General

Grade Level

Middle School

Author Info

Darla Gerlach, EdD
gerlachd@sasd.k12.pa.us
Shaler Area Middle School
1810 Mt. Royal Boulevard
Glenshaw, PA 15101

Type of Lesson

Hands-on

Duration

Up to 1 month

Interdisciplinary Connections

This unit correlates with English/Language Arts, Science, Social Studies curricula and Humanities curricula.

Objectives

Overview

Students will develop an understanding and appreciation of the breadth and depth of the planning involved in the gardens at Monticello and the continual care to assure that plants are perpetuated for future enjoyment not only at Monticello but in the students’ gardens and communities as well.

Prior Knowledge

Students will be provided with information from the Monticello website andinterrelated resources.

State Standards

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.

Objectives/Learning Outcomes

Students will understand Jefferson as an "Age of Enlightenment Thinker" and how he collected, exchanged and distributed seeds from various parts of the world; how he incorporated garden ideas from abroad into his flower gardens; and how he broadened the concept of flower beds and landscape in the U.S. during his era.

Technology Connections/outcomes

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 2 – An Experimental Vegetable Garden

Lesson 3 – Jefferson: Creating Personal Space for Self-Reflection

Lesson 4 – The Art of Calligraphy

Additional Learning Outcomes

Students have the opportunity to observe flowers in their own gardens and select a flower of their choice to collect seeds and perpetuate the flower for the next growing season.

Essential Questions

Refer to the powerpoint in "Handouts and Downloads."

Procedures

1. See "Handouts and Downloads" for:

   1. Jefferson's Gardens: A Landscape of Opportunities; Section 1: A Perpetuating Flower Garden
   2. Sketch of Marygold-Calendula-officinalis
   3. Reference: Jefferson's Gardens: A Landscape of Opportunities Image Gallery

Related Assets

Handouts and Downloads

• A Perpetuating Flower Garden (ppt)
• An Experimental Vegetable Garden

Assessment

Refer to A Perpetuating Flower Garden ppt.