Lesson Plan
Middle School
Darla Gerlach, EdD
gerlachd@sasd.k12.pa.us
Shaler Area Middle School
1810 Mt. Royal Boulevard
Glenshaw, PA 15101
Hands-on
Up to 1 month
This unit correlates with English/Language Arts, Science, Social Studies curricula and Humanities curricula.
Students will study Jefferson’s concept of microclimate and water conservation at Monticello and they are given the opportunity to monitor their observations of growing their own vegetable (a radish) similar to Jefferson’s detailed recordkeeping of his vegetable garden at Monticello. Students will also discuss microclimate at Montalto (mountain next to Monticello); comparing and contrasting agricultural concepts and conservation nowadays.
Students will be provided with information from the Monticello website andinterrelated resources.
PA Core Standards: Reading in History & Social Studies (6-8); Reading Informational Texts: CC.8.5.6-8.A,B,D-G,J; Writing in History & Social Studies (6-8); CC.8.6.6-8.A-I.; Reading in Science & Technology (6-8); CC.3.5.6-8C,F-I; Writing in Science & Technology (6-8); CC.3.6.6-8A-I.
Students will develop an understanding of how Thomas Jefferson incorporated plants and agricultural ideas from multiple foreign countries into his own gardens at Monticello.
This section is coordinated with the following sections: Jefferson’s Gardens: A Landscape of Opportunities: Introduction to Project-Based Learning and Instructions to the Unit, as well as:
Lesson 1 – APerpetuating Flower Garden
Lesson 3 – Jefferson: Creating Personal Space for Self-Reflection
Lesson 4 – The Art of Calligraphy
Students will develop an understanding of Jefferson’s fascination with plant experimentation and gardening techniques for future generations to expound upon. Jefferson’s tolerance with unsuccessful crops and his determination to persevere with successful solutions provides inspiration for individuals today.
Refer to questions in PowerPoint in "Handouts and Downloads."
See the following in "Handouts and Downloads"
Handouts:
Reference: Jefferson's Gardens: "A Landscape of Opportunities Image Gallery"