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• K-2 Garden-based curriculum
• Aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards
• 6 lessons based on the parts of the plant we eat

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Veggie Voyagers Lessons

• Explore the 6 parts of the plant we eat in this 6 lesson curriculum
• Underground Wonders:  A Journey into Root Vegetables
• Growing Strong:  Uncovering the Mystery of Stems
• Leafy Delights:  Exploring Edible Leaves
• Blooming Plates:  Discovering Flowers that We Eat
• Fruit Safari:  A Deeper Look at Fruit
• Seed Surprises:  Nature’s Hidden Delights

Inquiry-Based Learning

• Lessons are formatted using the 5 E’s of Inquiry-Based Learning
• Students are led through the following 5 phases of learning in each lesson:
• Engage, Explore, Explain, Extend, Evaluate
• Students are engaged in the inquiry process, which helps them formulate questions, conduct investigations and experiments, and apply the information in real-life
• Each lesson is formatted the same to make learning easy and helps students get into a routine

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Alignment to NGSS

• The curriculum is aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards for grades K-2
• 5 E’s format is often used with science ed
• This table is aligned to NGSS by each phase

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Introduction

• Introductory letter
• Instructor’s Guide
• NGSS alignment chart
• Acknowledgements
• Table of Contents
• Parts of the Plant Photo Cards
• Lesson Visuals
• Parts of the Plant
• MyPlate
• Tasting Rules

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Gardening

• There is a simple planting activity in each lesson to help students learn about each part of the plant
• Indoor and/or outdoor gardens complement learning
• Aerogardens (hydroponics) for indoor growing
• Starting seeds indoors
• Grow bags, container gardens
• Raised beds
• Students are more likely to try new foods that they have a hand in growing

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Tasting in the Classroom

• There is a simple tasting in each lesson
• Single items or simple recipes
• It is important to have students wash their hands and any surfaces where food will be prepared and served
• Review Tasting Rules before each tasting and have the class taste together
• Students can use a show of thumbs to share how they feel about the tasting

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Lesson Layout

• Lesson Summary
• Objectives
• Lesson Phases
• Engage
• Explore
• Explain
• Extend
• Evaluate
• Materials Needed
• Images of visuals and worksheets
• Bonus Activity

There is flexibility to drop/add optional components as needed for time!

Engage Phase

• Students are asked to share what they know about the part of the plant
• Students are asked to identify that part of the plant using a visual of the Parts of the Plant We Eat
• Educator discusses how the part of the plant supports the growth and health of the whole plant
• Educator discusses how the part of the plant is healthful to eat
• Students are asked to identify the MyPlate food groups in which the part of the plant could be found

Explore Phase

• Students are engaged in hands-on activities to examine whole fruits and vegetables
• Students conduct experiments to learn more about how each part of the plant functions
• Students participate in planting activities that teach how plants grow and new ways to grow food

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Explain Phase

• Students are given a worksheet to gauge what they have learned
• For younger students, teachers can review the worksheet with the class and ask for volunteers to find foods that are the part of the plant they are learning about
• They may also identify the food groups from MyPlate in which they could find these foods
• There is a little joke on every worksheet!

Extend Phase

• (Optional) physical activity
• Stretches and movements to mimic how different plant parts grow, the shapes of fruits/veggies, and games to demonstrate how bees pollinate plants
• Tasting activities
• Simple tastings with 3 or fewer ingredients
• Some are modified from the recipes that are sent home
• Single-item tastings can be used in place of full tastings, as needed

Evaluate Phase

• Teacher will review a recipe with the class and call out the ingredients that are the part of the plant they are learning about
• The recipe is sent home (print or electronically)
• Students are encouraged to look for the different parts of the plant when they eat or shop for food

Connecting with Parents

• Parent Connections
• Each lesson has a recipe that is sent home
• Recipes are translated into Spanish
• There is an opportunity for the teacher to review the recipe in the class and point out the featured part of the plant in the recipe
• Recipes can be printed or sent home electronically
• There are some worksheets that are sent home for students and parents to complete

Teaching Veggie Voyagers

• Lessons can be taught by trained trainers or SNAP-Ed
• Each lesson can be taught in one session or broken into shorter sessions to accommodate younger learners
• SNAP-Ed will provide materials for tastings and gardening activities

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Underground Wonders:�A Journey into Root Vegetables

• Engagement
• Explore different root vegetables
• Plant a see-thru root garden in clear plastic containers
• Simple tasting of shredded carrots and lettuce leaves or you can do a single-item tasting, if needed
• Send home Carrot Taco recipe for families to try together

Growing Strong:�Uncovering the Mystery of Stems

• Engage
• Explore stems we eat
• Celery experiment with colored water
• Regrow celery from scraps
• Celery Bugs Recipe

Leafy Delights: Exploring Edible Leaves

• Engage
• Compare different leaves
• Leaf rubbing with spinach to learn about chlorophyll
• Plant microgreens in an aluminum baking pan
• Taste a variety of leaves (basil, spinach, lettuce, kale, etc.
• Citrus Collard Greens recipe sent home

Blooming Plates: Discovering Flowers That We Eat

• Engage
• Explore cauliflower and broccoli plants
• Regrow broccoli from a stem
• Taste cauliflower and broccoli
• Send Roasted Cauliflower recipe home

Fruit Safari: A Deeper Look at Fruit

• Engage
• Explore different fruits to find seeds
• Plant seeds from the fruit
• Taste melon and cherry tomatoes
• Send home Watermelon and Tomato Salad recipe

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Seed Surprises: Nature’s Hidden Delights

• Engage
• Examine different seeds and compare
• Seed Dissection
• Seed germination experiment
• Taste rice crackers with nut butter and sprinkle with different seeds
• Send Bean Tacos recipe home

Evaluation

• Teachers are asked to complete the Healthy Youth Environment Survey to
• We want to hear from you!
• Success stories
• Comments from students
• Comments from parents

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What are your questions?