Children's Garden & Education

Discovery Programs for Elementary School Age Groups

Embark on a learning adventure in the Children’s Garden with one of our group education programs for children age 6 - 12. These active hands-on programs bring plant science to life and reinforce SOL concepts and vocabulary. Class size is limited to 25 students. Programs are available at 9:00, 10:15 and 11:30 Monday-Friday. These programs can be reserved by contacting a registrar at 804-262-9887 x322.

Program Descriptions

SPRING AND FALL 2012

Garden Explorers | KINDERGARTEN |

The sights, sounds, scents, textures and tastes of the garden come alive in this

sensory exploration of the Children’s Garden. Each child also participates in hands-on

gardening activities. (Meets State Science SOL objective K.2)

Small Sprouts to Garden Giants | 1ST GRADE | Available through October 31

Starting with an investigation of seeds and ending with a study of full-grown giants of

the plant world, students gain knowledge about the life process of plants. Each child

also participates in hands-on gardening activities. (Meets State Science SOL

objectives 1.4 and 1.5)

Plants, What Good Are They? | 2nd GRADE | Available through October 31

Our interdependence with plants is emphasized as students learn more about how

plants make oxygen, and how we use plants for food, medicine and clothing. Each

child also participates in hands-on gardening activities. (Meets State Science SOL

objectives 2.4 and 2.8)

Inside a Blossom | 4th GRADE | Available through October 31

Students discover the function of individual floral parts as they dissect a blossom,

examine the pistil and stamen, and touch the sticky stigma. Each child participates in

the hands-on gardening work of the day. (Meets State Science SOL objective 4.4)

Tree Traits | Kindergarten - 5th GRADE

Through the careful study of the characteristic shape, color and texture of leaves,

bark, and seed pods, students learn basic skills for identifying trees. This program is

adapted to each grade level. (Meets State Science SOL objectives K.8, K.9, 1.7, 2.7,

3.8, 4.4, and 5.5)

Seasons & Cycles of the Powhatan Indians | 2nd - 5th GRADES

Students investigate the calendar of the Powhatan Indians and learn how they

adapted their diet to seasonal changes. Each group gathers food from the trail, uses

natural fibers to make rope, weaves a mat, or plays a traditional game. (Meets State

History & Social Science SOL objectives VS.2 and VS.3, Science SOL objectives 1.7,

2.7, 3.8, 3.1, and 4.7)

Mother Nature’s Garden | 3rd – 5th GRADE

Students discover habitat and species diversity as they investigate various plant

communities including a wetland, a pond, and a forest. Students put the scientific

method into practice by making observations, measuring and collecting data and

forming hypotheses. (Meets State Science SOL objective 3.6)

Young Gardeners | 3rd - 5th GRADES

There are many tasks required to start a garden and keep it growing and healthy.

Beginning with the right soil and seeds and ending with compost, students participate

in the cycle necessary to start, grow, and maintain a garden. (Meets State Science SOL

objectives 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.7, and 3.10)

 

Children's Garden Group Information Guide

Our Children's Garden Group Information Guide is REQUIRED reading for any group that wants to book a trip to the garden. It can be accessed here. Below are links to individual sections, but make sure to familiarize yourself with the entire document before booking your class.