Geometric Gardens

National Standards

Science:
NS.K-4.1
NS.K-4.3
NS.K-4.4
NS.5-8.1
NS.5-8.3
NS.5-8.4

Mathematics:
NM.K-4.10

Subject: Science, Math
Grade: K-2, 3-5, 6-8

Brief Description

Students create a geometric-shaped flower garden

Objectives

Students:

• identify geometric shapes,
• draw geometric designs for the flower gardens,
• create life-size geometric patterns for the garden,
• plant flower seeds in the patterns and monitor the plants' growth

Materials Needed

• pictures or examples of geometric shapes
• pictures of gardens from gardening magazines or books
• a small area of land
• a yardstick or measuring tape
• drawing or construction paper
• newspaper
• clear or masking tape
• markers, crayons, pens, or pencils
• scissors
• teacher- and/or student-selected flower seeds
• several weights to hold down large newspaper patterns (for example, books or rocks, etc.)
• chalk
• gardening tools
• plant markers
• water

Lesson Plan

Complete this activity in several lessons.

Lesson 1

• Ask students to identify geometric shapes from pictures or actual objects.
• Show students pictures of gardens from gardening magazines or books. Ask students to name the shapes of the gardens.
• Tell students they are going to plant and design a garden shaped in geometric patterns.
• Take the class outside to the area designated for the garden. Ask students to guess the size of the area.
• Using a yardstick or measuring tape, measure the area. Determine which guesstimate was closest to the actual size.

Lesson 2

• Divide the class into small groups. Distribute drawing or construction paper.
• Tell students that each group will create a design for the garden using a variety of geometric shapes.
• When everyone has finished, have each group present its design to the class. Let the students vote on the design for the garden. (Depending on the size of the plot, you may want to use more than one design.)

Lesson 3

• Discuss the size of the garden. Ask students how large each shape in the design should be to fit the garden.
• Have students tape together newspaper; they will use the newspaper to create a life-size pattern for each shape. Let students measure and draw each shape using markers and a measuring tape or yardstick. For a circle, show students how to measure and draw the diameter of a circle. Have students cut out the patterns.
• Show students the packets of flower seeds. Decide which seeds to plant in the garden. Discuss the colors of the flowers and which color to use in each shape.

Lesson 4

• In the garden plot, have students lay out the patterns. Help them put books, rocks, or other heavy objects on the patterns to hold them to the ground.
• Let students use chalk to trace the outline of each pattern shape on the ground.
• Hand out gardening tools for students to use in planting the seeds inside the shapes. Write the name of each kind of flower on a plant marker and place it in the appropriate section. Water thoroughly.

Have students monitor the growth of the seeds. Watch the colors emerge in the shapes!

Variation for younger students: Work together as a class to create one geometric design for the garden.

Assessment

Evaluate students' designs and participation.