Our class has taken on the responsibility of caring for the plants in our garden. We will research the best plants to grow in our environment and which things grow the best in which seasons. We will discover what plants need to survive and then plan to cater for those needs. The plants will be protected from bugs such as snails, caterpillars and slaters. We will harvest the crops as they grow and mature. We will feed the soil with nutrients. As our gardens beds are set up with a wicking system, we will make sure the wicking bed is full and check them on a regular basis. We will keep feeding the worms in each of the garden beds and make sure the worm farms don't dry out. As out plants are provided by Bunnings - we will contact them and ask if we can have some more plants. We will need to top up the soil with some good soil and fertilizer before we plant the plants. once the plants have grown we will share them with others - or even see if we can sell some. We will learn about the various plants and find out what special care they may need and we will research how they are pollinated. We will also research how to know if the plant/vegetable/fruit is ready to harvest. We will also learn about rotating the beds so that the soil gets the nutrients replaced. We may take the time to measure the growth and put this on a graph.

Art

• Students can create botanical illustrations of the plants they are caring for in the garden, focusing on the details of the leaves, flowers, and fruits.
• They could design colorful signs and labels for the different plant varieties in the garden, combining artistic skills with informative content.
• Students might make sculptures or installations using natural materials gathered from the garden, expressing their connection to the environment through artistic creation.

English

• Students can write descriptive essays about the process of caring for the plants, communicating their observations and experiences with gardening.
• They could compose persuasive letters to Bunnings, requesting more plants and providing reasons why the garden project is important for their learning and the community.
• Students might write informative guides on how to care for specific plants, incorporating the research findings from their investigation into plant needs.

Math

• Students can measure and record the growth of the plants over time, creating line graphs to visually represent the development of the garden.
• They might calculate the surface area of the garden beds and the volume of soil needed for top-ups and fertilizer, applying practical math skills to the gardening project.
• Students could use multiplication and division to estimate the number of plants that can be shared or sold once they have matured, exploring real-life applications of math in their garden activities.

Physical Education

• Students can engage in garden maintenance activities such as filling the wicking beds and turning the garden soil, promoting physical fitness through hands-on work.
• They might create a fun and active game that incorporates knowledge about plant needs and protection from insects, combining the garden focus with physical activity.
• Students could lead a "garden yoga" session, using the garden as a peaceful environment to practice relaxation and mindfulness in connection with nature.

Science

• Students can study the life cycles and behaviors of the insects they are protecting the plants from, gaining a deeper understanding of the ecosystem in the garden.
• They could conduct experiments to test the effects of different nutrients on plant growth, developing scientific hypotheses and observing the results in the garden setting.
• Students might research and observe the process of pollination in the garden, identifying the roles of different pollinators and their impact on plant reproduction.

Social Studies

• Students can explore the history and cultural significance of the plants they are growing, connecting their garden project to broader social and historical contexts.
• They might investigate sustainable gardening practices from different cultures and societies, highlighting the importance of environmental stewardship in diverse communities.
• Students could analyze the economic aspects of sharing or selling the plants they have grown, considering the potential impact on the local community and the value of their gardening efforts.

Encourage students to document their gardening experiences through writing, drawing, and photography. They can create a scrapbook or digital portfolio to showcase the progress of the garden, including observations, reflections, and lessons learned throughout the project.

Book Recommendations

• The New Organic Grower: A Master's Manual of Tools and Techniques for the Home and Market Gardener by Eliot Coleman: This comprehensive guide provides valuable insights and practical tips for organic gardening, covering topics relevant to the students' garden project.
• Kids Garden Activity Book by Whitney Cohen and John Fisher: This interactive book offers engaging activities and projects for young gardeners, providing inspiration and guidance for hands-on learning in the garden.
• Plant, Cook, Eat!: A Children's Cookbook by Joe Archer and Caroline Craig: This cookbook introduces children to the joys of growing and cooking their own food, connecting the garden experience with culinary exploration.