnel.

  • Do first example all together, seated on the benches. Ask if students know which plant is the lettuce plant (hold up example of the plant to show what it looks like). Once they find it, count the number of lettuce plants out loud with the class

    • Once you have the number, write on worksheet below “lettuce” and show students where written

    • After writing the actual number, show students how to count to make the graph

  • Once students show an adult their finished bar graph & it is correct, their teacher can collect it, and they can go to the watering station to help water plants

    • remind students as they water to water the roots rather than the leaves!

Wrap up (5 mins)

  • Line up at back door of high tunnel, say goodbye!

Classroom Extensions:

Before: review bar graphs with students

After: design a series of word problems to go along with the graph (for example: how many more lettuce plants are there than kale plants?)


Garden LessonsTeresa Woodard