TeachersFirst - Featured Sites: Week of Apr 26, 2020
Here are this week's features. Clicking the tags in the description area of each listing will present a list of other resources with this topic. | Click here to return to the Featured Sites Archive
Flowers Seeking Pollinators - California Academy of Sciences
Grades
2 to 7
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This 90-minute lesson plan incorporates the use of real data to teach students about plant reproduction and how pollinators are attracted to different types of flowers. The heart of...more
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This 90-minute lesson plan incorporates the use of real data to teach students about plant reproduction and how pollinators are attracted to different types of flowers. The heart of the lesson includes students creating an imaginary garden. In addition to the lesson instructions, this site contains links to printables used during lesson activities. The lesson provides correlations to Next Generation Science Standards.
tag(s): insects (69), plants (144), reproduction (6)
In the Classroom
In a perfect world, students would use this lesson as a starting point for planting and growing their imaginary garden. Although it might not be possible to plant a garden in every case, consider using portions of the lesson to let students grow a plant of their choice in the classroom. Enhance learning by using edublogs, reviewed here, or Adobe Creative Cloud Express for Education, reviewed here, to document the growing process including failures and successes. Include images, videos, and student writing to document their learning.
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Kitchen Garden Planner - Gardener's Supply Company
Grades
K to 8
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Plan and design your perfect kitchen garden with the easy to use tools found on the Kitchen Garden Planner. Use the drop-down boxes to select a width and size for ...more
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Plan and design your perfect kitchen garden with the easy to use tools found on the Kitchen Garden Planner. Use the drop-down boxes to select a width and size for the grid to place plant options. After choosing the size of your garden, add items by dropping and dragging plants of your choice into your grid. Scroll through the provided list to select from a large variety of fruits, vegetables, and herbs starting with Alpine Strawberries through Winter Squash. Save completed gardens to the site or use the links to print or email your garden plan.
In the Classroom
Use the garden planner in a variety of content areas. In math, use the grid system found on the site to reinforce multiplication and addition facts. In science, ask students to create vegetable gardens or fruit gardens as they learn about different types of plants. Have older students research planting zones to create a garden appropriate for your location or research methods used for organic gardening. After learning about plants and gardens, have students use a comic creation tool like ToonyTool, reviewed here, to create single frame cartoons. Create cartoons with gardening tips or plant facts.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Plants Map - Bill Blevins
Grades
4 to 12
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Plants Map is an online resource for plant enthusiasts that allows you to create communities, personal plant libraries, and map personal gardens. Explore the site using a keyword search...more
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Plants Map is an online resource for plant enthusiasts that allows you to create communities, personal plant libraries, and map personal gardens. Explore the site using a keyword search or by browsing through the home page to view different plants and information such as locations and type of growth. Be sure to click on the word "Help" on the very bottom menu to find "Getting Started Articles" and to view video tutorials with full details about using the site to create collections and your private maps. If your district blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable.
tag(s): communities (36), maps (209), plants (144)
In the Classroom
Share Plants Map on your interactive whiteboard or projector to locate and discover different kinds of plants. Click the map to find species near you. If you are lucky enough to have a school garden, Plants Map is the perfect site for planning, documenting, and sharing your garden with your students and community.Edge Features:
Parent permission advised before posting student work created using this tool
Includes Interaction w general public/ public galleries with unmoderated content
Requires registration/log-in (WITH email)
Products can be shared by URL
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How Does Your Garden Grow? A Project-Based Approach to Learning - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 6
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Implement every aspect of the curriculum through gardening using this TeachersFirst special Help! I Lost My Library/Media Specialist article. Find suggested books (many with links for...more
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Implement every aspect of the curriculum through gardening using this TeachersFirst special Help! I Lost My Library/Media Specialist article. Find suggested books (many with links for activities for the book), background knowledge, a section on gathering information (with suggested activities), suggested activities for growing your garden, ISTE Standards for Students and AASL National School Library Standards, extension activities and more. The ideas and activties can range in grade levels from kindergarten to seventh grade. This is only one of many classroom-ready articles in our Help! I lost my library/media specialist!. If food and nutrition are more of a focus, you will want to check out this article from the Help! I lost my library/media specialist! series.
tag(s): book lists (161), life cycles (21), plants (144), soil (16)
In the Classroom
After reading one or two of the suggested books as a class, brainstorm what students know about gardens using your interactive whiteboard or projector. Consider setting up stations around the room with the other recommended books and their activities; be sure to request some of the books on inter-library loan if you do not have them in your school. After completing the stations, return to the brainstorm and revise what students know about gardens and planting. Use some of the ideas from Gather Information to implement spring garden planting, literacy, and a growing understanding of science. Next step, planting! Use one or more of the ideas in this article for planting your garden. You might even consider working across grade levels and subjects and planning a school garden together. Your health/PE teacher will probably join in the effort! Follow through with one or more of the Show What You Know suggestions.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Grow For It - North Carolina 4H
Grades
2 to 12
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Grow For It offers lessons and resources for exploring agriculture, natural resources, and insects! Download several different lessons correlated to Common Core and/or North...more
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Grow For It offers lessons and resources for exploring agriculture, natural resources, and insects! Download several different lessons correlated to Common Core and/or North Carolina Standards. Find teaching materials about gardening, insects, and soil erosion. Some lessons offer additional materials not included as part of teacher training, provided by 4H services. However, free materials include detailed lessons and activities worth exploring. Be sure to explore other links for grant opportunities, weekend projects, and a "Plant Geek Pledge."
tag(s): agriculture (49), ecosystems (72), erosion (14), insects (69), natural resources (37), nutrition (134), plants (144), soil (16)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the free lesson plans included on the Grow For It site as part of a plant or nutrition unit. Share ideas from the site with parents interested in helping set up a school or classroom garden. Once you have started your garden, engage students by having them upload a photo they have taken and add their voice to explain what they learned using a tool such as Blabberize, reviewed here. Ask a local 4H leader or Coop Extension Agent to come to your classroom to discuss local plants and gardening ideas.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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National Farm to School Network - Tides Center National Farm to School Network
Grades
K to 12
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The Farm to School Network is a resource connecting school communities with local food producers. Visit the link to "learn" to find resources by topic, setting, or type, such as ...more
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The Farm to School Network is a resource connecting school communities with local food producers. Visit the link to "learn" to find resources by topic, setting, or type, such as documents, videos, and webinars. Get involved by visiting the "act" link that shares ways to advocate, celebrate, and network with others. The "connect" link lets users search by state to find programs and resources and state farm-to-school websites.
In the Classroom
Visit this site for information about nutritious foods, local produce, and in-school gardening projects. The Farm to School Network resource center includes several lesson plans that offer opportunities for students to learn about growing and harvesting fruits and vegetables. Learn more about the many diverse ways to design and support school gardens by visiting School Garden Resources, reviewed here.
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You Are What You Eat - Examining Nutrition through Literature - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 7
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Use this special article from TeacherFirst to refresh and enliven your health and nutrition unit. Discover many activities, books, and resources to use in your classroom or online in...more
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Use this special article from TeacherFirst to refresh and enliven your health and nutrition unit. Discover many activities, books, and resources to use in your classroom or online in your health and nutrition lessons, and also to implement in cross-curricular instruction. Employ both ISTE Standards for Students and AASL National School Library Standards. The ideas and activties can range in grade levels from kindergarten to seventh grade. This is only one of many classroom-ready articles in our Help! I lost my library/media specialist!.
tag(s): commoncore (75), nutrition (134)
In the Classroom
This is a thorough unit on food and nutrition. Start with activating prior knowledge on your interactive whiteboard or using your projector. Use Padlet, reviewed here, once students have sorted their favorites into categories and project the results on your whiteboard. When teaching science, social studies, or health content about nutrition, foods, plants, or farms, consider pairing fictional books along with informational texts (several are suggested) to maximize the potential of every unit of study. This article is a good starting point. What a perfect way to integrate healthy eating, whether during the holiday season or spring garden planting! Speaking of planting, whether you are considering or implementing a school garden unit you will want to check out this article.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Edible Schoolyard Project - Alice Waters
Grades
K to 12
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Visit this incredible site to bring students of all ages into a positive relationship with food by connecting it with nature and culture. Click Resources from the top menu bar ...more
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Visit this incredible site to bring students of all ages into a positive relationship with food by connecting it with nature and culture. Click Resources from the top menu bar and the Resource Library to discover a sustainable food curriculum that includes Farm to School ideas and much more. This project shares a food curriculum for schools around the world to put into practice. Search and explore inspiring ideas, programs that work, and the voices of the movement. Add your own story or classroom to the project to share with others around the world.
tag(s): nutrition (134), plants (144), sustainability (44)
In the Classroom
Use the search feature to find lessons by grade, topic, or even season. View videos available on The Edible Schoolyard to learn how to begin a classroom or school garden. Show the videos to parents to encourage help and participation. If your school doesn't have an area for planting a garden, be creative! Plant a small garden in a wagon to roll in and out each day! Enhance learning by creating a class wiki using PBWorks, reviewed here, and having students update your garden's growth through pictures and words each week. Not comfortable with wikis? Check out the TeachersFirst Wiki Walk-Through.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Grow a Garden in a Glove - Museum of Science and Industry
Grades
3 to 9
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This site provides instructions (on 6 simple slides) on how to grow seeds in a plastic glove. It is an awesome project. Seed varieties could be adjusted to suit classroom ...more
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This site provides instructions (on 6 simple slides) on how to grow seeds in a plastic glove. It is an awesome project. Seed varieties could be adjusted to suit classroom needs. A nice feature of this site is that the directions are printable so if computer access is limited, the lab can still take place.
tag(s): photosynthesis (20), plants (144)
In the Classroom
This site could be used to study photosynthesis, seed germinations, and the basic requirements of life. Share the slides on your projector or interactive whiteboard. The teacher could set this up and grow the seeds and then show them to the students to begin an inquiry. This could lead to discussions on oxygen and carbon dioxide, limiting factors, environment, and growth. It could be used as a long term project where students journal the daily or weekly changes of the seeds. Replace paper journals and engage students by using a digital blog like Penzu, reviewed here; with Penzu you can add images or your own artwork as illustrations. Enhance student learning by having cooperative learning groups take digital pictures of their progress and narrate the photos. Challenge students upload a photo they have taken and add their voice to chronicle the progress using a tool such as Blabberize, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Gardening/Spring Flowers - Myvocabulary.com
Grades
4 to 9
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As part of their extensive site for vocabulary, roots, and more, MyVocabulary.com has added a themed area for gardening. Find interactive vocabulary activities using gardening vocabulary...more
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As part of their extensive site for vocabulary, roots, and more, MyVocabulary.com has added a themed area for gardening. Find interactive vocabulary activities using gardening vocabulary words. You will also find printable crosswords, fill in the blanks and more, all using the same theme words. This and other "themes" available on the site will make vocabulary development fun.
tag(s): vocabulary (235)
In the Classroom
Share the puzzles on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Have students work with a partner to try out the puzzles on their own. Have students (or groups) create their own word puzzles to share as a class challenge as a student-run interactive whiteboard activity or share them on a class wiki.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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School Garden Curriculum - Calif. School Garden Network
Grades
3 to 8
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Here's a complete curriculum for schools interested in starting a school garden. Created in California, teachers in other regions will likely need to make some adjustments to some of...more
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Here's a complete curriculum for schools interested in starting a school garden. Created in California, teachers in other regions will likely need to make some adjustments to some of the materials, but the site contains extensive resources for teachers to use in constructing their own lessons based on the gardening experience.
tag(s): plants (144)
In the Classroom
There are some great interdisciplinary opportunities here, but teachers will need to work thoughtfully to adapt the raw materials to local circumstances. Consider sharing information from this site with your school's parent/teacher organization to gain support and possible funding for a garden project. Gardening is a perfect topic for student blogs. Have students replace paper and pencil journals and use Edublog, reviewed here, to share the progress of their gardens including images and journal entries.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Kids Gardening - National Gardening Association
Grades
3 to 8
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Get involved with gardening throughout the community using ideas from Kids Gardening! Scroll down the home page to see an overview of what is offered for educators and caregivers (at-home...more
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Get involved with gardening throughout the community using ideas from Kids Gardening! Scroll down the home page to see an overview of what is offered for educators and caregivers (at-home activities and more). Then, explore the menu at the top to see all topics available. For instance, under the What's New tab, you will find The Latest, Garden Stories, and Recent Posts. Next, click Learning Tools to see specifics for Getting Started for Educators and Caregivers. The Learning Tools tab also offers Resources and Activities for Play and Learning, and Growing a Garden. Choose from these categories to find how-to guides, lessons, and projects. Learn how to make the most of "gardening moments." Be sure to take some time to explore this site for many valuable ideas for indoor and outdoor gardening projects.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
In the Classroom
If you aren't lucky enough to have outdoor gardening space, take advantage of ideas offered for indoor gardens, such as terrariums and container gardening. Check out the extensive lesson library to search by theme, standards, season, and more. You will also find lessons and activities appropriate for science and math. Use the Growing Poems, found here, to enhance your classroom poetry unit. Whatever activities you choose, have students record the growth in their garden or container by taking photos. As a summation for your gardening project use Photo Joiner Collage Maker, reviewed here, to create a collage of your garden photos with special effects, text, frames, and more.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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