Yolanda U. Trapp
(For Grades 3 to 4 and up)
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
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Organic farming is a method of planting fruits and vegetables without using synthetic fertilizer or pesticides. There is a controversy along these methods. Many food experts state that it would be environmentally desirable to grow crops on a large scale without pesticides, but they argue that pesticides are necessary in order to grow a large variety of foods at affordable prices. Many people believe that food grown without the toxic substances is more healthful. The issue of the best way to produce our food supply is complex, and there are many pros and cons.
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Organic farming uses methods that are in harmony with nature. For example, organic farmers use compost to condition the soil and nourish the crops. Organic farmers also use natural forms of chemicals, such as nitrogen to fertilize their field. To control insect pests, they use insect traps, biodegradable sprays, or plant certain flowers as insect repellents. (17)
OBJECTIVES:
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Investigate organic farming techniques.
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Understand and demonstrate the process of planting a garden.
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Investigate how to make a compost heap.
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Infer how compost turns into a natural fertilizer.
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Describe how different kinds of plants grow.
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Observe different kinds of root growth.
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VOCABULARY:
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Compost:: Fertilizer made from dead plants, leaves and clean garbage.
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Fertilizer:
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A substance added to soil to help plants grow.
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Organic:
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Having to do with or coming from living things.
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PROCEDURE:
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a)
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If your class wants to start a garden with seeds from fruits and vegetables, make sure the seeds are prepped for planting. Watermelon and avocado seeds need to be completely dry out before planting. Other seeds like walnuts and pecans need to be soaked in water for several weeks and then left in a dark place to sprout.
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b)
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Show students a current Farmer's Almanac and have them use the almanac as a model and a reference to compile a class almanac. They should include information about the weather, temperature, etc. Encourage students to jot down their thoughts about gardening as well as gardening tips they have discovered that might be useful to others.
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c)
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Bring in an organically grown apple and one from the supermarket. Have students compare them. Tell your class that one of the apples was grown with the help of synthetically produced chemicals; the other was grown without them. Have your class sample the two apples for taste and texture. See if they can identify which is organically grown. (Explain that many stores bought apples look glossy because of a wax coating-they aren't naturally shiny. The organic apple may appear more pitted and rough.) Why would they buy an apple that was organically grown over one that wasn't?
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d)
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Have your class write to your local USDA Soil Conservation Service to find out what kind of pesticides are used in your area. With your students compile a set of questions about pesticides use. Are these pesticides harmful to the environment? Do they hurt the wildlife in the area? Do the pesticides harm our water supply? What is being done to protect the area? Then write a member of a conservation organization to speak to the class concerning the issues.
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e)
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Help students understand that some soil-dwelling creatures, such as earthworms, help keep plants healthy. Earthworms loosen the soil, allowing air and water to reach plant roots. Their tunneling also helps mix organic matter with nutrients in the soil.
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f)
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To start student's own organic garden, they will need seeds but they don't need to go to a garden store to buy them. Just let them bring dried peas or beans from their kitchen cabinet at home and get growing.
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MATERIALS:
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2-3 dried peas
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water
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clear plastic cups
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pencil
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3/4 cup potting soil
DIRECTIONS:
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Soak the peas in water for 24 hours before planting.
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2)
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Fill the cup 3/4 full of potting soil.
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3) Poke shallow holes in the soil with the pencil. Drop a pea in each hole. Place one seed between the soil and the inside wall of the cup. This will let your see the roots grow.
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4)
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Cover the seeds with soil. Water the seeds enough to keep the soil moist.
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5) When you see the seeds starting to sprout, draw a picture of them in the first box below. Every three days draw another picture to show how the plants are growing. When the sprouts are about 4 inches tall, transplant them to your outdoor school garden.
ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES:
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These are used or designed to examine student's ability to reason, think critically, and apply knowledge of science to the real world. Students will be encouraged to communicate their ideas through peer interaction, drawings, spoken and written language, hands-on experimentation, and more.
