Day 1

Objective:
Introduce students to the garden space and begin building awareness of how the environment affects plant growth.

Lesson:
Students learn how to look at the garden like a scientist — noticing sunlight, shade, dry spots, and damp spots. They also practice basic safety: where to walk, how to respect garden beds, and what to watch out for (thorns, ants, bees).

Project:
Take the class outside with clipboards or notebooks. Have them:

  • Find north, south, east, and west in the garden.
  • Identify sunny and shady areas.
  • Note wet or dry spots after watering or rain.
  • Sketch a simple map of the garden space.

Outcome:
Students begin to see the garden as more than dirt and plants — it’s a living system. Teachers walk away with a starting garden map and a class that knows how to explore safely and respectfully.