Corn and the Columbian Exchange

OBJECTIVE Students will understand the process of seed to fork through the lens of corn. Students will explore the transformation of corn over thousands of years, and how it has become the primary crop used in the U.S. today. ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS What is corn? Where does corn come from? How did corn affect our history? […]

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Core curriculum subjects ,
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Growing Classroom Pea Shoots

OBJECTIVE Students will learn about what seeds need to grow by planting, taking care of, harvesting and eating pea shoots. ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS How do seeds grow? What are our favorite fruits and veggies? MATERIALS NEEDED Container for plantingOrganic potting soilSoaked and un-soaked pea seeds (bag of yellow peas at grocery store is 89 cents) Just […]

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Core curriculum subjects
Island Grown Schools topics

Gleaning Lesson

OBJECTIVE Students will be able to identify plants that have gone to seed, and will recognize the power in saving seeds in their garden for the future. ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS Why is seed saving important? MATERIALS NEEDED Seed saving: Colander, envelopes, pencils, seed saving basketHerb drying: dehydrator, trays for drying, scissorsGarden work: harvest basket, gloves, cultivators, […]

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Core curriculum subjects
Island Grown Schools topics ,

Garden in a Bag

OBJECTIVE Students will understand what seeds need to grow. Students will know the term “germinate” and they will be able to identify parts of a sprouting seed. ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS What do seeds need to grow? MATERIALS NEEDED • Clear zip lock sandwich bags• Dry or soaked beans• Paper towels• Permanent marker• Stapler PROCEDURE Introduction:Review living […]

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Core curriculum subjects
Island Grown Schools topics

Find the Seed

OBJECTIVE Students will explore different plants to find the seeds. They will begin to identify the different parts of the plant, and come up with questions about the origins of seeds. ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS Where do seeds come from? MATERIALS NEEDED Plant parts for students to study: garlic, corn, sunflower, Swiss chard/ kale/lettuce, tomato, pepper, chives/herbs, […]

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Core curriculum subjects
Island Grown Schools topics

Bird feeders

OBJECTIVE Students will be able to identify different types of seeds used in bird feed. Students will understand the different uses of these seeds and why they are important. ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS Why are seeds important? Who uses seeds to survive? MATERIALS NEEDED Birdseed (allergy alert)PineconesPeanut butter/sunbutter (allergy alert) Twine/stringPlastic spoons or wooden stirrers for spreading […]

Grade levels
Core curriculum subjects
Island Grown Schools topics