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The Curious Garden

Elementary

Description

In this whimsical tale a young boy transforms a dreary city from a lifeless concrete landscape to a bountiful green space by nurturing nature.  Liam's passion for gardening soon galvanizes other residents into helping him realize his dream of a city wide community garden.  This delightful story teaches young children that they can change their neighbourhoods by becoming responsible Earth stewards who encourage others to safeguard our natural world.

General Assessment

Recommendation of how and where to use it

This book provides a great starting point for classroom discussions about environmental stewardship and how students can act responsibly in caring for nature.  A classroom action project could have students working with local gardeners to transform an unsightly community space with native wildflower plantings that provide pollinator habitat.

Science, Social Studies and Health outcomes could be incorporated into a multi-faceted unit where students start vegetable seedlings to learn about plant growth.  During a field trip to a local community garden the seedlings could be planted and the class taught how to use seasonal local food to prepare healthy meals.

Relevant Curriculum Units

The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.

  • Step 1Select a province
  • Alberta
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Kindergarten
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Earth Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened through investigating natural systems and their interactions.
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Living Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened through investigating natural systems and their interactions.
    • Grade 2
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Living Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened through investigating natural systems and their interactions
  • British Columbia
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Kindergarten
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science: Daily and seasonal changes affect all living things.
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 1: Living things have features and behaviours that help them survive in their environment
    • Grade 2
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 2: Living things have life cycles adapted to their environment
  • Manitoba
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Kindergarten
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Trees
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Characteristics and Needs of Living Things
        • Daily and Seasonal Changes
  • New Brunswick
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Kindergarten
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Explore Your World: Well-Being
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Explore Your World: Diversity and Social Responsibility
        • Explore Your World: Well-Being
    • Grade 2
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Explore Your World: Diversity and Social Responsibility
        • Explore Your World: Well-Being
  • Newfoundland & Labrador
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Kindergarten
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Exploring Our World: Attitudes
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Needs and Characteristics of Living Things
  • Northwest Territories
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Earth and Space Systems: Daily and Seasonal Cycles
        • Life Systems: Characteristics and Needs of Living Things
  • Nova Scotia
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Kindergarten
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Primary Science: Living Things
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 1: Needs of Living Things
        • Science 1:Daily & Seasonal Change
  • Nunavut
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Earth and Space Systems: Daily and Seasonal Cycles
        • Life Systems: Characteristics and Needs of Living Things
  • Ontario
  • Prince Edward Island
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Kindergarten
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Exploring the World Using Our Senses
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Daily and Seasonal Changes
        • Needs and Characteristics of Living Things
  • Quebec
  • Saskatchewan
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Daily and Seasonal Changes
        • Needs & Characteristics of Living Things
  • Yukon Territory
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Kindergarten
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science: Daily and seasonal changes affect all living things.
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 1: Living things have features and behaviours that help them survive in their environment
    • Grade 2
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 2: Living things have life cycles adapted to their environment

Themes Addressed

Ecosystems (1)

  • Appreciating the Natural World

Food & Agriculture (1)

  • Local Food

Land Use & Natural Resources (1)

  • Planting Native Species