UCCE Master Gardener Youth and School Garden Project
School Garden Lessons Aligned with California State Science and CTE Standards

The University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Master Gardeners of Riverside County provide research-based information to promote environmentally responsible and sustainable horticultural practices. To this end, Master Gardeners offer educational resources that promote and support outdoor learning focused on horticulture and botany. This includes TK-12 digital lessons that are aligned to the California State Board of Education Standards including Career Technical Education Standards. These lessons can be used in conjunction with a school gardening program and/or as real-life examples and applications to content taught in the classroom. Consultation services are also available related to school gardens and providing relevant solutions to support successful horticulture projects. These educational resources and services are available at no cost. All resources can be accessed at: https://ucanr.edu/sites/RiversideMG/School_Childrens_Youth_Gardens/

Featured Lessons: Invertebrates- Superstars of the Animal Kingdom

In his 2005 BBC television series, Life in the Undergrowth, Naturalist Sir David Attenborough made a dramatic statement regarding the importance of invertebrates:  “If we and the rest of the back-boned animals were to disappear overnight, the rest of the world would get on pretty well. But if they (invertebrates) were to disappear, the land’s ecosystems would collapse. The soil would lose its fertility. Many of the plants would no longer be pollinated. Lots of animals, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals would have nothing to eat. And our fields and pastures would be covered with dung and carrion.”

Fall weather provides an ideal opportunity for students to explore the outdoors for evidence of these animal kingdom superstars! Master Gardeners have developed a series of lessons to provide students with contextual information on invertebrates to support outdoor learning. 

Grades TK-1: Friend or Foe? What is that creature in my garden?

Pre-School Life Science 1.1, 2.2; K-LS1.C; K-EES3.C; 1-LS1.A, 1-LS1.D

Grades 2-3: How Do Insects Grow? Observing insect life cycles in the garden.

2-LS4.D; 3-LS1B; 3-LS3.B

Grades 4-5: A Close-up View of Insects: Exploring their structure and function.

4-LS1.A, 4-LS1.D; 5-LS2.A

Grades 6-8: Invertebrate Classification: There’s a whole lot of phyla in the garden!

MS-LS2.C; MS-LS4.A

CTE AgriScience Pathway C12.1; C12.3; Ornamental Horticultural Pathway F4.1; F4.3

All lessons include:

• Anchor phenomena.
• Guidance for developing an initial and final model.
• Science vocabulary that is supported with display cards for TK-1 and 2-3 lessons and is hyperlinked within lessons at grades 4-5 and 6-8.
• Check for understanding questions.
• Additional video(s) to reinforce key concepts.
• Application activity exploring the phenomena outdoors.
• Extension activity providing further research opportunities.
• Option for teachers to provide lesson feedback to the Master Gardener Program.

An additional Pest or Beneficial? Identification PowerPoint is also featured that includes bingo game cards to actively engage students in learning to identify common invertebrates found in the garden. This is designed so that it can be adapted for use at all grade levels.

Featured Lessons: Water-The Driving Force of All Life

In her book, Last Oasis: Facing Water Scarcity, Conservationist Sandra Postel writes, “For many of us, water simply flows from a faucet, and we think little about it beyond this point of contact. We have lost a sense of respect for the wild river, for the complex workings of a wetland, for the intricate web of life that water supports.”

Master Gardeners’ featured lessons for the warmer growing months focus on increasing student awareness of the scientific phenomena of water.

Students are presented with anchor phenomena and guidance for developing an initial model reflecting what they know about water. Grades TK-1 provides a storyline on why plants need water. Grades 2-3 builds on this theme by addressing how plants adapt to meet their water needs in various habitats. A two-lesson storyline for Grades 4-5 explores freshwater as a natural resource and how gardeners can conserve this resource. Grades 6-8 provides an extended three-lesson storyline on the hydrosphere. All grade levels feature a hands-on application activity exploring the phenomena of water outdoors, and an extension activity providing further research opportunities on the phenomena of water. All grade levels receive guidance for revising their water models at the conclusion of the lessons.

Lesson Grades TK-1: Why Do Plants Need Water?

Pre-School Life Science 2.2; KEES3.A; 1LS1.A

Lesson Grades 2-3: Water’s Role in Plant Adaptations

 2-LS2.A; 2-LS4.D; 3LS2.C; 3-LS3B; 3-LS4.C

Lessons Grade 4-5: Water Resources and Plant Survival

Freshwater is a Valuable Natural Resource:  4-ESS3.A; 5-ESS2.C

Watering Tips to Conserve This Natural Resource:  5-ESS3.C

Lessons Grades 6-8: Water-The Hydrosphere

What is the Hydrologic Cycle?  MS-ESS2.C

A Closer Look at the Role of Plant’s in the Hydrologic Cycle:  MS-LS1.A; MS-LS1.C

Weather and Water in the Garden:  MS-LS1.B