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Schoolyard Habitat Garden
Programs
K - 6th Grades |
The
Back to Natives Schoolyard Habitat Garden Program was
developed to educate students about the value of native
plants and wildlife habitat, especially in an urban
environment. Our habitat garden curriculum meets many of
the California State Science or Social Science Standards
for Kindergarten through 6th grade.
These exciting, hands-on programs can stand alone, but
are more beneficial for students if presented in
combination with one of our
Traveling Naturalist programs.
Cost: $9.50/student, min 20. Cost
includes an initial onsite consultation, pre-digging,
site conditioning, educational activities, planting
guidance, and a one gallon sized plant for every two
students.
Schedule: 949-509-4787 or
education@backtonatives.com
See classes below:
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(Standards: 2c, 4a)
Children plant a "5 Senses" Garden, with California
Native plants that have distinctive sensual qualities.
Bladder pod plants have seed pods that rattle. Sages
have fragrant leaves and flowers. Lemonade berry has
seeds that taste sour. Indian mallow has velvety leaves.
Buckwheat has flowers that change from pink to rust, and
deerweed has flowers that change from yellow to orange.
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(Standards: 1a, 2c,
2e)
Children
plant a "Plant Parts" Habitat Garden, with California
Native plants while the Naturalist emphasizes roots,
leaves and other plant structures. Each species planted
will be included because it also provides food or
shelter for animals such as birds and butterflies.
Harlequin beetles live on Bladderpod plants. Monarch
butterflies eat milkweed as caterpillars. Hummingbirds
drink nectar from California Buckwheat. The Naturalist
will show students how to combine solids (soil), liquid
(water), and gasses (CO2) together to create a perfect
environment for their plant. |
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(Science: 3a, 3b,
3c, 1d)
Children plant an "Adaptation" Garden, with California
Native plants adapted to the climate and soil at their
school. Each species planted will have unique
adaptations that the children will learn about during
their planting experience. Laurel sumac has "taco
shaped" leaves to create shade. Buckwheat has tiny
leaves to conserve water. White sage has light colored
leaves to reflect the sun's heat. Indian mallow has tiny
hairs on its leaves to shade the surface from the sun.
Lemonade berry has waxy leaves to retain water. Toyon
has pointy leaves to reduce the surface area exposed to
the sun. The Naturalist will also emphasize flowers,
fruit and other plant structures, as well as the solids
(soil), liquids (water) and gasses (air) needed by the
plants to thrive. |
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(Science: 2b)
Children plant a "Food Web" Garden, with California
Native plants that provide food or shelter for animals
such as birds and butterflies. Harlequin beetles live on
Bladderpod plants, birds eat harlequin beetles and hawks
eat birds. Mourning Cloak butterflies eat willow as
caterpillars, willow branches provide structure for
hummingbird nests, and hummingbirds pollinate California
Fuchsia. The yucca moth pollinates the yucca plant,
while the yucca seeds provide food for the moth larvae.
Yucca moths provide food for bats and bats eat
mosquitoes. |
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(Standards: 2e, 2f, 2g, 3a, 3d, 3e)
Students will learn that most of Earth's water is salt
water in the oceans. Since the amount of fresh water
located in rivers, lakes and under-ground sources is
limited, it must be recycled and conserved. Students
will take a look at where the water comes from that goes
to THEIR school, and in order to conserve that limited
water, they will plant a "Water Conservation" Garden.
The garden will be planted exclusively with locally
native plants that require little or no water once
established because they are adapted to the climate at
the school's location. During the program the Naturalist
will also discuss photosynthesis, plant respiration and
how sugar, water, and minerals are transported in plants
using hands-on activities to engage the student's
attention and retention. |
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Downloadable files of our
Educational Programs: |
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(Standards: 2b, 2f)
Children plant a "Metamorphosis" Garden, with California
Native plants while the Naturalist emphasizes flowers,
fruit and other plant structures. Each species planted
will be included because it is a butterfly host plant -
meaning caterpillars eat the leaves of that specific
plant before they become chrysalises. Monarch
butterflies eat milkweed as caterpillars. Mourning Cloak
butterflies eat willow as caterpillars. Anise
Swallowtail butterflies eat Lomatium as caterpillars.
Painted Lady butterflies eat Bush Mallow as
caterpillars. |
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(History-Social
Science, 3.1.2, 3.2.1, 3.2.2)
Children plant a "Tongva" Garden, with California Native
plants that were once used by the Gabrielino (Tongva)
for food, shelter, clothing, tools and medicine.
Students learn how the indigenous people used the
resources of the local region in their customs,
traditions and daily life. Laurel sumac predicted the
weather. Buckwheat seeds were ground for flour. White
sage was used as incense and shampoo. Lemonade berry
made a sour drink. Toyon bark cured stomach aches.
California sagebrush was insect repellant and black sage
was food seasoning.
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(History-Social
Science, 4.2.1)
Children plant a "California" Garden, planting native
plants that were once used by the indigenous people of
California for food, shelter, clothing, tools and
medicine. Students learn how California Native Americans
depended on and adapted to the land's natural resources.
The Kumeyaay made shelters from manzanita, deerweed,
tule, and chamise. The Miwok used yarrow, milkweed,
yerba santa and monkey flower as medicine. The Chumash
used buckwheat, wild grape, blackberry and prickly pear
cactus for food.
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(Standards: 5a, 5b,
6b)
Students plant an "Energy" Garden, planting California
Native plants that provide energy to animals such as
birds and butterflies. Throughout the program students
will be reminded that energy enters ecosystems as
sunlight, and it is transferred by producers into
chemical energy through photosynthesis. Participants
will learn about the destination of the energy they are
"planting" - and have an idea of where the matter will
be transferred over time from one organism to others in
the food web. During the program the Naturalist will
review the functions organisms serve in the ecosystem,
and help students classify natural resources as
renewable and non-renewable. |
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