The Earth Genius Program is our garden-based curriculum that we bring to our partner schools.
We have created 24 lesson plans focused on the garden and tied to Next Generation Science Standards, all of which are uploaded here for your use. Our lessons are grouped in 'phenomenal series' to link related and/or sequential lessons. Lessons can be taught stand-alone, but may have more significance if taught in the suggested order, within a given phenomenal series. Lessons can be downloaded and used digitally or printed.
What Can You Download?
Full Lesson - This is a full lesson plan that goes into great depth on a given subject and activity. It will contain links to any printouts, handouts, visual aids, videos, slideshows, or other content required for the lesson. This lesson plan can be reduced and filtered to support your time constraints and grade-level content.
Science Framework - We have correlated all of our lessons with the Next Generation Science Standards, and this document identifies which standards are supported, listing performance expectations, environmental principles and concepts, science and engineering practices, cross cutting concepts, and disciplinary core ideas.
Simplified Lessons with Activities - Because the full lesson plan can be quite in-depth, we've created reduced lesson plans that contain everything you need for a successful 20 - 45 minute lesson, and draw upon the Full Lessons. They are designed for specific age groups, either K-2, 3-6.
Complementary Workbooklets - We call them "Garden Journals", and they pair with our Series. Each series has Garden Journals tailored to different age groups, and you can download them all here. These are a great way to reinforce the concepts learned during the lesson or use as a take-home activity to follow up with the garden time.
What Grade Level Are These Lessons For?
Our Full Lessons are activity based and can be tailored to almost any grade level K - 8, especially since NGSS calls for 'spiraling', or refreshing old topics across grade levels to reinforce and develop cross-cutting concepts, disciplinary core ideas, and science and engineering practices.
Looking for Teen Lessons? We have those too! Click here.
Phenomenal Series:
Is Soil Alive?
Full Lesson | Science Framework
Simplified Activities (by grade level): K-2, 3-6
In this lesson students will learn that soil is home to billions of organisms that play vital roles in decomposition and ecosystem health. Students will use their senses to discover qualities of different soil types and understand what they provide for plants in way of food, water, and shelter. They will then practice setting up an experiment to test which mixture of soils help support plant growth best!
Living in Our Watershed
Full Lesson | Science Framework
Simplified Activities (by grade level): k-2, 3-6
Through storytelling, acting and a 3D model, students will review the water cycle, learn the term ‘watershed,’ make observations about how water and pollution runs off of and infiltrates landscapes and affects habitats, as well as explore relationships that contribute to health or harm in our watershed.
Pollution Solutions
Full Lesson | Science Framework
Simplified Activities (by grade level): K-2, 3-6
How is litter created? What impacts does it have on the environment, both humans and non humans? In this lesson students pose questions about the nature of the litter found around their school, make predictions, do a campus cleanup, and then brainstorm solutions to prevent litter.
Full Lesson | Science Framework
Simplified Activities (by grade level): K-2, 3-6
In this lesson students will learn that soil is home to billions of organisms that play vital roles in decomposition and ecosystem health. Students will use their senses to discover qualities of different soil types and understand what they provide for plants in way of food, water, and shelter. They will then practice setting up an experiment to test which mixture of soils help support plant growth best!
Living in Our Watershed
Full Lesson | Science Framework
Simplified Activities (by grade level): k-2, 3-6
Through storytelling, acting and a 3D model, students will review the water cycle, learn the term ‘watershed,’ make observations about how water and pollution runs off of and infiltrates landscapes and affects habitats, as well as explore relationships that contribute to health or harm in our watershed.
Pollution Solutions
Full Lesson | Science Framework
Simplified Activities (by grade level): K-2, 3-6
How is litter created? What impacts does it have on the environment, both humans and non humans? In this lesson students pose questions about the nature of the litter found around their school, make predictions, do a campus cleanup, and then brainstorm solutions to prevent litter.
Drought Tolerant Landscapes |
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Graphing The Drought
Full Lesson | Science Framework
Simplified Activities (by grade level): K-2, 3-6
In this lesson students review the water cycle, learn watersheds to better understand human impacts on water resources, and graph precipitation data to visualize the severity of California’s drought and become familiar with digital graphing.
Invasive vs. Native Debate
Full Lesson | Science Framework
Simplified Activities (by grade level): K-2, 3-6
In this lesson students will explore how humans interact with their environment, specifically plants, and how they support us physically as well as financially. Then, they will play a game that reveals how human impact can affect the ecosystem by altering the species that exist in it. They will take a tour on campus to identify plant species, benefits of plants in general, and choose carefully from plant selections in order to positively impact the landscape using low impact development (LID) techniques.
LID Design Challenge/Rainscaping
Full Lesson | Science Framework
Simplified Activities (by grade level): K-2, 3-6
Students learn about stormwater runoff, identify challenge areas on the school site, and design solutions and present designs to master Low Impact Development (LID) concepts to landscape management.
Full Lesson | Science Framework
Simplified Activities (by grade level): K-2, 3-6
In this lesson students review the water cycle, learn watersheds to better understand human impacts on water resources, and graph precipitation data to visualize the severity of California’s drought and become familiar with digital graphing.
Invasive vs. Native Debate
Full Lesson | Science Framework
Simplified Activities (by grade level): K-2, 3-6
In this lesson students will explore how humans interact with their environment, specifically plants, and how they support us physically as well as financially. Then, they will play a game that reveals how human impact can affect the ecosystem by altering the species that exist in it. They will take a tour on campus to identify plant species, benefits of plants in general, and choose carefully from plant selections in order to positively impact the landscape using low impact development (LID) techniques.
LID Design Challenge/Rainscaping
Full Lesson | Science Framework
Simplified Activities (by grade level): K-2, 3-6
Students learn about stormwater runoff, identify challenge areas on the school site, and design solutions and present designs to master Low Impact Development (LID) concepts to landscape management.
From Seed to Table to Compost |
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Seeds
Full Lesson | Science Framework
Simplified Activities (by grade level): K-2, 3-6
Seeds are small but mighty! In this lesson students will explore seeds and learn that each one contains all the information necessary to grow into healthy, thriving vegetables for our garden. Learning will happen through a skit that relates common items such as a coat, a snack, and a hat to the structure and function of different seed components. Students will then dissect a variety of soaked seeds to understand that all seeds have these parts and therefore all seeds have the possibility to become a plant.
6 Part Plant Taco
Full Lesson | Science Framework
Simplified Activities (by grade level): K-2, 3-6
Students will gain understanding of the 6 plant parts and their individual functions through a skit. Students will learn about plant adaptations in the context of their school garden and local environment. The class will then identify, harvest, and eat the 6 plant parts as garden tacos!
Garbology
Full Lesson | Science Framework
Simplified Activities (by grade level): K-2, 3-6
Students will learn what kinds of things decompose by conducting a simple experiment wherein items are sealed in a bag with soil for a month, observed, and weighed.
Full Lesson | Science Framework
Simplified Activities (by grade level): K-2, 3-6
Seeds are small but mighty! In this lesson students will explore seeds and learn that each one contains all the information necessary to grow into healthy, thriving vegetables for our garden. Learning will happen through a skit that relates common items such as a coat, a snack, and a hat to the structure and function of different seed components. Students will then dissect a variety of soaked seeds to understand that all seeds have these parts and therefore all seeds have the possibility to become a plant.
6 Part Plant Taco
Full Lesson | Science Framework
Simplified Activities (by grade level): K-2, 3-6
Students will gain understanding of the 6 plant parts and their individual functions through a skit. Students will learn about plant adaptations in the context of their school garden and local environment. The class will then identify, harvest, and eat the 6 plant parts as garden tacos!
Garbology
Full Lesson | Science Framework
Simplified Activities (by grade level): K-2, 3-6
Students will learn what kinds of things decompose by conducting a simple experiment wherein items are sealed in a bag with soil for a month, observed, and weighed.
Drought Hardy Gardens/Ancient Agriculture
Full Lesson | Science Framework
Simplified Activities (by grade level): K-2, 3-6
Students will learn about Egyptian and Middle Eastern agriculture, see how flood and drain irrigation is still used today in Northern California and how that was the impetus for the Central Valley Project to bring water from the wet north to the dry south. Students will learn about dry farming, how it has been used extensively in San Luis Obispo County’s past (such as grains and almonds) and how that technique may need to be employed more so in order to stave off the water shortage. They will then get a chance to build their own irrigation system and tinker with parts to gain an appreciation for how we use technology to feed ourselves.
$1 Million Orange
Full Lesson | Science Framework
Simplified Activities (by grade level): K-2, 3-6
In this lesson students will make orange “juicicles” to learn the steps and costs involved in processing food from its original form to its final form. Students will demonstrate the increased cost of food as it is processed. The activity in this lesson will promote a natural curiosity about how food affects their health while reinforcing food and agriculture as their connection to a better quality of life. Understanding what it takes to produce food will help students make the association between the land, farmers, and the grocery store.
Water Audit
Full Lesson | Science Framework
Simplified Activities (by grade level): K-2, 3-6
Students will quantify their water use at home, understanding water conservation strategies indoors and outdoors and students will recommend and take challenges to explore these strategies at home and at school!
Full Lesson | Science Framework
Simplified Activities (by grade level): K-2, 3-6
Students will learn about Egyptian and Middle Eastern agriculture, see how flood and drain irrigation is still used today in Northern California and how that was the impetus for the Central Valley Project to bring water from the wet north to the dry south. Students will learn about dry farming, how it has been used extensively in San Luis Obispo County’s past (such as grains and almonds) and how that technique may need to be employed more so in order to stave off the water shortage. They will then get a chance to build their own irrigation system and tinker with parts to gain an appreciation for how we use technology to feed ourselves.
$1 Million Orange
Full Lesson | Science Framework
Simplified Activities (by grade level): K-2, 3-6
In this lesson students will make orange “juicicles” to learn the steps and costs involved in processing food from its original form to its final form. Students will demonstrate the increased cost of food as it is processed. The activity in this lesson will promote a natural curiosity about how food affects their health while reinforcing food and agriculture as their connection to a better quality of life. Understanding what it takes to produce food will help students make the association between the land, farmers, and the grocery store.
Water Audit
Full Lesson | Science Framework
Simplified Activities (by grade level): K-2, 3-6
Students will quantify their water use at home, understanding water conservation strategies indoors and outdoors and students will recommend and take challenges to explore these strategies at home and at school!
Space Travelers
Full Lesson | Science Framework
Simplified Activities (by grade level): K-2, 3-6
Students work in small groups as space travelers trying to decipher the composition of soil. After dissecting soil to identify ingredients, they will attempt to manufacture soil. Students will then learn about the important role weathering and decomposers plays in soil formation and will understand how people and healthy soil are codependent.
Buggy Diner
Full Lesson | Science Framework
Simplified Activities (by grade level): K-2, 3-6
Students will set up a simple food preference test to demonstrate the feeding preferences of some common garden insects. They will use the data they collect to classify insects as beneficial or pests.
Eat a Rainbow
Full Lesson | Science Framework
Simplified Activities (by grade level): K-2, 3-6
Students will learn about the positive health effects that individual phytonutrients play inside of our bodies and develop arguments for which color is the most important. The class will make a model showing which colors impart health benefits to which parts of our bodies. Students will discuss patterns of diversity in our world to explore to value of a varied diet. Then, students will make and taste a smoothie using produce from every color of the rainbow!
Full Lesson | Science Framework
Simplified Activities (by grade level): K-2, 3-6
Students work in small groups as space travelers trying to decipher the composition of soil. After dissecting soil to identify ingredients, they will attempt to manufacture soil. Students will then learn about the important role weathering and decomposers plays in soil formation and will understand how people and healthy soil are codependent.
Buggy Diner
Full Lesson | Science Framework
Simplified Activities (by grade level): K-2, 3-6
Students will set up a simple food preference test to demonstrate the feeding preferences of some common garden insects. They will use the data they collect to classify insects as beneficial or pests.
Eat a Rainbow
Full Lesson | Science Framework
Simplified Activities (by grade level): K-2, 3-6
Students will learn about the positive health effects that individual phytonutrients play inside of our bodies and develop arguments for which color is the most important. The class will make a model showing which colors impart health benefits to which parts of our bodies. Students will discuss patterns of diversity in our world to explore to value of a varied diet. Then, students will make and taste a smoothie using produce from every color of the rainbow!
Weather Station
Full Lesson | Science Framework
Simplified Activities (by grade level): K-2, 3-6
Since weather plays a big role in the success of school gardens, students will learn to observe and make sense of it! Students will learn how to track different types of weather components through engineering homemade, weather-measuring devices to help them observe rain, air pressure, humidity, and wind. Students will measure and describe weather, think and act like scientists, look for patterns, and make sense of data to understand weather’s impact on plant growth!
Food Chain Frenzy
Full Lesson | Science Framework
Simplified Activities (by grade level): K-2, 3-6
In this lesson students will explore the interconnectivity between pollution, water, and life forms via tactile games and physical activity.
Species Survey
Full Lesson | Science Framework
Simplified Activities (by grade level): K-2, 3-6
What makes a suitable habitat? What kinds of living beings are typically found in our schoolyard? Students will prepare for an adventure in their school grounds and go on a school safari! Tracking skills and understanding life cycles of local species will be the focus. Students will then turn their attention to a real life example of a declining species of ladybug, the C-9, and will serve as citizen scientists to survey their schoolyard to look for, identify, and photograph ladybug species they encounter.
Full Lesson | Science Framework
Simplified Activities (by grade level): K-2, 3-6
Since weather plays a big role in the success of school gardens, students will learn to observe and make sense of it! Students will learn how to track different types of weather components through engineering homemade, weather-measuring devices to help them observe rain, air pressure, humidity, and wind. Students will measure and describe weather, think and act like scientists, look for patterns, and make sense of data to understand weather’s impact on plant growth!
Food Chain Frenzy
Full Lesson | Science Framework
Simplified Activities (by grade level): K-2, 3-6
In this lesson students will explore the interconnectivity between pollution, water, and life forms via tactile games and physical activity.
Species Survey
Full Lesson | Science Framework
Simplified Activities (by grade level): K-2, 3-6
What makes a suitable habitat? What kinds of living beings are typically found in our schoolyard? Students will prepare for an adventure in their school grounds and go on a school safari! Tracking skills and understanding life cycles of local species will be the focus. Students will then turn their attention to a real life example of a declining species of ladybug, the C-9, and will serve as citizen scientists to survey their schoolyard to look for, identify, and photograph ladybug species they encounter.
Just Passing Through
Full Lesson | Science Framework
Simplified Activities (by grade level): k-2, 3-6
In this lesson series, students learn about stormwater runoff and model solutions using examples with their bodies in an interactive physical activity outside.
Cool Carbon Sink Oaks
Full Lesson | Science Framework
Simplified Activities (by grade level): K-2, 3-6
Students will get a hands-on look at the carbon cycle, where it is stored in their local environment, and the importance of native oaks. Humans have an influence on the natural process of carbon cycling, but how can we have a positive influence? We will be growing our own oaks!
Hoop House Greenhouse
Full Lesson | Science Framework
Simplified Activities (by grade level): K-2, 3-6
In this lesson students will use thermometers to measure soil temperature and use the information to determine if the soil is warm enough to support plant growth. Students will then learn about one structure humans developed to change their local environmental conditions to grow plants in the winter time, the greenhouse! Students will engineer their own prototypes of a greenhouse and visit the hoop house / greenhouse in the garden! Why would farmers want to create a blanket for their crops? What are the benefits? How does it work? Let’s try it!
Full Lesson | Science Framework
Simplified Activities (by grade level): k-2, 3-6
In this lesson series, students learn about stormwater runoff and model solutions using examples with their bodies in an interactive physical activity outside.
Cool Carbon Sink Oaks
Full Lesson | Science Framework
Simplified Activities (by grade level): K-2, 3-6
Students will get a hands-on look at the carbon cycle, where it is stored in their local environment, and the importance of native oaks. Humans have an influence on the natural process of carbon cycling, but how can we have a positive influence? We will be growing our own oaks!
Hoop House Greenhouse
Full Lesson | Science Framework
Simplified Activities (by grade level): K-2, 3-6
In this lesson students will use thermometers to measure soil temperature and use the information to determine if the soil is warm enough to support plant growth. Students will then learn about one structure humans developed to change their local environmental conditions to grow plants in the winter time, the greenhouse! Students will engineer their own prototypes of a greenhouse and visit the hoop house / greenhouse in the garden! Why would farmers want to create a blanket for their crops? What are the benefits? How does it work? Let’s try it!
Getting Micro with Climate
Full Lesson | Science Framework
Simplified Activities (by grade level): K-2, 3-6
Students will explore the difference between climate, weather, and seasons. Each is related and can affect the growth of plants. Field observations of microclimates that exist on campus will give students real data to argue why certain designs and landscapes are more ecologically friendly than others.
Flower Power
Full Lesson | Science Framework
Simplified Activities (by grade level): K-2, 3-6
Students will practice accurately depicting a flower through drawing its components and will locate the reproductive organs of a flower to discuss pollination. They will analyze how the structures of different flowers are beneficial to a variety of different pollinators and will be able to describe coevolution. Then, students will role-play flowers and pollinators and find their perfect match, followed by an exploration outside to observe coevolved flowers and pollinators!
Monarchs and Milkweed
Full Lesson | Science Framework
Simplified Activities (by grade level): K-2, 3-6
Students will identify and observe insects and learn about their common characteristics. They will also learn about the life cycle of monarch butterflies and the relationship between milkweed and monarchs. Afterwards they will plant a monarch habitat at their school and learn about how increasing habitat helps to protect monarch butterflies!
Full Lesson | Science Framework
Simplified Activities (by grade level): K-2, 3-6
Students will explore the difference between climate, weather, and seasons. Each is related and can affect the growth of plants. Field observations of microclimates that exist on campus will give students real data to argue why certain designs and landscapes are more ecologically friendly than others.
Flower Power
Full Lesson | Science Framework
Simplified Activities (by grade level): K-2, 3-6
Students will practice accurately depicting a flower through drawing its components and will locate the reproductive organs of a flower to discuss pollination. They will analyze how the structures of different flowers are beneficial to a variety of different pollinators and will be able to describe coevolution. Then, students will role-play flowers and pollinators and find their perfect match, followed by an exploration outside to observe coevolved flowers and pollinators!
Monarchs and Milkweed
Full Lesson | Science Framework
Simplified Activities (by grade level): K-2, 3-6
Students will identify and observe insects and learn about their common characteristics. They will also learn about the life cycle of monarch butterflies and the relationship between milkweed and monarchs. Afterwards they will plant a monarch habitat at their school and learn about how increasing habitat helps to protect monarch butterflies!
General School Garden Resource Guides
We've put together the following resources to help you create a thriving garden, especially looking at best practices for managing students in the unconventional space of a garden, as well as linking you to other area service providers that can support school garden education (click the links below to download each .pdf file individually).
School Garden Guide
School Garden Funding Resource
Local School Garden Partners, Field Trips, and Support Groups
Classroom Management
One Cool Earth County Planting Calendar
School Garden Guide
School Garden Funding Resource
Local School Garden Partners, Field Trips, and Support Groups
Classroom Management
One Cool Earth County Planting Calendar