Learning Math 
Through
Garden Design

by Jessica N. Rivera
 

Table of Contents:
Outline Standards     Lesson 1     Lesson 2  Lesson 3     Lesson 4   Lesson 5
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Outline

Target Students
This unit is designed for students that are in a grade level that requires them to learn about their local history, but it can be adapted to expand the geographical areas to state, country or world history.
The students that worked on this unit were third graders ranging from 8 years old to 10 years old. These students were from several different ethnic and economic backgrounds; such as Filipino, Mexican, American, low income families and working class families. GATE (gifted students) as well as resource students were involved in his project.

Major Goals
One goal of this unit is for the students to understand and use mathematical concepts in a fun way by designing a garden plot. Another goal of this unit is to give the students experience in using the Internet for clarification, practice and homework help in subject areas.

Timelines
Each of the five lessons takes approximately between 45 and 60 minutes. Extra time is needed for independent practice and work time. The unit can be done in no less than a month.

Types of Assessments
A cumulative point system is used to evaluate this unit. Final Evaluation.

Standards

Math
Geometry and Spatial Sense

Mathematics instructional programs should include
attention to attention to geometry and spatial
sense so that all students:

    analyze characteristics and properties of
    two- and three-dimensional geometric
    objects.

    select and use different representational
    systems, including coordinate geometry and
    graph theory.
 
 
 

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Lesson One - Introduction to Garden Design

Instructional Objectives
The students will:

• access the Internet to acquire information
• brainstorm ideas for plants and things in a school garden
• use books, magazines and catalogs as reference materials
• practice taking notes and writing down their researched facts

Advance Preparation
Gather gardening books, magazines and catalogs and have them available to the students.
Have the worksheet ( side one   side two ) ready and run off for the students.
Prepare a hotlist of website you want your students to go to.

Materials/Resources Needed

• Gardening books, magazines and catalogs.
• A Worksheet ( side one   side two ).
• Computers with Internet.
• List of web sites

Vocabulary
Design, bush, shrub, tree, plant, arbor, topiary, walkways, paths, stepping stones, pergola, gazebo, fencing, etc..

Procedures
Tell the students that they will be beginning a project that will consist of designing a garden, but first they need to do some background work.
If you have an actual garden plot take the students out to see it.
Talk about gardens they have seen or know about.
Ask them about specific plants they like.
Have the students list the plants they like on the worksheet.
Ask tthem about specific items they would like in a garden (birdbaths, benches, sundials, etc.).
Have the students list the items they would like in a garden on the worksheet.
Use the hotlist of websites to have the students gather information on gardens and get ideas.
Let the students browse through books, magazines, and catalogs.
Have the students add to their lists and draw and take notes on the backside of the worksheet.
Have the some of the students share their work.
Wrap up the session.

Activities

• List plants and items desired in a school garden
• Look through garden books, magazines and catalogs
• Sketch ideas and write notes
• Access the internet in search of sample gardens and garden items such as topiary

Extensions
Make items for the garden such as stepping stones, signs or murals.

Homework
Look at gardens at home or on your way home. Ask your parents the names of plants that you like and bring a list to school. Brainstorm with your parents more ideas for the garden.

Evaluation
Student Participation
Points assigned based on teacher's criteria.

Completed Worksheet	10 points
Participated in discussion	10 points

20 points = 100% = A

Illustrative Materials
Worksheet ( side one   side two )

Student Work Samples
     Lists          Sketches and notes 1          Sketches and notes 2

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Lesson Two - Perimeter and the Garden

Instructional Objectives
The students will:

• access the Internet to review mathematical concepts
• access the Internet to practice math concepts through games or quizes
• demonstrate the ability to use/apply to concepts to real problems by finding the perimeter of different areas and/or objects at school
• demonstrate the ability to use/apply to concepts to real problems by filling out a worksheet related to the school garden, and by drawing the perimeter of the garden plot

Advance Preparation
Students should have studied measurement and perimeter before this lesson.
Have the worksheet ( side one   side two ) ready and run off for the students.
Prepare a hotlist of website you want your students to go to.
Have a Garden Design Graph sheet ready for the students. That is 1/2 inch quad paper with enough squares to cover the garden plot area. Each square = one square foot. You might need to glue several sheets together to achieve this.

Materials/Resources Needed

• List of web sites
• Computers with Internet
• The worksheet ( side one ) you have prepared (one per student)
• The Garden Design Graph sheet that you have prepared (one per every two to four students)

Vocabulary
Measurement, inch, foot, yard, units, perimeter, convert, polygons, quadrilaterals, etc..

Procedures
Tell the students that they will be continuing on the garden design project, but they need to work out some math first.
Review linear measurement and conversions (3 feet = 1 yard, etc.).
Go to aaamath http://aaamath.com/mea.htmlto review measurement further, or have the students go on their own.
Have the students figure out the measurement problems on the worksheet.
Review perimeter with the students, then go to Math Goodies http://mathgoodies.com/lessons/vol1/perimeter.htmland/orPerimeter formula

Activities

• Review and practice math concepts of measurement and of perimeter.
• Play online math games that reinforce the skills.
• On a worksheet answer questions about measurement and perimeter related to our school garden.
• Draw the perimeter of the school garden on a Garden Design Graph sheet.

Extensions
Find the perimeter of the school grounds, sand box, etc.

Homework
If you have Internet at home search for sites that will help you learn about measurement and about perimeter. If you don't have Internet explain to an adult what you know about measuring things and about the perimeter of polygons.

Evaluation
Student Participation
Points assigned based on teacher's criteria.

Completed Worksheet	10 points
Drew Perimeter on quad paper	10 points

20 points = 100% = A

Illustrative Materials
Worksheet ( side one   side two )

Student Work Samples
Student Sample Worksheets

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Lesson Three - Area and the Garden

Instructional Objectives
The students will:

• access the Internet to review mathematical concepts
• access the Internet to practice math concepts through games or quizes
• demonstrate the ability to use/apply to concepts to real problems by finding the area of several regions (classroom, sandbox) and/or objects (book cover, etc.) at school
• demonstrate the ability to use/apply to concepts to real problems by filling out a worksheet related to the school garden, and by writing the area of the garden plot on a Garden Design Graph

Advance Preparation
Students should have studied measurement, perimeter, polygons and area before this lesson.
Have the worksheet ( side one   side two ) ready and run off for the students.
Prepare a hotlist of website you want your students to go to.
Have the Garden Design Graph sheet ready for the students.

Materials/Resources Needed

• Computers with Internet.
• List of web sites
• The worksheet ( side one ) ready and run off for the students.
• The Garden Design Graph sheet

Procedures
Tell the students that they will be working on the garden design project again.
Briefly review linear measurement and conversions (3 feet = 1 yard, etc.).
If necessary go to aaamath http://aaamath.com/mea.html to review measurement further.
Briefly review perimeter with the students, if necessary, then go to Math Goodies http://mathgoodies.com/lessons/vol1/perimeter.htmland/orPerimeter formula

Activities

• Review and practice math concepts of measurement and area.
• Play online math games that reinforce the skills.
• On a worksheet answer questions about area related to our school garden.
• Write the area of the school garden on a key for the Garden Design Graph sheet.

Extensions
Find the area of the school grounds, sand box, etc.

Homework
If you have Internet at home search for sites that will help you learn about finding the area of quadrilaterals. If you don't have Internet explain to an adult what you know about finding the area of a polygon.

Evaluation
Student Participation
Points assigned based on teacher's criteria.

Completed Worksheet	10 points
Participated in Internet activities	10 points

20 points = 100% = A

Illustrative Materials
Worksheet ( side one   side two )

Student Work Samples
Student Sample Worksheets

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Lesson Four - Coordinate Geometry and the Garden

Instructional Objectives
The students will:

• access the Internet to review mathematical concepts
• access the Internet to practice math concepts through games or quizes
• demonstrate the ability to use/apply to concepts to real problems by plotting on a worksheet the coordinates of existing trees, cement strip, etc. that are in our garden area
• demonstrate the ability to use/apply to concepts to real problems by drawing on a Garden Design Graph (quad paper) the existing trees, cement strip, etc. at their actual coordinates

Advance Preparation
Students should have been introduced to coordinate geometry and ordered pairs prior to this lesson.
Have the worksheet ( side one   side two ) ready and run off for the students.
Prepare a hotlist of website you want your students to go to.
Have the Garden Design Graph sheet ready for the students.

Materials/Resources Needed

• Computers with Internet.
• List of web sites
• The worksheet ( side two ) ready and run off for the students.
• The Garden Design Graph sheet

Vocabulary
Coordinates, ordered numbers, axis, ray, line segment, angle, vector.

Procedures
Tell the students that they will be working on the garden design project again, but this time they will need to go to the garden area to figure some things out.
Review coordinate geometry and ordered pairs (we do "Drops in the Bucket" and this program has a lot of practice on the subject).
Go to any or all of the following:

Math.com
http://math.com/school/subject3/lessons/S3U1L2GL.html

Math Cats
http://mathcats.com/crafts/grids.html

Downloadable PowerPoint http://ceres.k12.ca.us/iweb/lessons/Monica%27s%20Math/Coordinate%20Geometry.pp

or have the sudents do it on their own if you have the means.
Give the students the worksheet to review before going out to the garden area, and explain it.
Take the students out with yardsticks or measuring tapes, and have them figure out the coordinates of existing items in the garden (in our case two trees and a cement strip)in pairs, teams or as a large group.
Have the students plot the items on the chart and write the ordered pairs on the worksheet.
Have them in their teams of 2 - 4 draw in the items found in the garden area (trees, cement strip) on their Garden Design Graph.
Give the students time to explore the math web sites.
Wrap up the lesson.

Activities

• Review and practice math concepts of coordinate geometry.
• Play online math games that reinforce the skills.
• On a worksheet answer questions about coordinate geometry related to our school garden, plot the two existing trees, and draw in an existing cement strip.
• Draw the existing trees and cement strip on the Garden Design Graph sheet.

Homework
If you have Internet at home search for sites that will help you learn about coordinate geometry. If you don't have Internet explain to an adult what you know about coordinate geometry.

Evaluation
Student Participation
Points assigned based on teacher's criteria.

Completed Worksheet	10 points
Participated in discussion	10 points

20 points = 100% = A

Illustrative Materials
Worksheet ( side one   side two )

Student Work Samples
Student Samples

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Lesson Five - The Best Garden Design in the World

Instructional Objectives
The students will:

• access the Internet for information
• design a school garden on a Garden Design Graph with attention to location, size and scale

Advance Preparation
It helps if the students have studied map skills before this lesson.
Have the Garden Design Graph sheet ready for the students.
Prepare a hotlist of website you want your students to go to.

Materials/Resources Needed

• Computers with Internet.
• List of web sites
• The Garden Design Graph sheet

Procedures
Tell the students that today they will begin to draw the design for their garden with their team members.
Explain scale, models and aerial views.
Review maps skills and relate them to the garden design.
Go to the garden web sites or let the students do it on their own with the intention to get ideas for their design.
Let the students use the books, magazines and catalogs for ideas.
Have them begin drawing their plan paying special attention to scale, and reminding them what each square on the quad paper represents (in our case 1 square = 1 square foot).
Give the students time to work on this with the teacher monitoring.
Wrap up the session.

More time will be needed to continue working on the designs.

Activities

• Visit gardens on the Internet.
• Get ideas for the garden design from books and magazines.
• Begin designing "The Best Garden in The World".

Extensions
Talk about the scientific reasons for plant placement in a garden: shade vs. sun, sheltered vs. exposed, proximity to other plants, watering, etc..
Talk about natural pest control: gopher plant, garlic, homemade insecticides (peppers and garlic), chicken wire to keep gophers out, ladybug houses, etc..

Homework

Evaluation
Student Participation
Points assigned based on teacher's criteria for each item.

Points from Lesson One	20 points
Points from Lesson Two	20 points
Points from Lesson Three	20 points
Points from Lesson Four	20 points
Completed Garden Design	20 points

100 points = 100% = A
 

Illustrative Materials
Students at work designing gardens

Student Work Samples
Student Garden Designs

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