Conversation-starters: Opportunities for Critical Thinking
Planting: Students can consider the importance of healthy soil for healthy plants.
Growing: Ongoing watering and monitoring of the garden.
Monitoring: Students are encouraged to design their own grade-appropriate monitoring system to record observations from the garden.
Grade 3 Science: Soils in the Environment
· Describe the content of the soil in its current state, and design a way to compare to the same area in 2 months.
· How can a student improve soil for the needs of plants?
· How will you know that the soil has improved?
· How can we improve the soil, without adding chemicals?
· A sheet mulching process will keep weeds from growing, in what way can that beneficial when trying to grow food?
Grade 3 Science: Growth and Changes in Plants
· After seeds have been planted, what are the identifying characteristics to determine which vegetable is which?
· Design and use a monitoring plan to record changes in the environment and changes in plant growth.
· Justify why all students should be allowed to eat food grown in a school garden, taking into consideration concerns that may be brought forward.