Dee Morales

An 8-week outdoor gardening curriculum for K–5 children at a community center garden. Split into K–2 and 3–5 tracks, teaching basic gardening skills, plant science, stewardship, and healthy eating. Sessions: once weekly, 60 minutes each.

In this 3-session art series, K-5 students will explore garden-inspired art using paint and chalk. Through observation, sketching, color mixing, and texture techniques, they’ll bring the beauty of flowers, leaves, and insects to life—building creativity, fine motor skills, and confidence in a supportive small-group setting.

In this 45-minute session for Grades K-2, students rotate through three engaging stations—yoga, breathing exercises, and mindful walking—to build self-awareness and emotional regulation skills through movement. This lesson is important because it introduces young learners to foundational mindfulness practices that support focus, calm, and a positive classroom environment.

In this lesson, students will learn the proper techniques for weeding garden beds through a hands-on activity and a reinforcing worksheet. This lesson is important as it teaches students about plant care and maintenance, which are essential skills for gardening and understanding plant biology. By engaging in active learning, students will develop a sense of responsibility and teamwork while enhancing their understanding of the natural environment.

In this lesson, students will explore the basics of container gardening by engaging in a hands-on activity where they will plant seeds in containers. This lesson is important as it introduces students to sustainable gardening practices and the concept of growing their own food, fostering a connection with nature and promoting environmental awareness.

In this lesson, students will explore the basics of container gardening by engaging in a hands-on activity where they plant seeds in small containers. This lesson is important as it introduces young learners to the concept of gardening, nurturing plants, and understanding the growth process, fostering a connection with nature and responsibility.

This lesson engages 3rd to 5th graders in a collaborative and game-based learning activity to enhance their understanding of gardening vocabulary, focusing on tools and planting terms. Through a fun and interactive game, students will work together to solve gardening-related scenarios, fostering teamwork and critical thinking. This approach not only makes learning enjoyable but also helps students develop essential social and cognitive skills related to gardening.

In this lesson, students will engage in a hands-on project to create personalized garden stepping stones. This activity encourages creativity, teamwork, and practical skills as students work together to design and craft their own stepping stones. The lesson is important as it fosters a sense of accomplishment and allows students to express themselves artistically while learning about the importance of gardens and outdoor spaces.

Join us on a journey as seeds become thriving plants! In this 15-minute, game-based adventure, PreK-2 students will explore and sequence the four stages of the plant life cycle, fostering collaboration, scientific thinking, and a love of nature.

This lesson is a quick and engaging gardening knowledge check for 1st and 2nd graders. Through a fun quiz, students will demonstrate their understanding of basic gardening concepts. This lesson is important as it reinforces learning and helps identify areas where students may need further instruction.

In this lesson, students will embark on a mindful walk around the school campus to observe the changes in nature during autumn. They will practice being present and discuss how different sights, sounds, and smells make them feel. This lesson is important as it helps young students develop mindfulness and emotional regulation skills, which are crucial for their overall well-being and ability to focus.

In this lesson, kindergarten students will have the opportunity to introduce themselves and share what they hope to learn from the garden club. This activity is important as it helps build a sense of community and allows students to express their interests, fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment.

In this lesson, students will create paper pumpkins, each representing a different emotion, and discuss when they might feel those emotions. This activity combines creativity with emotional literacy, helping young students articulate feelings in a festive way. By engaging in this activity, students will enhance their ability to recognize and express emotions, which is crucial for their social and emotional development.

This lesson is designed to quickly assess students' existing knowledge about gardening through a fun and engaging quiz. Understanding what students already know about gardening will help tailor future lessons to better meet their needs and fill any knowledge gaps. This approach ensures that teaching is both effective and efficient, focusing on areas that require more attention.

In this lesson, students will explore various plant adaptations and how they help plants survive in different environments. This lesson is important as it helps students understand the concept of adaptation and the diversity of plant life. By recognizing these adaptations, students will appreciate the complexity of ecosystems and the importance of biodiversity.

In this lesson, students will explore basic gardening concepts by engaging in a hands-on planting activity. They will learn about the needs of plants and the process of growth by planting seeds and observing their development over time. This lesson is important as it fosters an appreciation for nature, encourages responsibility, and introduces scientific observation skills.

In this lesson, students will engage in a creative art session focused on mindfulness. By concentrating on the process of drawing or coloring, rather than the final product, students will learn to relax and manage stress. This activity encourages self-expression and helps students develop mindfulness skills, which are essential for emotional well-being and stress management.

In this lesson, students will engage in a guided exercise to practice active listening skills. They will work in pairs to discuss personal topics and focus on responding empathetically, which will help improve their communication and connection abilities. This lesson is important as it fosters empathy, enhances communication skills, and strengthens interpersonal relationships among students.