In the Yard â Supporting Activities
What is a plant? “Plant” Series What am I?
Name _______________________________________ Copyright 2008 abcteach.com
A plant is a living thing. Copyright 2008 abcteach.com
Plants get energy from the sun. Copyright 2008 abcteach.com
Plants grow in the soil. Copyright 2008 abcteach.com
Plants need water. Copyright 2008 abcteach.com
Most plants are green. Copyright 2008 abcteach.com
Plants have leaves. Copyright 2008 abcteach.com
People and animals eat plants. Copyright 2008 abcteach.com
tree
vine
flowers
vegetables
We see plants every day. Copyright 2008 abcteach.com
Plants are important. Copyright 2008 abcteach.com
Looking for children’s books focused on the environment? Use this list to get you started! Be sure to check the book to ensure the right level for your students. This list includes fiction and non-fiction books concerning environmental appreciation and conservation. Did we miss your favorite environmental book? Let us know!
Albert, Richard E.; Sylvia Long (illustrator): Alejandro's Gift Burns, Loree Griffin: Tracking Trash: Flotsam, Jetsam, & the Science of Ocean Motion Cherry, Lynne: A River Ran Wild: An Environmental History Donaldson, Julia; Axel Scheffler (illustrator): The Snail and the Whale Dr. Seuss: The Lorax Driscoll, Michael; Meredith Hamilton (illustrator): A Child's Introduction to the Environment: The Air, Earth, and Sea Around Us- Plus Experiments, Projects, and Activities YOU Can Do to Help Our Planet! Ehlert, Lois: Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf Ehrlich, Amy; Wendell Minor (illustrator): Rachel: The Story of Rachel Carson Gibbons, Gail: Nature's Green Umbrella Gibbons, Gail: Recycle!: A Handbook for Kids Hiaasen, Carl: Hoot Lasky, Kathryn; Stan Fellows (illustrator): John Muir: America's First Environmentalist McLimans, David: Gone Wild Peet, Bill: The Wump World Pfeffer, Susan Beth: Life As We Knew It Rockwell, Anne; Paul Meisel (illustrator): Why Are the Ice Caps Melting?: The Dangers of Global Warming Showers, Paul; Randy Chewning (illustrator): Where Does the Garbage Go? (revised edition) Steig, William: Abel's Island Tara, Stephanie Lisa; Alex Walton (illustrator): Snowy White World to Save The EarthWorks Group: 50 Simple Things Kids Can Do to Save the Earth Thornhill, Jan: This Is My Planet: The Kids' Guide to Global Warming Van Allsburg, Chris: Just a Dream Vaupel, Robin: My Contract with Henry
list compiled for abcteach.com
Copyright 2007 abcteach.com
ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Game board: Fasten the above label to the front of a file folder. Fasten pages 2 and 3 (caterpillar) on the insides of the file folder. Laminate. 2. Game pieces: Cut out the circles of flowers on page 4. Laminate. 3. To store game pieces, place them inside closed file folder. Fasten sides of folder together with paper clips or report cover spines (cut to fit), or attach Velcro inside the file folder to keep the sides closed. GAME PLAY Count the flowers on each circle. Match the circle to the section on the caterpillar with the corresponding number.
4
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3 2 1
Copyright 2007 abcteach.com
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8 9 10
Copyright 2007 abcteach.com
Copyright 2007 abcteach.com
Nutrition & Health/Gardening/Vegetable
Fun in the Garden! Vegetable Gardening Vegetable gardens are a special treat. Fresh vegetables taste great and they cost less than the vegetables from the store! Planting a vegetable garden is fun and easy. Before you plant: Before you plant your garden, you need to plan your garden. Where will you plant the garden? Remember, vegetable gardens need a sunny, open place. A vegetable garden needs at least six hours of full sunlight a day. Vegetable gardens also need to be in an area that drains water well. Next you need to plan the vegetables you want to grow. Pick vegetables that you will like eating and cooking. Find out how long the growing season is in your area. If you live in the north, the growing season will be shorter than it is for gardeners south of you. Check the seed packages to see how long each vegetable will take to grow. Be sure the growing season in your area is long enough for the vegetables you choose. Draw a map of where you will plant each vegetable in the garden. Next, prepare the garden for planting. The soil needs to be turned over, conditioned and fertilized. Turn the soil with a rototiller machine or a pitchfork and shovel. The soil should not be wet when it is turned. Take out the lumps, rocks and roots. Mix the soil with compost, fertilizer, and soil conditioner. You can use your own compost or buy it at a garden store. When the garden soil is mixed up well, rake it flat. Use a metal garden rake to level the soil. Plant your seeds: When you are ready to plant make sure the soil is still loose. Water the garden the day before you plant. Plant your seeds from the back of the garden forward. This will keep you from stepping on the rows you have already planted. Make a row in the soil with the edge of a hoe. Mark the beginning and end of the row with sticks or stakes.
©2010 abcteach.com
Nutrition & Health/Gardening/Vegetable
Follow the directions on the seed package. Some small seeds can be scattered in rows, with a little bit of soil on top of them. Larger seeds should be planted by themselves along the row. Large seeds need a larger amount of soil put on top of them. Plant more seeds than you need. Some seeds will not grow. Taking care of your garden: Water well. Use a gentle spray so that you don't uncover the seeds. Thin the seedlings when they have sprouted. Pull the smallest seedlings. Leave the strongest seedlings in the garden. Most vegetables need an inch or more water each week. Wait a day to water after a heavy rain. This gives the soil time to drain. If the soil doesn’t drain, the plants’ roots will drown. Add mulch between the rows to stop weeds from growing. Mulch also keeps the soil moist. Weeds take water, light and space away from your plants. Pull them often. Pull the entire root of the weed. Leaving any part of the root will allow the weed to grow back. Harvesting: Harvest your vegetables when they are ripe. If they are attached to a stalk or vine, gently twist the vegetable until it frees itself. If the vegetable is not coming loose easily, it might not be fully ripe. Try again in a few days. If you are digging up a root vegetable, be careful not to cut it with your tool. Always wash vegetables. Place leafy vegetables in a sink or bowl full of cold water. Stir gently. The dirt will sink to the bottom.
©2010 abcteach.com
Nutrition & Health/Gardening/Vegetable
Fun in the Garden! Vegetable Gardening Reading Comprehension Questions: 1. What things do you have to plan before you can plant your garden? 2. What is the best location for your garden? 3. Why is it important to know your growing season? 4. How do you prepare your soil for gardening? 5. What should you use as a guide to plant your seeds? 6. When should you wait a day to water your garden? Why? 7. Why should you pull the entire root of a weed when weeding? 8. Why should you wash the vegetables from your garden?
Discussion Questions Answer on a separate piece of paper, or in a class discussion. Additional research may be necessary to answer the questions. 1. What are planting zones? Which planting zone do you live in? What is the planting season in your zone? 2. Read the backs of some seed packets. What are some special instructions you see on these packets? 3. Why do you think seed starting is good for the earth? What are other ways to make gardening an environmentally friendly activity?
©2010 abcteach.com
Nutrition & Health/Gardening/Vegetable
Fun in the Garden! Vegetable Gardening Functional Text Questions: 1. How much sunlight does a garden need every day? __________________ 2. What happens after you plan the location of your garden?
________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ 3. What happens before you plant your seeds?
________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ 4. What materials do you need for vegetable gardening?
________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ 5. What tools to you need to plant a vegetable garden?
________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ 6. What is the first step in vegetable gardening?
________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ 7. What is the last step in vegetable gardening?
________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ©2010 abcteach.com
Nutrition & Health/Gardening/Vegetable
Fun in the Garden! Vegetable Gardening Answer Key Reading Comprehension Answers: 1. The location of the garden, the types of vegetables you want to grow, and where you are planting the vegetables all need to be planned before you start working in your garden. 2. The best location for the garden is in an area that has at least 6 hours of direct sunlight every day, has good drainage, 3. It is important to know your growing season so that you plant vegetables that will germinate and grow to maturity within the time you have. 4. You have to turn over the soil and add conditioners and fertilizers, as well as get rid of any lumps, rocks and roots in the soil before you can plant seeds. 5. Use the seed package as a guide to planting your seeds in the garden. 6. You should wait a day to water your garden after a heavy rain, to give the garden time to drain. 7. If you do not pull the entire root of the weed, it will grow back and threaten your plants. 8. Vegetables from the garden should always be washed, because they will have dirt, any fertilizer you use, and insects on them.
Functional Text Answers: 1. The garden needs at least six hours of direct sunlight every day. 2. You plan what vegetables you are planting and where you are putting them in the garden. 3. You till the soil, and add conditioner and fertilizer to it. Make sure there are no lumps, rocks or roots in the soil, and rake it flat. 4. Materials you need for vegetable gardening are seeds, compost, soil conditioner, fertilizer, and an available water source for vegetable gardening. 5. Tools you need for planting a vegetable gardening are a rototiller machine or garden pitchfork and shovel. You will also need a metal gardening rake and a garden hoe. 6. The first step in vegetable gardening is to plan the location of the garden. 7. The last step in vegetable gardening is to harvest and wash the vegetables.
©2010 abcteach.com
Name: _________________
Date: _______
Vegetable Gardening E S O C U
S H O V E L N
I Y T I L L
D C M P A E R ZOO H S E WI
SEEDS TILL WATER ROOTS SHOVEL
B L Q E N H E E
D G A R D E N V
L P M I D L V R O G G A E O J H R N G OMT O T E T WT W E T SM J L A E S B Q P L J S OW A E SOH F J E D SWA T E R HA R V E S T E V GARDEN HOE LIGHT LEAVES GROW
User-created with abctools® for home and classroom use only. Graphics and format ©2000-2010 abcteach® Vegetable Gardening
PLANT SOIL VEGETABLES SOW HARVEST www.abcteach.com May not be sold/redistributed without permission
Vegetable Gardening E S O C U
S H O V E L N
I Y T I L L
D C M P A E R ZOO H S E WI
B L Q E N H E E
D G A R D E N V
L P M I D L V R O G G A E O J H R N G OMT O T E T WT W E T SM J L A E S B Q P L J S OW A E SOH F J E D SWA T E R HA R V E S T E V
User-created with abctools® for home and classroom use only. Graphics and format ©2000-2010 abcteach® Vegetable Gardening
www.abcteach.com May not be sold/redistributed without permission
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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Yellow C6, D5, G2, H1
Green B8, G8
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C8, C9, D8, D9, F8, F9, F10 H8, H9, I8, I9
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Orange B4, C1, C4, C7, D2, E4, F3, F5, G4 D4, D6, E3, E5, F1, F2, Brown F6, F7, G3, G5, H2, F4 H4, H6, I1, I4, I7, J4 Copyright 2007 abcteach.com
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Copyright 2007 abcteach.com
Garden Project
Garden Plot Objective: To create a record of a newly planted garden, so that plants will be easy to identify as they grow. To learn and practice mapping skills. You will need: • grid paper • pencil • colored pencils • ruler • measuring tape Instructions: Teachers/Parents: 1. Discuss the importance of garden planning. 2. Discuss map-making skills. Students: 1. Measure your garden. Create a scale that will allow you to draw your garden on the grid paper (i.e. one square = one square foot). 2. Draw the outer border of your garden on the grid paper. 3. Create a legend with symbols to represent the plants in your garden (i.e. red “T” for a tomato plant, yellow circle for a yellow rose plant, etc.). 4. Use colored pencils to draw your plant symbols in your garden plot. Stay as true to scale as possible. 5. As your garden grows, refer to your plot to identify plants. 6. Make changes to the plot as needed if plants die or new ones are added. Hints: • Do not try to be too exact. Estimate distances smaller than your scale unit. • Keep your Garden Plot in your Gardening Journal.
© 2009 abcteach.com
Garden Project
Legend:
© 2009 abcteach.com
Lapbook
Insects and Spiders
Copyright 2010 abcteach.com
Lapbook
Theme Words SPIDER COCOON INSECT NEST CRAWL HIVE CREEPY BUTTERFLY ANT WEB Cut out the square and fold on dotted lines to make a booklet.
Copyright 2010 abcteach.com
Lapbook Two Pockets: Fold flaps back. Glue flaps to lapbook.
Matchbooks: Fold on dotted. Fold with words at the top of the book.
Make a list of things you know about grasshoppers.
How many legs does a spider typically have?
Copyright 2010 abcteach.com
Lapbook Flash Cards: Add information to these cards. Store in pockets.
Copyright 2010 abcteach.com
Lapbook
1. Glue this side to the lapbook. 2. Glue horizontally or vertically. 3. Fold on center line. Cut the dotted lines to create the flaps. 4. Write a question to go with each image on the flap. 5. Answer the questions under the flap.
Copyright 2010 abcteach.com
Natural Resources Activity - Products & Uses Teacher Instructions Objective: To reinforce the relationship between natural resources, their uses, and the goods that are produced from them. Materials: Natural Resource Cards, tape, Natural Resource Products worksheet, objects in the classroom made from natural resources. Preparation: • Print a set of cards for each student or group. Cut the cards apart (or have students cut them in class). • Check your classroom in advance to be sure that there are many examples of natural resource products. Bring extra items into the classroom if necessary. Activity: • Pass out the cards to students or groups. • Instruct students to select a Natural Resource Card and find an object in the classroom that is made from that resource. • Place or tape the card on the object. • Students should do this for each card he/she has. • Students should look for different objects from what other students have chosen. • After all the cards have been placed, discuss each card’s placement with the class. Have the student state why the object was chosen. Correct if necessary. • Have students complete the Natural Resource Products worksheet based on their findings. Suggested items: • forests: paper or wood - desk, ruler, books, poster, door, etc. • soil: glass, bricks, pottery, potting soil, clay, sand art, concrete, etc. • water: drinks, paint, wet wipes, fountain, sink, wet sponge, etc. • minerals: metal or rock - lockers, magnet, electronics, chalk, etc. • plants: fruit, vegetables, cotton, blue jeans, rope, house plant, etc. • animals: leather, wool, ivory, sea shells, bristle brushes, etc. • air: person, plant, fan, air conditioner, pinwheel, balloon, etc. • solar energy: solar-powered calculator, plant, sunlight, etc. © 2008 abcteach.com
Name ____________________ Date ______________
Natural Resource Products & Uses List objects in your classroom that come from natural resources.
1. forests _________________ _________________ _________________
2. soil _________________ _________________ _________________
3. water _________________ _________________ _________________
4. minerals _________________ _________________ _________________
5. plants _________________ _________________ _________________
6. animals _________________ _________________ _________________
7. air _________________ _________________ _________________
8. solar energy _________________ _________________ _________________
© 2008 abcteach.com
Forests
Soil
Water
Minerals
© 2008 abcteach.com
Solar Energy
Air
Plants
Animals
© 2008 abcteach.com
Natural Resources Wall Hanging MATERIALS: 3 pages of printouts (1 of globe, 2 of resource signs) Crayons, markers or colored pencils Scissors Glue ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Color the globe and natural resource signs. 2. Cut out the globe along the dotted lines. 3. Cut out the natural resource signs along the dotted lines. You should have 3 long strips (with 3 signs on each) and 3 separate signs. 4. Glue each separate sign to the bottom of a long strip, making 3 long strips with 4 signs on each one. 5. Glue each strip to the bottom edge of the globe cutout. 6. Let the glue dry. Display your wall hanging!
© 2008 abcteach.com
© 2008 abcteach.com
© 2008 abcteach.com
© 2008 abcteach.com
© 2008 abcteach.com
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Object of the Game - Learn about the parts of plants. How to Play - Place each card into the correct flower pot. Sort by stems, flowers, leaves and fruit.
Teachers: Note: If desired, the cards can be color coded to self-check. Assembly Instructions - Attach above graphic to front of file folder. Attach the two pages with flower pots inside file folder. Cut out cards. Laminate the file folder and cards for durability.
©2008
abcteach.com
©2008
abcteach.com
©2008
abcteach.com
©2008
abcteach.com
Parts of a Plant
Leaves
A leaf is the flat green part of the plant where photosynthesis takes place. Plants usually have many leaves. Plants store sunlight in their leaves.
Stem
Flower
The stem is the long center support for the plant. Leaves and flowers grow from the stem. Water and nutrients travel up through the stem to other parts of the plant.
The flower is the part of the plant that produces seeds to grow more plants. Flowers come in many colors. Bees and birds feed on the nectar made by flowers.
©2008
abcteach.com
Fruit
Roots
Fruit contains seeds. Fruit begins as a The roots of a plant grow underground and are usually not seen. They support flower. It can be either soft like a strawberry or hard like a nut. Many the plant and anchor it to the ground. Roots draw water and nutrients from fruits are good to eat. the soil for the entire plant.
Seeds
A seed is the very beginning of a plant. Seeds are planted in the soil and grow into plants. Plants produce more seeds that will grow new plants. (Which came first - the seed or the plant?) ©2008
abcteach.com
Bud
A bud is the start of a flower. It is very small at first, but gets larger. The bud will open into a flower. The green leaves covering the bud are called sepals.
Pod
Vein
A pod is a covering that protects seeds. Once the seeds are mature, the pod opens and the seeds are scattered.
Veins are the lines that you can see on leaves. They are actually tiny tubes that take water and nutrients from the stem to leaf cells.
Petiole
Margin
The petiole is the smaller stem that The margin is the edge of a leaf. Leaf connects a leaf to the main stem. margins can be smooth, jagged, or Leaves that have a petiole are called fringed. Leaf margins help to identify petiolate. Leaves that attach directly leaves and plants. to the stem are called sessile. ©2008
abcteach.com
Terminal Bud
Axillary Bud
The terminal bud is a bud that grows An axillary bud is a bud that grows at the very end of a stem. If it grows where the leaf attaches to the stem. at the very top of the plant it is It is called axillary because it grows in often called an apical bud. the axil - the angle between the stem and the petiole.
Node
Internode
The node is the place where leaves grow out from the stem. Tiny nodes hold the bud for new leaves.
The internode is the part of the stem between nodes. The internode strengthens the stem.
©2008
abcteach.com
Bulb
Tap Root
A bulb is a very short stem that A taproot is the center part of a root grows underground. Leaves grow that grows straight down. directly out of the bulb. Bulbs can It anchors the plant. reproduce themselves and grow more Other roots grow from the taproot. bulbs which grow new plants.
Root Hair
Root Tip
Root hairs are tiny roots that grow off larger roots. They grow out into the soil to soak up more water and nutrients.
The root tip is the end of the root. At the very tip is a covering called the root cap that helps the root to grow downward through the soil.
©2008
abcteach.com
Spring Center Activity
Science Parts of a Plant You will need: Parts of a Plant printout Diagram of Plant Parts printout scissors glue © 2008 abcteach.com
Read Parts of a Plant. Cut out the pictures below. Match the pictures to the words on the next page. Glue the pictures in place.
Parts of a Plant Plants have many parts. Each part has a special job to do. Roots are the part of the plant you don’t see. They are underground. Roots hold the plant in place. Roots also soak up water and food from the soil to feed the plant. The stem is the main part of the plant. It holds the plant up. Food and water travel through the stem to all parts of the plant. The leaves soak up sunlight to feed the plant. The flower makes seeds to grow more plants.
© 2008 abcteach.com
Name ___________________
Diagram of Plant Parts
Flower
Stem
Leaf
Roots © 2008 abcteach.com
Leaf
Name _______________________________________ Copyright 2008 abcteach.com
A plant is a living thing. Copyright 2008 abcteach.com
Plants get energy from the sun. Copyright 2008 abcteach.com
Plants grow in the soil. Copyright 2008 abcteach.com
Plants need water. Copyright 2008 abcteach.com
Most plants are green. Copyright 2008 abcteach.com
Plants have leaves. Copyright 2008 abcteach.com
People and animals eat plants. Copyright 2008 abcteach.com
tree
vine
flowers
vegetables
We see plants every day. Copyright 2008 abcteach.com
Plants are important. Copyright 2008 abcteach.com
Looking for children’s books focused on the environment? Use this list to get you started! Be sure to check the book to ensure the right level for your students. This list includes fiction and non-fiction books concerning environmental appreciation and conservation. Did we miss your favorite environmental book? Let us know!
Albert, Richard E.; Sylvia Long (illustrator): Alejandro's Gift Burns, Loree Griffin: Tracking Trash: Flotsam, Jetsam, & the Science of Ocean Motion Cherry, Lynne: A River Ran Wild: An Environmental History Donaldson, Julia; Axel Scheffler (illustrator): The Snail and the Whale Dr. Seuss: The Lorax Driscoll, Michael; Meredith Hamilton (illustrator): A Child's Introduction to the Environment: The Air, Earth, and Sea Around Us- Plus Experiments, Projects, and Activities YOU Can Do to Help Our Planet! Ehlert, Lois: Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf Ehrlich, Amy; Wendell Minor (illustrator): Rachel: The Story of Rachel Carson Gibbons, Gail: Nature's Green Umbrella Gibbons, Gail: Recycle!: A Handbook for Kids Hiaasen, Carl: Hoot Lasky, Kathryn; Stan Fellows (illustrator): John Muir: America's First Environmentalist McLimans, David: Gone Wild Peet, Bill: The Wump World Pfeffer, Susan Beth: Life As We Knew It Rockwell, Anne; Paul Meisel (illustrator): Why Are the Ice Caps Melting?: The Dangers of Global Warming Showers, Paul; Randy Chewning (illustrator): Where Does the Garbage Go? (revised edition) Steig, William: Abel's Island Tara, Stephanie Lisa; Alex Walton (illustrator): Snowy White World to Save The EarthWorks Group: 50 Simple Things Kids Can Do to Save the Earth Thornhill, Jan: This Is My Planet: The Kids' Guide to Global Warming Van Allsburg, Chris: Just a Dream Vaupel, Robin: My Contract with Henry
list compiled for abcteach.com
Copyright 2007 abcteach.com
ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Game board: Fasten the above label to the front of a file folder. Fasten pages 2 and 3 (caterpillar) on the insides of the file folder. Laminate. 2. Game pieces: Cut out the circles of flowers on page 4. Laminate. 3. To store game pieces, place them inside closed file folder. Fasten sides of folder together with paper clips or report cover spines (cut to fit), or attach Velcro inside the file folder to keep the sides closed. GAME PLAY Count the flowers on each circle. Match the circle to the section on the caterpillar with the corresponding number.
4
5
3 2 1
Copyright 2007 abcteach.com
6
7
8 9 10
Copyright 2007 abcteach.com
Copyright 2007 abcteach.com
Nutrition & Health/Gardening/Vegetable
Fun in the Garden! Vegetable Gardening Vegetable gardens are a special treat. Fresh vegetables taste great and they cost less than the vegetables from the store! Planting a vegetable garden is fun and easy. Before you plant: Before you plant your garden, you need to plan your garden. Where will you plant the garden? Remember, vegetable gardens need a sunny, open place. A vegetable garden needs at least six hours of full sunlight a day. Vegetable gardens also need to be in an area that drains water well. Next you need to plan the vegetables you want to grow. Pick vegetables that you will like eating and cooking. Find out how long the growing season is in your area. If you live in the north, the growing season will be shorter than it is for gardeners south of you. Check the seed packages to see how long each vegetable will take to grow. Be sure the growing season in your area is long enough for the vegetables you choose. Draw a map of where you will plant each vegetable in the garden. Next, prepare the garden for planting. The soil needs to be turned over, conditioned and fertilized. Turn the soil with a rototiller machine or a pitchfork and shovel. The soil should not be wet when it is turned. Take out the lumps, rocks and roots. Mix the soil with compost, fertilizer, and soil conditioner. You can use your own compost or buy it at a garden store. When the garden soil is mixed up well, rake it flat. Use a metal garden rake to level the soil. Plant your seeds: When you are ready to plant make sure the soil is still loose. Water the garden the day before you plant. Plant your seeds from the back of the garden forward. This will keep you from stepping on the rows you have already planted. Make a row in the soil with the edge of a hoe. Mark the beginning and end of the row with sticks or stakes.
©2010 abcteach.com
Nutrition & Health/Gardening/Vegetable
Follow the directions on the seed package. Some small seeds can be scattered in rows, with a little bit of soil on top of them. Larger seeds should be planted by themselves along the row. Large seeds need a larger amount of soil put on top of them. Plant more seeds than you need. Some seeds will not grow. Taking care of your garden: Water well. Use a gentle spray so that you don't uncover the seeds. Thin the seedlings when they have sprouted. Pull the smallest seedlings. Leave the strongest seedlings in the garden. Most vegetables need an inch or more water each week. Wait a day to water after a heavy rain. This gives the soil time to drain. If the soil doesn’t drain, the plants’ roots will drown. Add mulch between the rows to stop weeds from growing. Mulch also keeps the soil moist. Weeds take water, light and space away from your plants. Pull them often. Pull the entire root of the weed. Leaving any part of the root will allow the weed to grow back. Harvesting: Harvest your vegetables when they are ripe. If they are attached to a stalk or vine, gently twist the vegetable until it frees itself. If the vegetable is not coming loose easily, it might not be fully ripe. Try again in a few days. If you are digging up a root vegetable, be careful not to cut it with your tool. Always wash vegetables. Place leafy vegetables in a sink or bowl full of cold water. Stir gently. The dirt will sink to the bottom.
©2010 abcteach.com
Nutrition & Health/Gardening/Vegetable
Fun in the Garden! Vegetable Gardening Reading Comprehension Questions: 1. What things do you have to plan before you can plant your garden? 2. What is the best location for your garden? 3. Why is it important to know your growing season? 4. How do you prepare your soil for gardening? 5. What should you use as a guide to plant your seeds? 6. When should you wait a day to water your garden? Why? 7. Why should you pull the entire root of a weed when weeding? 8. Why should you wash the vegetables from your garden?
Discussion Questions Answer on a separate piece of paper, or in a class discussion. Additional research may be necessary to answer the questions. 1. What are planting zones? Which planting zone do you live in? What is the planting season in your zone? 2. Read the backs of some seed packets. What are some special instructions you see on these packets? 3. Why do you think seed starting is good for the earth? What are other ways to make gardening an environmentally friendly activity?
©2010 abcteach.com
Nutrition & Health/Gardening/Vegetable
Fun in the Garden! Vegetable Gardening Functional Text Questions: 1. How much sunlight does a garden need every day? __________________ 2. What happens after you plan the location of your garden?
________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ 3. What happens before you plant your seeds?
________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ 4. What materials do you need for vegetable gardening?
________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ 5. What tools to you need to plant a vegetable garden?
________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ 6. What is the first step in vegetable gardening?
________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ 7. What is the last step in vegetable gardening?
________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ©2010 abcteach.com
Nutrition & Health/Gardening/Vegetable
Fun in the Garden! Vegetable Gardening Answer Key Reading Comprehension Answers: 1. The location of the garden, the types of vegetables you want to grow, and where you are planting the vegetables all need to be planned before you start working in your garden. 2. The best location for the garden is in an area that has at least 6 hours of direct sunlight every day, has good drainage, 3. It is important to know your growing season so that you plant vegetables that will germinate and grow to maturity within the time you have. 4. You have to turn over the soil and add conditioners and fertilizers, as well as get rid of any lumps, rocks and roots in the soil before you can plant seeds. 5. Use the seed package as a guide to planting your seeds in the garden. 6. You should wait a day to water your garden after a heavy rain, to give the garden time to drain. 7. If you do not pull the entire root of the weed, it will grow back and threaten your plants. 8. Vegetables from the garden should always be washed, because they will have dirt, any fertilizer you use, and insects on them.
Functional Text Answers: 1. The garden needs at least six hours of direct sunlight every day. 2. You plan what vegetables you are planting and where you are putting them in the garden. 3. You till the soil, and add conditioner and fertilizer to it. Make sure there are no lumps, rocks or roots in the soil, and rake it flat. 4. Materials you need for vegetable gardening are seeds, compost, soil conditioner, fertilizer, and an available water source for vegetable gardening. 5. Tools you need for planting a vegetable gardening are a rototiller machine or garden pitchfork and shovel. You will also need a metal gardening rake and a garden hoe. 6. The first step in vegetable gardening is to plan the location of the garden. 7. The last step in vegetable gardening is to harvest and wash the vegetables.
©2010 abcteach.com
Name: _________________
Date: _______
Vegetable Gardening E S O C U
S H O V E L N
I Y T I L L
D C M P A E R ZOO H S E WI
SEEDS TILL WATER ROOTS SHOVEL
B L Q E N H E E
D G A R D E N V
L P M I D L V R O G G A E O J H R N G OMT O T E T WT W E T SM J L A E S B Q P L J S OW A E SOH F J E D SWA T E R HA R V E S T E V GARDEN HOE LIGHT LEAVES GROW
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PLANT SOIL VEGETABLES SOW HARVEST www.abcteach.com May not be sold/redistributed without permission
Vegetable Gardening E S O C U
S H O V E L N
I Y T I L L
D C M P A E R ZOO H S E WI
B L Q E N H E E
D G A R D E N V
L P M I D L V R O G G A E O J H R N G OMT O T E T WT W E T SM J L A E S B Q P L J S OW A E SOH F J E D SWA T E R HA R V E S T E V
User-created with abctools® for home and classroom use only. Graphics and format ©2000-2010 abcteach® Vegetable Gardening
www.abcteach.com May not be sold/redistributed without permission
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Orange B4, C1, C4, C7, D2, E4, F3, F5, G4 D4, D6, E3, E5, F1, F2, Brown F6, F7, G3, G5, H2, F4 H4, H6, I1, I4, I7, J4 Copyright 2007 abcteach.com
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Garden Project
Garden Plot Objective: To create a record of a newly planted garden, so that plants will be easy to identify as they grow. To learn and practice mapping skills. You will need: • grid paper • pencil • colored pencils • ruler • measuring tape Instructions: Teachers/Parents: 1. Discuss the importance of garden planning. 2. Discuss map-making skills. Students: 1. Measure your garden. Create a scale that will allow you to draw your garden on the grid paper (i.e. one square = one square foot). 2. Draw the outer border of your garden on the grid paper. 3. Create a legend with symbols to represent the plants in your garden (i.e. red “T” for a tomato plant, yellow circle for a yellow rose plant, etc.). 4. Use colored pencils to draw your plant symbols in your garden plot. Stay as true to scale as possible. 5. As your garden grows, refer to your plot to identify plants. 6. Make changes to the plot as needed if plants die or new ones are added. Hints: • Do not try to be too exact. Estimate distances smaller than your scale unit. • Keep your Garden Plot in your Gardening Journal.
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Garden Project
Legend:
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Lapbook
Insects and Spiders
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Lapbook
Theme Words SPIDER COCOON INSECT NEST CRAWL HIVE CREEPY BUTTERFLY ANT WEB Cut out the square and fold on dotted lines to make a booklet.
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Lapbook Two Pockets: Fold flaps back. Glue flaps to lapbook.
Matchbooks: Fold on dotted. Fold with words at the top of the book.
Make a list of things you know about grasshoppers.
How many legs does a spider typically have?
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Lapbook Flash Cards: Add information to these cards. Store in pockets.
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Lapbook
1. Glue this side to the lapbook. 2. Glue horizontally or vertically. 3. Fold on center line. Cut the dotted lines to create the flaps. 4. Write a question to go with each image on the flap. 5. Answer the questions under the flap.
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Natural Resources Activity - Products & Uses Teacher Instructions Objective: To reinforce the relationship between natural resources, their uses, and the goods that are produced from them. Materials: Natural Resource Cards, tape, Natural Resource Products worksheet, objects in the classroom made from natural resources. Preparation: • Print a set of cards for each student or group. Cut the cards apart (or have students cut them in class). • Check your classroom in advance to be sure that there are many examples of natural resource products. Bring extra items into the classroom if necessary. Activity: • Pass out the cards to students or groups. • Instruct students to select a Natural Resource Card and find an object in the classroom that is made from that resource. • Place or tape the card on the object. • Students should do this for each card he/she has. • Students should look for different objects from what other students have chosen. • After all the cards have been placed, discuss each card’s placement with the class. Have the student state why the object was chosen. Correct if necessary. • Have students complete the Natural Resource Products worksheet based on their findings. Suggested items: • forests: paper or wood - desk, ruler, books, poster, door, etc. • soil: glass, bricks, pottery, potting soil, clay, sand art, concrete, etc. • water: drinks, paint, wet wipes, fountain, sink, wet sponge, etc. • minerals: metal or rock - lockers, magnet, electronics, chalk, etc. • plants: fruit, vegetables, cotton, blue jeans, rope, house plant, etc. • animals: leather, wool, ivory, sea shells, bristle brushes, etc. • air: person, plant, fan, air conditioner, pinwheel, balloon, etc. • solar energy: solar-powered calculator, plant, sunlight, etc. © 2008 abcteach.com
Name ____________________ Date ______________
Natural Resource Products & Uses List objects in your classroom that come from natural resources.
1. forests _________________ _________________ _________________
2. soil _________________ _________________ _________________
3. water _________________ _________________ _________________
4. minerals _________________ _________________ _________________
5. plants _________________ _________________ _________________
6. animals _________________ _________________ _________________
7. air _________________ _________________ _________________
8. solar energy _________________ _________________ _________________
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Forests
Soil
Water
Minerals
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Solar Energy
Air
Plants
Animals
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Natural Resources Wall Hanging MATERIALS: 3 pages of printouts (1 of globe, 2 of resource signs) Crayons, markers or colored pencils Scissors Glue ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Color the globe and natural resource signs. 2. Cut out the globe along the dotted lines. 3. Cut out the natural resource signs along the dotted lines. You should have 3 long strips (with 3 signs on each) and 3 separate signs. 4. Glue each separate sign to the bottom of a long strip, making 3 long strips with 4 signs on each one. 5. Glue each strip to the bottom edge of the globe cutout. 6. Let the glue dry. Display your wall hanging!
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Object of the Game - Learn about the parts of plants. How to Play - Place each card into the correct flower pot. Sort by stems, flowers, leaves and fruit.
Teachers: Note: If desired, the cards can be color coded to self-check. Assembly Instructions - Attach above graphic to front of file folder. Attach the two pages with flower pots inside file folder. Cut out cards. Laminate the file folder and cards for durability.
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Parts of a Plant
Leaves
A leaf is the flat green part of the plant where photosynthesis takes place. Plants usually have many leaves. Plants store sunlight in their leaves.
Stem
Flower
The stem is the long center support for the plant. Leaves and flowers grow from the stem. Water and nutrients travel up through the stem to other parts of the plant.
The flower is the part of the plant that produces seeds to grow more plants. Flowers come in many colors. Bees and birds feed on the nectar made by flowers.
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Fruit
Roots
Fruit contains seeds. Fruit begins as a The roots of a plant grow underground and are usually not seen. They support flower. It can be either soft like a strawberry or hard like a nut. Many the plant and anchor it to the ground. Roots draw water and nutrients from fruits are good to eat. the soil for the entire plant.
Seeds
A seed is the very beginning of a plant. Seeds are planted in the soil and grow into plants. Plants produce more seeds that will grow new plants. (Which came first - the seed or the plant?) ©2008
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Bud
A bud is the start of a flower. It is very small at first, but gets larger. The bud will open into a flower. The green leaves covering the bud are called sepals.
Pod
Vein
A pod is a covering that protects seeds. Once the seeds are mature, the pod opens and the seeds are scattered.
Veins are the lines that you can see on leaves. They are actually tiny tubes that take water and nutrients from the stem to leaf cells.
Petiole
Margin
The petiole is the smaller stem that The margin is the edge of a leaf. Leaf connects a leaf to the main stem. margins can be smooth, jagged, or Leaves that have a petiole are called fringed. Leaf margins help to identify petiolate. Leaves that attach directly leaves and plants. to the stem are called sessile. ©2008
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Terminal Bud
Axillary Bud
The terminal bud is a bud that grows An axillary bud is a bud that grows at the very end of a stem. If it grows where the leaf attaches to the stem. at the very top of the plant it is It is called axillary because it grows in often called an apical bud. the axil - the angle between the stem and the petiole.
Node
Internode
The node is the place where leaves grow out from the stem. Tiny nodes hold the bud for new leaves.
The internode is the part of the stem between nodes. The internode strengthens the stem.
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Bulb
Tap Root
A bulb is a very short stem that A taproot is the center part of a root grows underground. Leaves grow that grows straight down. directly out of the bulb. Bulbs can It anchors the plant. reproduce themselves and grow more Other roots grow from the taproot. bulbs which grow new plants.
Root Hair
Root Tip
Root hairs are tiny roots that grow off larger roots. They grow out into the soil to soak up more water and nutrients.
The root tip is the end of the root. At the very tip is a covering called the root cap that helps the root to grow downward through the soil.
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Spring Center Activity
Science Parts of a Plant You will need: Parts of a Plant printout Diagram of Plant Parts printout scissors glue © 2008 abcteach.com
Read Parts of a Plant. Cut out the pictures below. Match the pictures to the words on the next page. Glue the pictures in place.
Parts of a Plant Plants have many parts. Each part has a special job to do. Roots are the part of the plant you don’t see. They are underground. Roots hold the plant in place. Roots also soak up water and food from the soil to feed the plant. The stem is the main part of the plant. It holds the plant up. Food and water travel through the stem to all parts of the plant. The leaves soak up sunlight to feed the plant. The flower makes seeds to grow more plants.
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Name ___________________
Diagram of Plant Parts
Flower
Stem
Leaf
Roots © 2008 abcteach.com
Leaf
