Lessons
The purpose of this lesson is for students to understand the basics of composting and its importance in the garden. After learning about the different ingredients needed to make compost, students make their own compost stew. Students will also carefully observe worms in the garden or in a bin in the classroom and learn about their role in the decomposition process.
The purpose of this lesson is for students to make connections between the weather and seasonal food. After discussing seasons, weather, and plant growth, students study a seasonal food chart and then create their own. They also search for signs of life in the winter garden, make observational drawings, and predict how the garden will change in other seasons. This lesson supports the DCPS Kindergarten ELA Unit Water and Precipitation and the Science Unit Dealing with Weather.
The purpose of this lesson is for students to become familiar with the ways that seeds vary in color, shape and size. They will dissect fruits to compare and classify their seeds and explore the structure and function of fruits and seeds by building models and making observations. They will also work with a variety of seeds to practice sorting, counting, addition and subtraction.
The purpose of this lesson is for students to explore vegetables. They will choose vegetables they would like to plant in the garden, carefully observe a few winter vegetables and celebrate the variety of vegetables they can eat.
The purpose of this lesson is for students to identify and describe patterns of what plants need to survive, as well as investigate what helps plants thrive. Students will prepare soil for spring gardening and search for plants in the garden that are not healthy, that are surviving and that are thriving. Students will also create a guide about how to care for plants. This lesson supports the DCPS Kindergarten Science Unit Living Things and Their Habitats.
The purpose of this lesson is for students to learn about conservation, specifically tree conservation, and practice ways they can participate in conservation efforts. Through a read aloud, students will learn how to protect and appreciate the trees in our natural world. They will make seed paper by recycling old newspaper, create art from recycled items, and prepare a recipe using recycled edible plant parts. This lesson supports the DCPS ELA Kindergarten Unit Conservation.
Sample Lessons
Access three full lessons here to view the structure, depth, alignment, and versatility of our curriculum.
How to Access Our Curriculum
To access full versions of our 63 standards-based themed lessons by grade level, please register with us. Once you are registered, you will be able to download the full lesson PDFs on each lesson page.