Purpose:
Students will determine what plants need to grow and apply these ideas in finding a space for the garden.
Duration:
Three 20 minute walks in August or September when students come back to school for a morning, mid day and afternoon walk around the schoolyard. Also, one hour in classroom talking about daylength and sun, one of the things that plants need to grow.
North Carolina Science Competencies:
Coming soon
Materials:
Notebooks, watch or clock. Three maps of schoolyard, one for the morning walk, one for the mid day walk and one for the late afternoon walk.
Focus Questions:
What do plants need to grow?
How can we find the best site for strawberries to grow?
Digging In:
Ask the students what plants need in order to grow. They should respond, water, sun, space, air (carbon dioxide and oxygen) and nutrients. Tell the students strawberries need a space that is sunny the entire day, at least 6-8 hours. Have them consider their schoolyard and think of possible spaces they could place the strawberry garden.
Have the students walk around the schoolyard and record the conditions in 2-3 locations. Have the students evaluate the site for its suitability for growing strawberries. Is there enough sun? A source for potable water? Does a tree shade a spot in the afternoon? Will the soil be suitable? Have the students compare the locations at different times of day and determine which space will work to build the strawberry garden. If a site is limiting, ask them what they can do to make it appropriate for strawberries. Can they build a raised bed or grow them in containers? Can they install a rain barrel to provide water. Have the students determine an appropriate site and ask school administrators for approval. Install the strawberry bed!
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