Prior Featured Lessons

Developing a School Garden: A school garden is an outdoor classroom; a living laboratory that provides authentic science-based learning experiences. These lessons also address the following California Standards for the Teacher Profession: 1.3; 2.2; 3.4, and 3.5.

Soil: Dig a little and you will learn a lot! We may walk all over it, take it for granted and treat it like dirt. However, it is SOIL, and our lives depend on it! Master Gardeners’ featured lessons for the winter quarter focus on increasing student awareness of the scientific phenomena of soil.

Lesson Grades TK-1: What is in Our Garden Bed?

(Pre-School Life Science 1.3; KEES3.A & E; 1LS1.A)

Lesson Grades 2-3: Exploring the Changing Surface of Land

(2-ESS2.A; 2-ESS1.C; 2-ETS1.C; 3-ESS2.D; 3-ESS3.B)

Lessons Grade 4-5: Impacts on Earth’s Systems-From Rocks to Soil

How is Soil Formed? (4ESS2.D; 5LS2.B)

What is the Ideal Soil for Growing Plants? (4ESS2.E; 5LS2.B; 5LS1.C)

Lessons Grades 6-8: Soil: Exploring Biodiversity and Soil Management

Soil is a Living System (MSLS2A: MSLS2B)

Biodiversity and Soil Health (MSLS2.C)

Soil pH-Where Chemistry and Biology Meet (MS LS2.C)

Pollination: Pollinator Week is an annual celebration held every June in support of pollinator health. These lessons focus on increasing student awareness of the scientific phenomena of pollination.

Grades TK-1: What Do Bees Need? (Pre-School Life Science 1.3; KLS1.C; 1LS1.A; 1LS1.D)

Grades 2-3: Plants and Insects Need Each Other (2LS4.D; 2LS2.A; 3LS3.A; 3LS1.B; 3LS4.C)

Grade 4-5: Why Do We Need Bees? (4LS1.A; 5LS2.A; 5LS1.C)

Grades 6-8: Pollination-Exploring Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystem

Pollen and Plant Reproduction (MSL1.A; MSLS1-B)

Pollinator-Plant Relationship (MSLS2.A)

Impacts on Pollinator-Plant Relationship (MSLS2.C)

Water: The Driving Force of All Life

In her book Last Oasis: Facing Water Scarcity, Conservationist Sandra Postel writes, “For many of us, water simply flows from a faucet, and we think little about it beyond this point of contact. We have lost a sense of respect for the wild river, for the complex workings of a wetland, for the intricate web of life that water supports.”

Master Gardeners’ featured lessons for the warmer growing months of spring into fall focus on increasing student awareness of the scientific phenomena of water.

Lesson Grades TK-1: Why Do Plants Need Water?

Pre-School Life Science 2.2; KEES3.A; 1LS1.A

Lesson Grades 2-3: Water’s Role in Plant Adaptations

2-LS2.A; 2-LS4.D; 3LS2.C; 3-LS3B; 3-LS4.C

Lessons Grade 4-5: Water Resources and Plant Survival

Freshwater is a Valuable Natural Resource: 4-ESS3.A; 5-ESS2.C

Watering Tips to Conserve This Natural Resource: 5-ESS3.C

Lessons Grades 6-8: Water-The Hydrosphere

What is the Hydrologic Cycle? MS-ESS2.C

A Closer Look at the Role of Plant’s in the Hydrologic Cycle: MS-LS1.A; MS-LS1.C

Weather and Water in the Garden: MS-LS1.B