The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project
Area of a Garden Bed: Sunflowers
Area of Garden Bed
A 6th - 8th Grade STEM Lesson
Michael Amato
Sarah Genise
March 2023
Notes for Teachers
All of these items have been pre- purchased at Home Depot or collected through donations.
If your measurements are different or the seed packets contain different flowers, please modify the lesson to fit your personal needs and class learning style.
List of Materials
(At least 15 seeds per packet)
AZ Standards
Life Science:
MS-LS1-5: Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how environmental and genetic factors influence the growth of organisms.
MS-LS2-1: Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence for the effects of resource availability on organisms and populations of organisms in an ecosystem.
MS-ESS3-4: Construct an argument supported by evidence for how increases in human population and per-capita consumption of natural resources impact Earth's systems.
Math:
6.EE.A.2: Write, read, and evaluate expressions in which letters stand for numbers.
6.EE.B.6: Use variables to represent numbers and write expressions when solving a real-world or mathematical problem.
Objective(s):
Students will be able to calculate the number of sunflower seeds required to fill a given garden bed based on the spacing requirements.
Students will be able to explain the importance of proper plant spacing for healthy plant growth.
Students will understand the basic principles of gardening and be able to apply them to their own garden.
Students will be able to understand the importance of pollinators on the environment.
Agenda (50-100 minutes)
This lesson is designed for a 50-minute class period.
It is possible that this lesson needs to be broken into two sections.
Prep time (10-15 minutes)
Introduction (5 minutes)
Activity (35 minutes)
Conclusion (10 minutes)
Intro
Begin by asking students if they have ever planted a garden before. If so, what did they grow? If not, have they ever thought about starting a garden? Why might someone want to start a garden?
Explain that today's lesson will be about gardening, specifically how to plant sunflowers in a garden bed.
Introduce the sunflower seed packets and the garden bin, and explain that students will be calculating how many seeds are needed to fill the garden bed.
Hands-on Activity Instructions
Suggested Grouping:
2-3 students per garden bin (dependent upon how many garden beds and seed packets).
Hands-on Activity (35 minutes)
Distribute the sunflower seed packets and garden bin to each student or group.
Using a ruler or measuring tape, have students measure the length and width of the garden bin and record the measurements on their paper.
Discuss the spacing requirements for the sunflower seeds (3 seeds every 18"-24") and ask students why this is important for healthy plant growth.
Have students calculate the spacing between each seed based on the given requirements (6"-8").
Hands-on Activity Instructions
Using the measurements of the garden bin and the spacing requirements, have students calculate how many rows of seeds can be planted in the garden bed and how many seeds will be needed for each row.
Have students write an expression to represent the total number of seeds needed to fill the garden bed, using variables to represent the measurements and number of seeds.
As a class, check calculations and discuss any discrepancies or misunderstandings.
Allow students time to plant their sunflower seeds in the garden bin, following the spacing requirements and using the calculated number of seeds.
Use skewers to mark the spacing length! We use these to measure spacing in between plants and depth in the soil.
Hands-on Activity Instructions
Conclusion: �
Ask students to reflect on what they learned during the lesson, and discuss any challenges or successes they experienced while planting their seeds.�
Have students predict what might happen if they did not follow the spacing requirements for the sunflower seeds, and why this might impact plant growth.
Assessment
Observations during class discussion and planting activity (checklist).
Completed calculations and expressions on student papers. Can be completed as class or turned in for a grade at end of class.
Exit ticket asking students to explain the importance of proper plant spacing for healthy plant growth.
Differentiation
Remediation
Extension/Enrichment
Have students research different varieties of sunflowers and their growing requirements.
Have students create a diagram or model of their garden bed, showing the location of each row of sunflowers and any companion plants.
Have students track the growth and development of their sunflowers over time, recording any observations or changes.
Have students present their findings and experiences to the class, sharing what they learned and any challenges or successes they experienced.