Elementary School Programs

Bullington Gardens offers hands-on programs complementing classroom instruction for grades K-5. The following is a list of programs offered for the 2011-12 school year with the NC Standard Course of Study goals for each.

In the Pumpkin Patch, K-2nd grade
Activities in the Bullington Gardens pumpkin patch will help children learn about plant growth and plant needs. We will also investigate natural signs of the fall season. September-October. 1 hr.
NCSCS Goals:
K Develop/use vocabulary associated w/properties of materials; color, size, shape, texture
1st Investigate the needs of different plants

Native vs. Exotic Plants, 3rd grade
Focusing on the stories of specific plants, we will distinguish between native and exotic plants. We’ll look into characteristics that make some exotic plants invasive and the impact invasives have on the environment. September – October & May (when trees have leaves). 2 hrs.
NCSCS Goal:
3rd Observe & describe how environmental conditions determine how well plants survive and grow in a particular environment

School Gardens, K-8th grade
Winter vegetables can be planted in the fall and again in February in your schoolyard garden, and will be ready to harvest within a few months. We can help you build new garden beds and provide seeds, plants and guidance for new or already established gardens. September-early October & February.
NCSCS Goals:
1st Investigate needs of different plants
3rd Observe/describe how environmental conditions determine how well plants survive & grow
3rd Investigate/describe how plants pass through distinct stages of life cycle
5th Discuss/determine role of light, temperature, soil composition in an ecosystem’s capacity to support life

Journey North, 3rd grade
Students will plant and observe tulip gardens in their schoolyard to track the arrival of spring. Comparing data with others around the Northern Hemisphere, students will better understand changing climate and the interaction of environment on plant growth. October-November.
NCSCS Goals:
Observe/describe how environmental conditions determine how well plants survive & grow
Investigate/describe how plants pass through distinct stages of life cycle
Determine the ability of soil to support the growth of many plants

Wildlife Interactions, 4th grade
Through a variety of active games and group activities, 4th graders will explore wildlife behaviors, habitats, predator-prey relationships and adaptations. September –May. 2 hrs.
NCSCS Goal:
Build an understanding of animal behavior and adaptation.

Plant Math, 5th grade
Students will use math to solve a number of hands-on problems, such as determining the weight of a giant pumpkin, graphing the growth of plants, determining the height of a tree and estimating the area of a leaf. A fun and practical way to learn math principles. September-November. 1 ½ hrs.
NCSCS Goals:
Use properties and relationships of plane figures
Use graphs and data analysis
Demonstrate understanding of patterns, relationships & elementary algebraic representations

Plant Explorations, K-3rd grade
The program theme for this year will be interactions between plants and insect. Activities will include a discovery walk on the Bullington nature trail, hands-on exploration of insects, their life cycles and relationships with plants, and planting flower seeds for Mother’s Day. March-April. 1 ½ hrs.
NCSCS Goals:
K Observe how animals interact with their surroundings
1st Discuss the wide variety of living things on earth
1st Investigate the needs of a variety of different animals
2nd Observe that insects need food, air & space to grow
2nd Observe the different stages of an insect life cycle
3rd Investigate and describe how plants pass through distinctive stages in their life cycle
3rd Observe and discuss how bees pollinate flowers

These programs are free to Henderson County Public Schools. Others are welcome to participate as space is availalble with a $3/child fee.