Themed Resources

The resources on this page are best for in-person field trips at the Conservatory. If you would like to use our materials with your class, please contact us (groups@garfieldpark.org) and we will help you out!

Our Themed Resources provide your self-guided field trip with the perfect balance between structure and exploration, learning and fun! No matter the age of your students, we’ve got just the thing to get them excited by and engaged with plants during your field trip. Explore our resources and choose what’s best for you.

cactus drawingAdaptations: Grades 1 – 8
Take your students on a fascinating journey through time as you explore how plants have adapted to different environments throughout the years! Investigate convergent evolution in the desert house, discover why carnivorous plants eat insects, and discuss the dynamic differences between plants! Include ‘Adaptations Experience’ when you sign up for a field trip to experience everything this trip offers, from a staff-led Orientation to a workbook to use in the plant collection.

seedling drawingIntroduction to Plants: Grades Pre-K – K
The Conservatory offers a wide range of roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and seeds for students to explore and touch. Unveil the magical world of botany with this introductory exploration of all things plant! This experience includes a tour students to explore sensory elements in a fun and safe environment. Include ‘Intro to Plants experience’ when you sign up for a field trip to experience everything this trip offers, from a staff-led orientation to a sensory tour to use in the plant collection.

Decomposition: Grades K – 8
The full life cycle of plants includes the decomposition phase, when plants turn back into soil with the help of some friendly worms and other insects. Want a hands-on field trip that lets your students experience decomposition and compost in real life? Check out our pre and post visit resources here on this site, and include ‘Decomposition Experience’ when you sign up for a field trip to experience everything this trip offers, from a staff-led orientation to a worksheet to use in the plant collection. Orientation available for 50 students max with at least 8 chaperones.

Not sure which resources are best for your students? Give us a call! We’re happy to walk you through our resources to help you find the ideal tool for your self-guided field trip.

This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services grant MA-10-17-0193.

Adaptations

Student Pre-Readings:
1st – 3rd Grade
4th – 8th Grade
Check out the Conservatory Reader: Amazing Adaptations! These pre-visit printable readings are designed for two reading levels. They introduce the Conservatory, some vocabulary, and the science of plant adaptations, plus they include discussion questions for use in small groups.

Overview
This is a quick and easy way to engage your students during the field trip, sound like an expert in our collection, and show your principal the standards you’re meeting, all in one document!
NGSS K-LS1-1, 2-LS4-1, 3-LS3-2, 3-LS4-2 & 3, 4-LS1-1, 5-LS1-1

Adaptations Scavenger Hunt
Engage your youngest students in a conversation on adaptations with this scaled down scavenger hunt featuring 6 of our favorite and most distinct plant adaptations. Copies are available for use at the Conservatory.
NGSS K-LS1-1

Digital Tour: Amazing Adaptations
Use this new digital tour on VAMONDE to learn about how plants grow! This virtual field trip is great for families of all ages. Check out our Digital Tours page to learn more about using VAMONDE.

Additional Information
The Adaptations Experience includes a staff-led orientation that introduces students to plant phenomena and helps them discover and learn for themselves about plant adaptations. We also offer a hands-on, 60 minute long engineering workshop about adaptations, currently only available for schools in our West Side School Partnership Program.

Intro to Plants

Student Pre-Readings:
1. Pre-K Read Aloud Level
2. Kindergarden Read Aloud Level
Check out the Conservatory Reader: Intro to Plants! These pre-visit printable readings are designed for two reading levels, read aloud. They introduce the Conservatory, some vocabulary, and information on plant parts, plus they include discussion questions for use by a teacher.

Overview
This is a quick and easy way to engage your students during the field trip, sound like an expert in our collection, and show your principal the standards you’re meeting, all in one document!
NGSS K-LS1-1, 1-LS1-1 & 2, 4-LS1-1, 5-LS1-1

Themed Resource Guidebook
Want to know all about it? Interested in shaping a unit around your field trip to the Conservatory? Then this resource is right up your alley. Scope it out online ahead of time and then use our hard copies during your visit. We have enough for each chaperone to use!
NGSS K-LS1-1, 1-LS1-1 & 2

Intro to Plants Scavenger Hunt
Engage your youngest students in a conversation on basic plant parts and plant part functions with this scaled down scavenger hunt featuring 6 plants in our collection!
NGSS K-LS1-1

Additional Information
The Intro to Plants Experience includes a staff-led orientation that introduces students to parts of the plant and helps them discover and learn for themselves about plants. We also offer a hands-on, 30 minute long sensory based workshop about plant parts, currently only available for schools in our West Side School Partnership Program.

Decomposers

Student Pre-Readings:
1st – 3rd Grade
4th – 8th Grade
Check out the Conservatory Reader: We’re Digging Decomposers! These pre-visit printable readings are designed for two reading levels. They introduce the Conservatory, some vocabulary, and the science of compost, plus they include discussion questions for use in small groups.

Activity Sheet
1st – 3rd Grade
4th – 8th Grade

Bring these worksheets with you during your field trip, and your students will get to do some real life science while in the Conservatory’s outdoor plant collection. This worksheet is available at the Conservatory for all school groups that sign up for the Decomposition Experience, but can also be used by youth groups and families.

Additional Information
The Decomposition Experience includes a staff-led orientation that lets students dig into some worm bin compost and meet some new insect friends! Staff facilitate a learning experience that lets students discover and learn for themselves about the plant life cycle and compost. We also offer a hands-on, 30 minute long in-depth workshop about decomposers, currently only available for schools in our West Side School Partnership Program.