Brief Description: Students help to plant a habitat garden.

Objectives:

• Introduce students to plants that are native to western North Carolina
• Discuss basic needs of plants and animals and how they are interconnected
• create a backyard habitat for wildlife and insects

Materials:

native trees (persimmon, green ash, and river birch)

shrubs (blueberries and blackberries)

plants (cut leaf cone flower, crown beard, joe-pye weed, yarrow, bee balm)

shovels

mulch

NC Standard Course of Study Goals:

Science –1.01, 1.02, 1.03, 1.04, 1.05

Social Studies – 3.02, 5.05

Healthful Living –9.01, 9.02, 10.02, 10.03

Getting Started / Procedure

• Students and teacher discuss what plants, people and animals need to live and why they need each other. Introduce the word habitat and talk about how habitat is sometimes lost when schools, roads, or houses are built.
• Ask students to brainstorm some animals that live in North Carolina and where they live. Discuss what we would need in our garden to offer animals a good “habitat”.
• Introduce students to some trees, shrubs and plants that are found here in North Carolina (see materials list). If time allows discuss what a native plant is compared to an introduced plant.
• Plant a habitat garden (best by a creek or water source) with native plants. Have students write or draw plants and what it’s role is in providing habitat (food for…, shelter, etc).

Extensions:

• Have students write a story about creating a habitat garden and what might come to live there.
• Read books that include native plants and animals
• Investigate the rest of the school yard for animal homes or habitat