My Garden Grows Program Options:
1. Moody Garden
In this lesson, students will enhance their observational skills in both science and art. They will use real-life experiences and the illustrations from "The Tiny Seed" by Eric Carle to understand the different stages of a plant's life from seed to adult and point out the parts of a plant. They will also learn about the essential requirements for a plant's survival, such as air, water, sun, and soil, and explore the diversity of flora and fauna in various habitats. To apply their learning, students will create their own mixed media Moody Garden by crafting flowers from construction paper and using paint sticks to depict the background. They will also study how the weather can influence the color of the sky. Furthermore, they will use color to express emotions and convey a narrative, integrating social and emotional learning (SEL) into the lesson.
2. Seasonal Winter Sleep in the Soil
In this lesson, students will understand the importance of maintaining healthy soil, how it helps plants survive, the variety of soils in different habitats, and learn skills to enhance it. They will also explore how some animals, including soil-dwelling creatures, survive the cold winter through the book "Over and Under the Snow" by Kate Messner. Students will illustrate their favorite hibernating creature using collage techniques while depicting the distinct soil layers with various lines expressing their feelings and conveying a narrative about themselves, integrating SEL.
3. Exploring the World of Bees and Pollinators: This lesson provides students an exciting opportunity to explore the world of bees and other pollinators. Using visual aids and the captivating book "Bee" by Britta Teekentrup, students will gain insight into the incredible diversity of these vital creatures. The lesson will highlight the vital symbiotic relationship between plants and insects. Additionally, students will engage in a hands-on activity where they will showcase their creativity and newly acquired knowledge by crafting unique pollinators using a range of mixed-media collage techniques.
