Second grade
6 Garden Reflections
Objectives/Assessment Targets
Students will:
- Make leaf and flower presses.
- Write poems, stories, or drawings reflective of garden experiences.
- Recall favorite garden lessons.
Activity Preparation
This lesson can be used throughout the year as a way to check-in with students on what they have learned in the garden. Apply this lesson throughout the year, at halfway points, or as part of a reflection exercise for the end of the year.
Materials
- Construction paper
- Art sponges
- Paint
- Drawing materials
- Glue or tape
- Heavy objects to help seal the flower and leaf presses
- Worksheet, Garden Reflections, on page 2 in student workbooks
Activity 1: Making Leaf and Flower Presses
Prompt students to think about what they learned thus far in the garden. Review best practices for harvesting and gathering garden objects. Students collect leaves and flowers found in the garden. Demonstrate how to make leaf and flower prints:
- Use a sponge lightly dipped in paint to cover the leaf. Press the painted leaf onto the paper.
- Press flowers between paper towels and place a heavy object over them.
- Remove the heavy object and layered paper to reveal a pressed flower or leaf.
- Add glue to the plant and place it on a piece of construction paper.
- Glue other garden objects onto the paper.
Activity 2: Reflective Words
Direct students to add to their flower and leaf press to their worksheet, Garden Reflections, on page 2 in their workbooks. Prompt them to think about what they learned about leaves and flowers:
- A poem that describes the parts of a leaf and/or a flower.
- A diagram/drawing to show what plants need in order to survive.
- Instructions on how to make compost.
- An imaginary conversation between a flower and a pollinator.
NGSS Disciplinary Core Idea LS2.A: Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems
Plants depend on water and light to grow.
NGSS Disciplinary Core Idea LS2.A: Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems
Plants depend on animals for pollination or to move their seeds around.
NGSS Science/Engineering Practice 4: Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Use and share pictures, drawings, and/or writings of observations.
Student Reflection
What was the most interesting thing you learned about the garden this year? What did you add to your worksheet and why? What do you want to know more about?
English Language Learning (ELL) Focus: Superlatives and Past Tense
- The most interesting thing I learned was __________.
- The most surprising thing I learned was __________.
The content found in this demo chapter has been adapted from Berkeley Public Schools’ Gardening and Cooking Program via www.oercommons.org.
