Links:
YOUR SECRET GARDEN…..& COMPOST TOO!
OBJECTIVE:
Create a garden and a way to fertilize the garden without chemicals.
(Garden can be their choice for decoration, vegetable, butterfly garden, etc…)
Students should include biotic and abiotic factors in their garden.
Create a compost program in school.
Use compost to fertilize garden.
Compare the benefits of compost as fertilizer versus commercial fertilizers.
Students will work within their class in groups of 3-5 to design their proposal.
PRIOR:
No prior learning is necessary.
MATERIALS:
Computer with internet access to support research
Budget money or fundraising efforts
Land area on or next to school grounds to create garden.
Basic gardening supplies & other materials determined by students
Compost bin or set up (to be determined by students)
WEBSITES/SUGGESTIONS:
http://vermontcompost.com
http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/rr/composting/index.html/
http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/reduce/wastenot.htm
The compost program may be best to start on a small scale. The teacher cafeteria may be more manageable to begin with. (*Teachers may be more likely to comply as well.)
Be sure spot to compost is approved by custodial and administrative staff.
Fundraising efforts that have been successful are town wide can drive (letters in mailbox and at end of driveway collection day) and candy sales.
ROLES IN LESSON:
STUDENT:
Visit garden center or garden center website to view and purchase tools
Coordinate with school personnel in determining an area for the garden and compost
Select plants that will support the type of garden chosen
Create information markers for plants and expected wildlife visitors
Decision on type and implementation of composting
TEACHER:
Check accuracy of information and review proposed plans
Confirm and sign off on school ground sites for garden and compost
If needed coordinate visit to garden center
WRAP UP:
Students submit final proposals
Classes vote on best garden design
Each class plants their chosen garden.
ASSESSMENT:
Your Secret Garden Rubric
NEW YORK STATE STANDARDS:
STANDARD 4
Students will understand and apply scientific concepts, principles, and theories pertaining to the physical setting and living environment and recognize the historical development of ideas in science.
Key Idea 7:
Human decisions and activities have had a profound impact on the physical and living environment.
7.1a The Earth has finite resources; increasing human consumption of resources places stress on the natural processes that renew some resources and deplete those resources that cannot be renewed.
7.1b Natural ecosystems provide an array of basic processes that affect humans. Those processes include but are not limited to: maintenance of the quality of the atmosphere, generation of soils, control of the water cycle, removal of wastes, energy flow, and recycling of nutrients. Humans are changing many of these basic processes and the changes may be detrimental.
PRENTICE HALL REVIEW BOOK TOPIC:
Topic 7- Human Impact on Ecosystems
EXTENSION/IDEAS:
Students can begin gardening and composting at home