Garden Growth Teacher Guide Garden Growth Lab
Teacher Facilitation Guide
Integrating 4th Grade Math (TEKS 4.4H, 4.5A) & Science (TEKS 4.9A, 4.10A/B)
Project Overview
The Garden Growth Lab is a 10-day Project-Based Learning (PBL) experience. Students transform into "Garden Consultants" who must use their knowledge of plant biology (life cycles and photosynthesis) and mathematical operations (multiplication and division) to design a viable garden solution.
Option A: Community Garden Design
Focuses on spatial planning, resource allocation, and environmental sustainability. Best for visual designers and environmentalists.
Option B: Garden Business Plan
Focuses on profit margins, bulk purchasing, and market distribution. Best for logic-driven students and entrepreneurs.
Standards Alignment (TEKS)
Mathematics
4.4H: Solve with fluency one- and two-step problems involving multiplication and division.4.5A: Represent multi-step problems using strip diagrams and equations.
Science
4.9A: Investigate that most producers need sunlight, water, and air to make food.4.10A: Explore how structures and functions of plants enable them to survive.4.10B: Explore that some likenesses are inherited from parents and some are learned.
10-Day Pacing Guide
Day Focus Key Activity 1-2 Life Cycles & Intro Project Kickoff; Exploring seed-to-seed stages. Identifying inherited traits in garden crops. 3-4 Solar Power Plants Photosynthesis investigation. Calculating water and light needs (Math: Multiplication). 5 Math in the Mud Solving multi-step garden word problems. Representing problems with strip diagrams. 6-7 Design & Plan Selection of Option A or B. Researching specific plants and their growth requirements. 8-9 Creation Phase Drafting blueprints or business budgets. Finalizing presentation visual aids. 10 Pitch Day Formal presentations. Peer review using the "Compliment & Question" method.
Essential Questions
How does energy flow from the sun into the food we eat?
How can multiplication and division help us make a garden sustainable?
Why is a plant's life cycle predictable, and how does that affect garden planning?
Garden Lab Intro Slides Project Launch
Garden Growth Lab
Designing the future of food through Science and Mathematics.
Science
Math
Design
The Mission
The local community needs a new source of fresh, healthy food. You have been hired as a Garden Consultant to create a proposal.
Choose Your Path:
Design Path: Sketch a blueprint and map out plant spacing.Business Path: Calculate costs and project crop sales.
The Power of the Sun
How do plants make food?
☀️
Sunlight
Energy absorbed by chlorophyll in the leaves.
💧
Water
Absorbed by the roots and transported up the stem.
🌬️
Air (CO2)
Taken in through tiny pores called stomata.
Sun + Water + CO2 = Glucose (Sugar) + Oxygen
Math in the Mud
Problem Solving Skills:
×
Multiplication: Total seed counts and garden area.
÷
Division: Distributing seeds or splitting profits.
+/-
Multi-Step: Buying packs of seeds and finding change.
Example Challenge:
If one tomato plant produces 12 tomatoes, and we have 15 plants, how many tomatoes will we harvest in total?
We will use Strip Diagrams to visualize these problems!
Life Cycle Log Worksheet Life Cycle Log
Garden Growth Lab | Science Investigation
Name:
Date:
Part 1: Stages of Growth
Illustrate and label the four major stages of a flowering plant's life cycle. Explain how structures in each stage help the plant survive.
1. Seed
2. Germination / Sprout
3. Mature Plant
4. Seed Production
Part 2: Plant Traits
Identify whether each garden trait is Inherited (passed from parent plants) or Influenced by the environment.
Garden Scenario Inherited Trait? Environmental Influence? A pumpkin plant produces orange fruit because its parent plant was orange.
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| A corn stalk grows very tall because it received extra fertilizer and water. |
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| A rose bush has sharp thorns to protect it from herbivores. |
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| A bean seedling leans toward the window to get more sunlight. |
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The Photosynthesis Connection
In the space below, explain how the Mature Plant stage of the life cycle is essential for the Photosynthesis process. Use the terms: chlorophyll, glucose, and energy .
Math in the Mud Worksheet Math in the Mud
Integrated Science & Math Problem Solving
Name
Date
The Science Data
A healthy garden requires Photosynthesis to produce food (glucose). Scientists have found that each tomato plant needs 2 liters of water every day to perform photosynthesis effectively.
1
The community garden has 8 raised beds. Each bed contains 24 tomato plants. How many liters of water are needed for all the plants in the garden for one single day ?
Strip Diagram
Equation & Solution
2
Farmer Sam harvested 432 carrots. He threw away 48 carrots that were too small to sell because they didn't get enough sunlight for photosynthesis. He divided the remaining carrots equally into 8 baskets. How many carrots were in each basket?
Strip Diagram
Equation & Solution
3
A packet of "Super Grower" fertilizer (essential for plant structures) costs $4. If the Garden Club buys 15 packets and pays with a $100 bill, how much change will they receive?
Strip Diagram
Equation & Solution
Math in the Mud Worksheet Expanded Math in the Mud
Integrated Science & Math Practice • Page 1
Name
Date
Photosynthesis Power: Plants use solar energy to grow. Use these math problems to track our garden's data. Show your work with Strip Diagrams and Equations !
1
A tomato plant needs 2 liters of water daily for photosynthesis. The garden has 8 raised beds, each with 24 plants. How many liters of water are needed for the whole garden in one day?
Strip Diagram
Equation & Solution
2
Farmer Sam harvested 432 carrots. He threw away 48 carrots that were rotten. He divided the remaining carrots equally into 8 baskets. How many carrots were in each basket?
Strip Diagram
Equation & Solution
3
A seed packet costs $4. If the Garden Club buys 15 packets and pays with a $100 bill, how much change will they receive?
Strip Diagram
Equation & Solution
Math in the Mud
Integrated Science & Math Practice • Page 2
4
A scientist found 725 seeds in a sunflower. She gave away 150 seeds to a school garden. She planted the remaining seeds in 5 equal rows. How many seeds are in each row?
Strip Diagram
Equation & Solution
5
A pumpkin plant produces 14 pumpkins. If there are 26 healthy plants in a field, but 8 pumpkins rot before harvest, how many pumpkins are left to pick?
Strip Diagram
Equation & Solution
6
Healthy corn stalks produce 48 grams of glucose each. A botanist studies 12 healthy stalks, but 3 of them die. How many grams of glucose did the remaining healthy stalks produce?
Strip Diagram
Equation & Solution
Garden Project Planner Project Planner Project Planner
Garden Growth Lab | 10-Day PBL Challenge
Consultant Name
1
Select Your Project Path
Option A: Community Garden Design
Create a visual blueprint. Calculate plant spacing and design a rainwater collection system for photosynthesis.
I choose this path
Option B: Garden Business Plan
Create a financial plan. Calculate seed costs, projected harvest amounts, and potential profit.
I choose this path
Project Phase Checklist
Research Phase Pick 3 plants and find their needs.
Mathematics Phase Solve multi-step calculations.
Drafting Phase Sketch blueprint or budget table.
Presentation Phase Practice pitch and practice visuals.
2
Core Requirement: Science
Photosynthesis Analysis
Explain how your garden layout or plant choices maximize sunlight for photosynthesis. What structures do your plants have that help them survive? Use vocabulary: chlorophyll , energy , and glucose .
3
Core Requirement: Mathematics
The "Big Calc" (Multi-Step)
Show your main multi-step calculation here. You must include a strip diagram and a final equation to solve your problem.
Strip Diagram
Equation & Solution
4
Drafting Phase
Rough Sketch: Blueprint or Budget Table
Use this space to draft your final product. For Option A , sketch your map. For Option B , create your rows and columns for costs.
Presentation Master Rubric Presentation Rubric
Garden Growth Lab | Final Evaluation
Criteria Exceptional (4) Proficient (3) Developing (2-1) Math Mastery
| Includes multi-step calculations with perfect accuracy. Strip diagrams and equations are clear. | Includes multi-step calculations with minor errors. Diagrams are present. | Calculations are single-step or missing. Diagrams are incorrect. |
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Botanical Science
| Deep explanation of photosynthesis and life cycles. Correctly identifies all traits. | General explanation of photosynthesis and life cycles. Mostly identifies traits. | Vague or incorrect scientific explanations. Confuses stages. |
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Project Design
| Plan is detailed, logical, and aesthetically professional. Shows creative problem solving. | Plan is complete and organized. Meets all basic requirements. | Plan is incomplete, messy, or missing key components. |
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Public Speaking
| Speaks clearly, makes eye contact, and answers peer questions with confidence. | Speaks clearly most of the time. Makes some eye contact. | Difficult to hear or understand. Reads directly from visual aid. |
Feedback & Score
Strengths
Areas for Growth
TOTAL SCORE:
/ 16
