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Copyright or Image edited by Henry Guzmán

Unit Plan #6: Harvesting and Plant Care

Primary Goal: Students learn how to determine when vegetables are ready to be picked and how to care for plants after harvesting to keep them healthy.

Grade Level: 3rd to 5th Grade (Ages 8-11)
Duration: 2 Weeks+
Subject Areas: Science, Ecology, Environmental Education, STEAM, Math, Language Arts

 

Stage 1 – Desired Results (Goals, Objectives, and Key Understandings)

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Goals (Established Goals):

  1. Students will embrace the hard work put into the garden project and appreciate the harvesting process.

  2. Students will learn the importance of caring for plants during and after their fruits have been harvested.

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Key Questions to Consider:

  1. When and how do you know a plant is ready for harvest?

  2. What are the best tools/practices when harvesting different vegetables?

  3. What aspects must we consider during post-harvest to ensure that the harvest lasts weeks and that healthy food continues to be harvested?

 

Understandings (Students will understand that):

  1. The importance of the right timing of harvest varies for each plant, and that is crucial for the best yield and quality.

  2. Some plants are more fragile or sensitive and require more gentle harvesting techniques and post-harvest care.

  3. Proper plant care can expand the life of a plant and help in sustainability efforts at the garden.

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Knowledge and Skills (Students will know and be able to):

  1. Identify signs that indicate a vegetable/fruit/plant is ready to be harvested.

  2. Learn and demonstrate caring and proper techniques when harvesting different types of plants.

  3. Care for plants by applying different techniques post-harvest that ensure plant continued growth and health.

 

Stage 2 – Assessment Evidence (Methods to Evaluate Student Learning)

 

Performance Tasks:

  • Harvesting Journal: Students document their harvesting activities; they can note the techniques used and the best practices.

  • Garden Project: Students discuss the best use of the harvest. They can brainstorm potential uses, such as cooking, donating, etc. The plan also includes who and how will continue caring for the plants until the whole harvest process is done.

  • Other Evidence: Students can write essays and poems or create art with the harvest. It can include contests for the best photography or plan post-harvest for the plants.

 

Stage 3 – Learning Plan (Instructional Strategies and Activities)

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Learning Activities:

Week 1: Introduction to Harvesting

  • Concrete Experience (CE): Introduce different types of fruits and vegetables and discuss the signs that indicate when they are ready to be harvested. Consider this example: How to Tell When Your Fruits and Vegetables are Ready to Harvest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gCt675555o

  • Reflective Observation (RO): Have students discuss which plants in the garden are ready for harvest and discuss why.

  • Active Experimentation (AE): Conduct a hands-on activity where students practice harvesting different crops. Document findings in their journals.  Look at this guide: Safe Harvesting: https://kidsgardening.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/KG_gardeningbasics-safeharvesting.pdf

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Week 2: Post-Harvest Plant Care

  • Concrete Experience (CE): Introduce several principles of post-harvest plant care. The plant will continue producing or maturing vegetables, but others must be cleaned and the soil pre-prepared for the next planting season. For guidance: How To Care for Your Garden After Harvest: https://gardentap.com/blog/garden-care-after-harvest/

  • Reflective Observation (RO): Have students write and reflect on why it is important to do post-harvest care tasks and their impact on future plant growth.

  • Active Experimentation (AE): Engage students in post-harvest activities, such as composting plant residues and preparing the garden for the next planting cycle. Composting and saving seeds can be great post-harvest activities, and we should continue the gardening project and its sustainability. There are many principles for this; some activities require a lot of resources and materials, and others can be done with the hands and time of the students; you decide. Some ideas for composting in home gardens: https://extension.umn.edu/managing-soil-and-nutrients/composting-home-gardens. Seed Harvesting for Kids: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/children/seed-saving-with-children.htm

 

Materials Needed:

  • Harvesting tools (e.g., scissors, knives, baskets)

  • Visual aids (posters, images, videos)

  • Insect identification guides or apps (e.g., iNaturalist, PlantSnap) (to check plant health post-harvest).

  • Materials for post-harvest care (e.g., compost bins, mulch)

  • Sealed seed containers for the next planting cycle

  • Harvesting and Plant Care Journals

 

Reflection and Improvement:

Evaluate, Reflect, and Revise how was the lesson and the student's engagement in the harvest and post-harvest care. Consider including another lesson about seed recycling and other related topics that prepare the path for future planting cycles and securing sustainability aspects. Harvest is not the end of the cycle; some plants can be saved for next year to save time. For example, sweet pepper roots can survive winter inside and then replant in the spring.

 

Multimedia and Online Resources:

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