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Notes for teachers

Plastic can be used as a base if you are going to plant seeds and have them water so that they germinate.

List of Materials

Cardboard or plywood
Craft sticks or popsicle sticks
Hot glue gun and glue sticks
plastic garbage bag/baggies
acrylic paints (optional)
paintbrushes (optional)
Soil (for filling the model)
Markers or colored pencils
Small fake plants or seeds
pipe cleaners
construction paper
tape/glue
Writing materials (paper, pencils, etc.)

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Standards

6.L2U1.13

Develop and use models to demonstrate the interdependence of organisms and their environment including biotic and abiotic factors.

6.L2U1.14

Construct a model that shows the cycling of matter and flow of energy in ecosystems.

Standards

6.W.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. (Grade‐ specific expectations for writing types are defined in standards 1–3 above.) 6

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Objective(s):

I will understand the concept of raised bed gardening and its benefits.
I will design and construct a raised bed garden model.
I will write clear and concise directions to guide others in building a raised bed garden model.

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Agenda (lesson time)

I would allow two class periods for this activity.

Introduction (10 minutes):

Begin the lesson by discussing the benefits of raised bed gardening, such as improved soil drainage and easier access for gardening.
Show visual examples or real-life pictures of raised bed gardens to help students visualize the concept.
Engage students in a brief discussion about their prior knowledge or experiences with gardening.

Brainstorming and Planning (15 minutes):

Explain to students that they will be designing and building a raised bed garden model.
Encourage students to brainstorm ideas for their model, including the size and shape of the garden bed, types of plants to include, and any additional features like paths or trellises.
Have students sketch their design ideas on paper, labeling important elements

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Intro

Why do we need soil as part of a healthy ecosystem? Do decomposers play a role in having healthy soil?

When planting a garden, healthy soil is very important. Can anyone tell me what else we would need if we were going to start a garden from scratch?

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Hands-on Activity Instructions

Building the Raised Bed Garden Model (30 minutes):

Provide students with the necessary materials, including cardboard or plywood for the base, craft sticks or popsicle sticks for the walls, and construction paper for soil and plants.
Instruct students to follow their design sketches to construct their raised bed garden models.
Circulate the classroom to provide assistance and guidance as needed.

Enhancing the Model (10 minutes):

Encourage students to enhance their raised bed garden models with additional elements like pathways, garden tools, or small plastic toy figures.
Remind them to use their creativity and imagination while adding details to their models.

3.Writing Directions (20 minutes):

Explain to students that they will be writing step-by-step directions to guide others in building a raised bed garden model.
Provide a rubric for the directions, including sections for introduction, materials needed, and detailed instructions for each step.
Instruct students to use clear and concise language appropriate for their grade level.
Encourage them to include descriptive details and visuals if possible.

4.Presentation and Sharing (15 minutes):

Allocate time for each student to present their raised bed garden model and read their written directions aloud to the class.
Encourage classmates to ask questions and provide feedback on the designs and directions.

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Assessment

Reflection and Discussion (10 minutes):

Facilitate a class discussion on the process of designing, building, and writing directions for the raised bed garden models.
Ask students to reflect on their experience and share what they learned from the project.
Discuss any challenges they faced and how they overcame them.
Students vote on the best set of written instructions, and the best raised garden bed (best construction, prettiest, neatest etc.

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Differentiation

Have students look up a variety of different raised beds and make a list of various materials used for them such as bags, tables, wood etc. and see if there’s a difference in plant growth.
Work as a small group to complete the assignment, with a peer helper, or aide if available.
Plant a seed in a cup or other reusable items like egg cartons, milk containers from cafeteria etc., to grow a plant.

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

Students can research different plants suitable for raised bed gardening and create labels or informational cards to include with their models.
Design a miniature irrigation system using straws and water.
Encourage students to explore real-life raised bed gardens in their community or online and write a reflection or compare and contrast the models they built with the actual gardens.
Plant real seeds, water and grow until they need to be repotted into a larger container.

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