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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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