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Welcome to the Sustainability Lesson Clearinghouse

Here, you can find free sustainability lessons to use in your class and upload your own lessons to share. Be sure to rate the lessons you use and leave comments for your colleagues!

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Sustainability Lesson Clearinghouse

Ready, Set, Grow!

Lesson Description:
In this lesson, students construct a butterfly garden. Through this activity, students must select and plant the appropriate plants, set up water dishes for butterflies, write journal entries, and draw illustrations of the garden. This lesson is most suitable for 1st grade students and adheres to Florida sunshine state and process standards.
Lesson Type:
  • Group Work
  • Project

Sustainability Topic:
  • Gardening

GEF Program Category:
  • Green Thumb Challenge

Time Needed:
2-4 hours, may depend on number of plants and students
Standards Addressed:
  • La.b.1.1.1.1.1
    • the student generates ideas before writing on self-selected topics and assigned tasks (for example, brainstorming, observing surroundings, reading texts, discussion with peer).
  • sc.d.1.1.1.1.1
    • the student extends and refines knowledge that the surface of the earth is composed of different types of solid materials.
  • sc.h.1.1.4.1.1
    • the student uses simple graphs, pictures, written statements, and numbers to observe, describe, record, and compare data.
  • information managers
    • 01 florida students locate, comprehend, interpret, evaluate, maintain, and apply information, concepts, and ideas found in literature, the arts, symbols, recordings, video and other graphic displays, and computer files in order to perform tasks and/or for enjoyment.
  • effective communicators
    • 02 florida students communicate in english and other languages using information, concepts, prose, symbols, reports, audio and video recordings, speeches, graphic displays, and computer-based programs.
  • critical and creative thinkers
    • 04 florida students use creative thinking skills to generate new ideas, make the best decision, recognize and solve problems through reasoning, interpret symbolic data, and develop efficient techniques for lifelong learning.
  • responsible and ethical workers
    • 05 florida students display responsibility, self-esteem, sociability, self-management, integrity, and honesty.
  • cooperative workers
    • 08 florida students work cooperatively to successfully complete a project or activity.

Materials Needed:
  • space on campus (close to classroom if possible) for planting of plants
  • selection of listed plants (see preparations and associated file)

School or Group:
Beacon Lesson Plan Library
Contact Email:
service@greeneducationfoundation.org
Located in: Math

The Sustainability Lesson Clearinghouse is brought to you in partnership with

Center for Green Schools