The Teacher Tool Box is a place where teachers can find new ideas for lessons they can use in their gardens.
Lessons are arranged by subject: math, social studies, science, language arts, and health.
The category called Basic Gardening Lessons includes lessons in a variety of subjects that teach the basics of gardening and plants.
Click on the pictures below to view the lessons.
Lessons are arranged by subject: math, social studies, science, language arts, and health.
The category called Basic Gardening Lessons includes lessons in a variety of subjects that teach the basics of gardening and plants.
Click on the pictures below to view the lessons.
Basic Gardening Lessons
Social Studies
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Math
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Science
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Video of
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Food Doesn't Grow
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Featured lesson for January
From Wheat to Bread
How many of your students really understand that all of the things that they eat made from flour – bread, pizza dough, cake, cookies, crackers, rolls – actually come from a plant? Plant some wheat seeds in the classroom so that your students can see where their bread comes from.
We offer two lessons: one for grades PreK-2 and one for grades 3-5.
We offer two lessons: one for grades PreK-2 and one for grades 3-5.
From Wheat to Bread
Grades: PreK-3
Objectives: The student will be able to:
wheat seeds potting soil containers for planting seeds Bread Comes to Life, A Garden of Wheat and a Loaf to Eat by George Levenson OR The Little Red Hen by Jerry Pinkney or Paul Galdone OR The Little Red Hen (Makes a Pizza) by Philomen Sturges Pancakes, Pancakes by Eric Carle Everybody Bakes Bread, by Norah Dooley Introduction: Ask your students to brainstorm a list of food they eat that is made from flour. Ask students if they know where this flour comes from. Read one of the books listed in the Materials section on the growing and harvesting of wheat and processing it into flour. Show students the wheat seeds and tell them that this is what much of the flour – and flour products they eat – is made of. Procedures: Depending on how many wheat seeds you have, demonstrate the seed planting to the whole class or place students in small groups. Fill any container – milk or yogurt carton, berry container, plant pot, etc. – with potting soil. Make sure the container has drainage holes in the bottom. Sprinkle wheat seeds liberally on top of soil. Cover seeds lightly with soil. Moisten the soil – a spray bottle is easy to use. Place the container in a sunny area, and check the moisture level of the soil frequently so the seeds don't dry out. Water lightly when needed. The seeds should germinate in two to three days, and sprouts should be visible within a week. Allow your students to observe the growth of the wheat seeds for at least a month. They can record their observations in science journals. Evaluation: The student can answer the question, “Where does your bread come from?” and describe the process of growing, harvesting, threshing, and grinding wheat to turn it into flour. Extensions: Although many of the bread products we eat are made from flour, there are many other types of flour. Ask students to brainstorm what other types of flour might be made from: oats, corn, rice, potatoes, etc. Arrange a taste test for students to compare wheat flour to other types of flour. Make Bread in a Bag. Use the wheatgrass sprouts to make smoothies. Wheatgrass can be bitter, however, so if you want your students to try it, be sure to combine it with something sweet. See the sample recipe below. Download the entire lesson and the Bread in a Bag recipe here. 
Recipe for Wheatgrass Smoothies
2 cups of wheatgrass. Plain wheatgrass chops up pretty well in a blender.
1 cup of your favorite fruit; frozen, or if raw fruit is used - include 1 cup of ice 1 carrot 1 Tbs. lemon juice 1 Tbs. agave or other sweetener Add up to 1/2 cup cold water to adjust consistency. Notes: Apple and carrot go great with wheatgrass! If using raw apples, use 2 cups raw apples plus one cup apple or other fruit juice. |
From Wheat to Bread
Grades: 3-5 Objectives: The student will be able to:
Materials: wheat seeds potting soil container for planting seeds Anatomy of a Wheat Plant sheet, one per student Parts of a Wheat Seed sheet, one per student Wheat: From Field to Mill to Table sheet, one per student White Bread Versus Whole Grain video Introduction: Ask your students to brainstorm a list of food they eat that is made from flour. Ask students if they know where this flour comes from. Explain that today they will plant some wheat seeds to see how wheat grows, and learn the difference between white and whole wheat bread. Procedures: Depending on how many wheat seeds you have, demonstrate the seed planting to the whole class or place students in small groups. Fill any container – milk or yogurt carton, berry container, plant pot, etc. – with potting soil. Make sure the container has drainage holes in the bottom. Sprinkle wheat seeds liberally on top of soil. Cover seeds lightly with soil, about ¼-inch deep. Moisten the soil – a spray bottle is easy to use. Place the container in a sunny area, and check the moisture level of the soil frequently so the seeds don't dry out. Water lightly when needed. The seeds should germinate in two to three days, and sprouts should be visible within a week. Allow your students to observe the growth of the wheat seeds for at least a month. They can record their observations in science journals. Distribute the "Wheat: From Field to Mill to Table" sheet. Ask students in small groups to read and discuss this information about wheat. Ask them to list facts that were new to them or that they found particularly interesting. Ask the groups to report their thoughts to the whole class. Distribute the "Anatomy of a Wheat Plant" sheet. Ask students to discuss in small groups how the parts of a wheat plant are the same or different from the parts of other edible plants with which they are familiar. Tell students that it is the seeds of the wheat plant that we eat. The seed is ground into flour. Distribute and discuss the "Parts of a Wheat Seed" sheet. Ask students if they are familiar with the term “whole grain.” Ask them if they know what this means. Ask if whole grain bread is different from white bread. Show the YouTube video “White Bread Versus Whole Grain: What’s Healthier? What’s the Difference?” that can be found at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=418KSrmpMwc After watching the video discuss with students what they have learned about white and whole grain bread. Evaluation: The student can answer the question, “Where does your bread come from?” and describe the parts of a wheat plant and wheat seed. The student can explain the difference between white bread and whole wheat bread. Extensions: Ask students to research and show on a map which states are the biggest wheat producers. Ask students to research and show on a map which countries are the biggest wheat producers. Ask students to research the history of wheat farming and flour milling. Although many of the bread products we eat are made from flour, there are many other types of flour. Ask students to brainstorm what other types of flour might be made from: oats, corn, rice, potatoes, etc. Arrange a taste test for students to compare wheat flour to other types of flour. Make Bread in a Bag. Make wheatgrass smoothies. The young wheatgrass sprouts can be used to make smoothies. Wheatgrass can be bitter, however, so if you want your students to try it, be sure to combine it with something sweet. See the sample recipe in the left column. Download the complete lesson, worksheets, and Bread in a Bag recipe here. |
