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How Does Your Garden Grow?

School: East End Community School

City/State: Portland, ME

Grade(s): K

Format(s): Report: Science

Subject(s): English Language Arts, Science and Technology, Visual Arts

Project Overview

This book was created by kindergarten students from the East End Community Charter School in Portland, Maine as part of an eight-week learning expedition on local food and gardens called, “How Does Your Garden Grow?”

These young children planted and cared for a garden and then created this book about the process.  The book, divided into four sections, is a combination of handwritten text and illustrations by students showing what they learned about gardening. 

How This Project Can Be Useful

  • Models the inclusion of in-class academic work in reading, writing and illustration with an outdoor garden project.
  • The creation of a book can synthesize and codify what students learned in the process of creating a garden.
  • Seeing students’ own handwriting lends an endearing quality, allowing the reader to really get a sense of the children’s work.
  • Some carefully done illustrations, which show students’ understanding of gardening topics, while retaining the style of young children. For examples, see the illustration of the grub on page 20 and the picture of seedling distance on page 13.
  • An exciting, hands-on project for young students.

Common Core State Standards

Standard Long Term Learning Target
W.K.2
  • I can teach my reader about a topic using pictures and words.
W.K.8
  • With support from adults, I can answer questions about things I’ve done or learned about.
L.K.1
  • I can use grammar conventions to send a clear message to a reader or listener.
L.K.2
  • I can use conventions to send a clear message to my reader.
L.1.1
  • I can use grammar conventions to send a clear message to a reader or listener.
L.1.2
  • I can use grammar conventions to send a clear message to a reader.
L.K.6
  • I can speak using words I hear in books.
L.1.6
  • I can speak using words I hear in books.
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