You can up your parenting game and take learning in the garden to a whole new level when you think “outside the classroom.” Meaning, academics can (and should) be taught beyond the walls of the traditional classroom. As a parent, I believe it is my job to provide these opportunities for my children to interact with the world in a meaningful way. Gardening with kids is the perfect time to make these common core connections. Of course, this activity would be great for classroom gardens or homeschooling as well! It doesn’t matter how you do it, just that you do it! Come #plantaseed with us!
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Math in the Garden: Measurement
There are so many wonderful ways to use math in the garden. This week, we are planting some warm season vegetables and have been using our measuring skills with a ruler.
Measurement in the Garden Activities for Kids
We
- went over what a ruler was,
- how it is used and
- what the numbers on it mean.
Then, we read the seed packed label.
Most beans need a lot of space in between rows for proper air circulation. In the past, I’ve tried to put them too close together and my crop has suffered. Although it may look like a lot of space, they do need 20 inches in between rows.
Do you see all these fantastic numbers on the seed packet??? YES!!! This is MATH!
We used a ruler to first measure how deep 1 1/2 inches looks like. Then, we found out that half of our thumb is “about” this measurement. Hey, we just added estimation into this measurement lesson too.
Starting at the very beginning of the line, we counted 4 inches, then put a bean seed 1 1/2 inches down. Then, we moved the ruler, lining the just planted seed with the 0 and counted again to 4. Hey, we just added counting to this measurement lesson too for our preschooler.
We then repeated the pattern over and over again until we ran out of space.
1.2.3.4 inches, plant a bean, move the ruler.
1.2.3.4 inches, plant a bean, move the ruler.
1.2.3.4 inches, plant a bean, move the ruler.
Hey, we just added patterns to this measurement lesson too!
After our first row was completed, the kids measured how far 20 inches was and we made another row for our next beans.
Mental Math Challenge
I asked my 2nd grader to measure the length of the garden bed and tell me (before planting) how many beans would fit in this row. Our bed is 6 feet long, so she needed to convert it to inches (which is a 5th grade common core standard) then divide the inches by 4 to come up with an answer.
So what do common core standards for measurement look like?
Kindergartners should be able to describe and compare measurable attributes (such as weight or length) CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.MD.A.1
Second graders should be able to measure the length of an object by choosing and using the correct tools (such as a ruler) CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.2.MD.A.1
Fifth graders should be able to convert measurements (ie, 7cm to .07m) and use these conversions in real world problems. CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.5.MD.A.1
For more Kids in the Garden Activities, we recommend:
The Garden Classroom, a practical guide for using the garden as a teaching tool. Full of helpful tips and tricks for gardening with kids as well as easy to implement activities that tie in academics to the garden.
This book is great for teachers looking to incorporate school gardening into their lesson plans as well as parents who are hoping to enrich their child’s learning after school!
And these articles here at The Educators’ Spin On It:
How would you incorporate math into your garden activities?
The breakout of common core standards for measurements for grade levels is SUPER helpful! What a great post. My sons are LOVING watching our seeds sprout. I can't wait until they're in the ground!