Garden State: Gardening & Landscape Design Resources

Last June, during the final weeks of school, some local classrooms made field trips to a nearby zoo and horticultural center to see a particular flower. The students were puzzled: Why take a field trip to see a single flower? Needless to say, the kids were not chuffed. The teachers explained that they were to witness a rare event: the flowering of Amorphophallus titanium, which occurs once every 15 years, and lasts for only two days. The bloom stands about five feet tall, and is more commonly known as the “corpse flower.” Beyond that information, the teachers wouldn't say anything more.

The kicker, of course, is that the flower literally stinks – the odor is most commonly compared to rotting flesh – and hence the name “corpse flower.” The students were asked to record their observations, and whether they would include this plant in a garden of their creation. To no one’s surprise, the overwhelming majority of students declined.

The topic of gardens and gardening has made a strong resurgence in recent years, as an especially good way to illustrate concepts in biology, botany, genetics, agricultural practices, geometry, design, and civics. Many schools have created flower and vegetable gardens as service-learning projects, and some school cafeterias serve homegrown produce as part of the recent “Healthy Plate” initiative. Aside from food production, students can also learn the value and beauty of gardens through different types of landscape design, and the role that composting plays in recycling and reusing materials. One of my selections for this week, “Looking Upwards: Greenroofing and Rooftop Gardening” addresses gardens in unlikely places, such as atop skyscrapers and other city buildings. Interested in starting a garden with your class, but no space? Try container gardening, which is an inexpensive and practical way for classrooms to grow a variety of plants in a small space.

This week I’ve highlighted three resources on gardens and gardening for all ages from the Gateway’s collection. I’ll also be featuring many more lessons, resources, and activities throughout the week on our Twitter and Facebook pages. Please read my colleague Peggy’s companion column (linked below) for additional resources and teaching ideas.

How Does My Garden Grow?
Subjects: Language Arts, Science
Grade: K-2
This lesson plan invites students to observe and explore their environment through observation and field journals, much as Lewis and Clark did on their famous expedition. After being introduced to both gardens and field journals by reading picture books, students work together to plant a garden and study its growth using the inquiry process of questioning and exploring. As they research and study, students record their observations in a field journal, to be shared with others—just like Lewis and Clark! I like how this lesson re-creates the spirit and methodology of an historical event, and that students hone their writing, critical thinking, and observation skills to boot. This lesson was produced by ReadWriteThink, which presents peer-reviewed resources in reading and language arts instruction.

Looking Upwards: Greenroofing & Rooftop Gardening
Subjects: Architecture, Social Studies, Environment
Grade: 4-8
This activity explores the role of green roofing and rooftop gardening in contemporary architectural design. Students conduct collaborative research to learn about the history, process, science, and environmental impact of green roofing. I love how this lesson explores the concepts of science, landscape design, and ecology in regard to urban spaces. This lesson was produced by Design Exchange, an educational resource sharing site offered by Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum.

Launching Laudable Landscapes
Subjects: Geometry, Measurement, Language Arts
Grade: 9-11
Students must find a solution to a real world problem: Design a garden environment to suit the definition of “formal garden” using geometric shapes. They must design their gardens to scale, and create a presentation to “sell” their idea to school administrators and/or volunteers. Finally, students pursue the potential of actually implementing the garden design in their school or community. This is a creative unit that spans several subject areas, and perfect for a teach-teaching approach. This unit is offered by Louisiana Public Broadcasting.