In this lesson students will search for evidence of seed production in the garden. They will talk about the life cycle of the plant, then use seed specimens they collect to practice mathematical concepts of sorting. Make sure pockets of the garden are in a solid stage...
Garden Shapes Scavenger Hunt
Published February 15, 2012
Subject: Math
Season: Fall
Place of Learning: Garden Classroom
Resource Type: Lessons
Grade Level: Kindergarten, Grade 1
Uploaded by:
Johnna Hampton-Walker Program Affiliations:
In this activity students are introduced to the garden space as a learning environment in which to discover geometric shapes found within and among plants and structures in the garden area.
Objectives
Students will be able to:
• Engage in garden discovery.
• Learn and/or review geometric shapes using the real world setting of the garden.
Assessments
Students will be able to:
• Participate in a guided exploration of the garden space.
• Practive observation skills in the garden environment.
• Correctly identify a variety of different geometric shapes.
Materials
Shape Flags
• Large index cards, each with a different geometric shape drawn on it
• Wooden dowels, approximately 24 inches long, for each card
• Tape
Preparation
• Determine the path you wish to lead the children through the garden as well as the shapes you want them to identify. For example, stepping stones may be in the shape of circles, a tipi trellis, in the shape of a triangle, a flower in the shape of a star, a garden bed frame in the shape of a rectangle, etc.
• Draw and label each shape onto a separate index card.
• Prepare geomatric shape flags by taping each index card to one end of each dowel. Since the children are likely to find additional shapes you may want to prepare a few extras.
• Place dowels in a bucket or stick them individually in the ground in a central location. If possible, have enough flags for each student or pair of students in the group.
Procedures
At the Opening Circle
• Explain to students that you will lead them on a Garden Shapes Scavenger hunt. Emphasize that they must use their powers of observation and concentration because they must find these shapes within the plants, structures or other forms in the garden rather than their being found already drawn on a piece of paper that ihas been placed/hidden in the garden.
• Show the dowels that will be used as flags to mark the different shapes as they are found.
In the Field
• Guide students through the garden along the route you have previuosly determined. Keep them together in a group and direct group attention to each area where you want them to identify a particular shape.
• As each shape is found and identified, direct a student or student pair to retrieve the correct shape flag and then mark the location by sticking the dowel into the ground or area near the shape.
• After all the shapes are found and identified take a photo of the children standing in the garden by their flags. Photos may then be used as a writing prompt in the classroom or they may simply be displayed in a special area of the classroom as a reminder of the Garden Shapes Scavenger Hunt.
In this lesson students put their garden learning to music as they explore the concept of habitat in the garden setting.
Area: Garden Classroom
Type: Lessons
Rating:
Comments
I've done a similar activity with colors in the garden, but this is a great way to bring in shapes and observe in a different way.
Great Lesson. This one could be easily adapted to older students by having them find perimeters and areas of these shapes.
I love bringing geometry into the garden! Many folks look at geometry as something that can only be done inside with paper and pencil, but this not only makes it more fun, it also requires that students look more closely and think more deeply about what shapes they see.