Unit 9 Summary

Objective:  Children will understand that gardening is a fun way to be physically active.

Materials Needed

• “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” song lyrics

• Session 9 discussion card

• “The Little Gardener” book

• “Exercise When We Rhyme” game instructions

• Tummy Mindfulness and Experiential Eating protocol

• Fruit, vegetables, and napkins for tasting

• Tummy dolls

• Watering cans

• “Seedling Song” lyrics

• Measuring tape

• “Plant Splash Relay” game instructions

• 2 Baskets

• Small blue balls for each child

 Review [5 minutes—song]

• Song:  “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes”

Classroom Activity [20 minutes—discussion, game]

• Discussion 9a:  Read the “The Little Gardener” to teach what is needed to care for a garden

  • • • Have the children stand and act out each page of the book

      • Review the importance of physical activity and remind the children how gardening is a great way to be active

• Game: “Exercise When We Rhyme”

Mindful Eating [15 minutes—tummy mindfulness, experiential eating]

• Tummy Mindfulness and Experiential Eating Protocol

Garden Activity [20 minutes—garden maintenance, song, garden exploration, game]

• Garden Maintenance and Song 

  • • • Have the children water the garden

      • Sing lyrics to the “Seedling Song” while watering

• Garden Exploration

  • • • Point out the plants growing

      • Have the children identify characteristics of fruits and/or vegetables (color, shape, texture, if ready for harvesting)

      • Measure the lima bean

        • • Ask questions about if the lima bean is getting the nutrients it needs

          • Have the children look for (and remove) any weeds that may be taking nutrients away from the lima bean

• Game: “Plant Splash Relay”

Wrap Up/Review [10 minutes—discussion and song]

• Mindfulness Activity: There are three (3) Mindfulness activities available as Bonus Materials; (1) Art Activity, (2) Guided Meditation, and (3) Yoga Activity. You have the option of selecting one of these mindfulness activities to perform along with the Wrap-up and Review of each unit. 

* (See Mindfulness Activities for Objectives, Key Learning Concepts, Materials, and Instructions)  

• Discussion 9b: The teacher reviews the concepts of the unit, prompting children when necessary. The teacher asks the children questions, such as:

  • • “What are some physical activities you can do in the garden?”

    • “What do the plants in our garden need to grow?”

    • “What do you need to grow?”

    • Ask the children questions about the plants growing in the garden (e.g., how they look, are they getting enough nutrients)

• Song: The teacher leads the class in the “Seedling Song.”