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If you’re looking for some hands-on activities to study earth and life science, head out to a garden. It’s a living lab that affords all kinds of opportunities to observe science concepts in the natural world, such as:
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interdependence in an environment
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life cycles and changes
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adaptations and biodiversity
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human impact on the environment.
While in the field, kids get a chance to be the scientists by asking questions, making observations, and coming up with explanations for what they see based on evidence. They can define problems they may encounter in a garden (eg. a plant-damaging pest), and gather additional information to brainstorm solutions.
For an idea of the kinds of investigations that can be done in a garden, visit Nature Works Everywhere, which provides a variety of video lessons and activity guides for topics such as:
The site also has several How-To Garden Videos.
Here are some free garden exploration units for grades 1 - 4. Each unit - Pondering Plants, Soil Stories, Garden Pollinators, and Garden Habitats - includes six lessons.
Additional free resources:
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