The Great Garden
Detective Adventure
A Standards-Based Gardening Nutrition Curriculum for Grades 3 and 4
U N I T E D S TAT ES D E PA R T M E N T O F AG R I C U LT U R E
|
FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICE
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Mention of a trade name or brand name does not constitute endorsement or recommendation by USDA over
similar products not named.
FNS-450
January 2013
Acknowledgments
Acknowledgments
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) recognizes the
following persons for providing technical expertise and guidance in the development of The Great Garden
Detective Adventure curriculum.
Team Nutrition Garden Reviewers
Project Team Members
John Fisher
Life Lab Science Program
University of California, Santa Cruz
Anna Arrowsmith, R.D.
Heidi Bishop, B.S.
Erika Pijai, M.S., R.D.
Child Nutrition Division
USDA Food and Nutrition Service
Eliza Fournier, M.P.A.
Chicago Botanic Garden
Contractor for Curriculum Development
Christine Hadekel, M.P.A.
Cornell University
Gloria Stables, Ph.D., R.D.
Donna Lloyd-Kolkin, Ph.D.
Joy Anne Osterhout, M.S., M.C.H.E.S.
Catalyst Health Concepts
Potomac, MD
Teri Hamlin, Ph.D.
Georgia Department of Education
Division of Agriculture Education
Yael Lehmann, M.S.W.
The Food Trust
Subcontractors
Michael C. Metallo
National Gardening Association
Phyllis Whitin, Ph.D.
David Whitin, Ph.D.
Wayne State University
Detroit, MI
Jon Traunfeld, M.S.
University of Maryland
Bill Wright
University of Wisconsin Extension-Brown County
Susan Giarratano Russell, Ed.D., CHES
Jill English, Ph.D., CHES
R 2E2—Russell & English Research & Evaluation
Valencia, CA
Project Officer
Alicia H. White, M.S., R.D.
Child Nutrition Division
USDA Food and Nutrition Service
Curriculum Pilot Schools
Licking Heights South Elementary School
Pataskala, OH
W.A. Metcalfe Elementary School
Gainesville, FL
Willow Creek Elementary School
Nampa, ID
Available at: http://www.teamnutrition.usda.gov
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The Great Garden Detective Adventure
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments...........................................................................................................................................................i
Welcome
Getting Started with The Great Garden Detective Adventure........................................................1
Welcome to The Great Garden Detective Adventure..................................................................................................3
Getting Started................................................................................................................................................................4
Curriculum Tools............................................................................................................................................................9
Tips for Success................................................................................................................................................................10
References.........................................................................................................................................................................18
Lesson 1
Use Your Five Senses................................................................................................................................................ 19
Lesson Summary.............................................................................................................................................................20
Main Lesson: Use Your Five Senses..............................................................................................................................21
Teacher Background Information.................................................................................................................................27
Garden Detective News..................................................................................................................................................37
Lesson Extension: How Plants Grow............................................................................................................................41
Lesson 2
Dig for Dirt..................................................................................................................................................................... 43
Lesson Summary.............................................................................................................................................................44
Main Lesson: Dig for Dirt..............................................................................................................................................46
Teacher Background Information.................................................................................................................................51
Garden Detective News..................................................................................................................................................55
Lesson Extension: Weather Station...............................................................................................................................59
Lesson Extension: Conditions for Germination..........................................................................................................61
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The Great Garden Detective Adventure
Lesson 3
Investigate Like a Super Sleuth............................................................................................................................. 65
Lesson Summary.............................................................................................................................................................66
Main Lesson: Investigate Like a Super Sleuth..............................................................................................................67
Teacher Background Information.................................................................................................................................69
Garden Detective News..................................................................................................................................................79
Lesson Extension: Learn More About PSAs................................................................................................................83
Lesson 4
Decipher the Secret Vegetable Code.................................................................................................................. 85
Lesson Summary.............................................................................................................................................................86
Main Lesson: Decipher the Secret Vegetable Code.....................................................................................................87
Teacher Background Information.................................................................................................................................92
Garden Detective News..................................................................................................................................................97
Lesson Extension: Play a Leading Role.........................................................................................................................101
Lesson 5
Trace the Fruit and Vegetable Trail....................................................................................................................... 105
Lesson Summary.............................................................................................................................................................106
Main Lesson: Trace the Fruit and Vegetable Trail......................................................................................................107
Teacher Background Information.................................................................................................................................109
Garden Detective News..................................................................................................................................................119
Lesson Extension: Investigate Sources of Fresh Fruits
and Vegetables..................................................................................................................................................................123
Lesson Extension: Visit the Farmers Market...............................................................................................................125
Lesson 6
Unravel Clues in the Cafeteria................................................................................................................................ 127
Lesson Summary.............................................................................................................................................................128
Main Lesson: Unravel Clues in the Cafeteria..............................................................................................................129
Teacher Background Information.................................................................................................................................134
Garden Detective News..................................................................................................................................................139
Lesson Extension: Analyze the Clues...........................................................................................................................143
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Table of Contents
Lesson Extension: Discover What’s in the Food We Eat............................................................................................145
Lesson 7
Reveal Family Recipe Favorites............................................................................................................................. 151
Lesson Summary.............................................................................................................................................................152
Main Lesson: Reveal Family Recipe Favorites.............................................................................................................154
Teacher Background Information.................................................................................................................................156
Garden Detective News..................................................................................................................................................157
Lesson Extension: Crack the Cookbook Caper...........................................................................................................161
Lesson 8
Uncover Tasty Crimes............................................................................................................................................... 165
Lesson Summary.............................................................................................................................................................166
Main Lesson: Uncover Tasty Crimes ...........................................................................................................................168
Crime #1: The Case of the Scrambled Recipe...............................................................................................................169
Crime #2: The Case of the Recipe Thief........................................................................................................................172
Crime #3: The Case of the Incredible Shrinking Ingredient......................................................................................175
Teacher Background Information.................................................................................................................................177
Garden Detective News..................................................................................................................................................185
Lesson Extension: An Acrostic Poem...........................................................................................................................189
Lesson 9
Explore a Flavor Mystery.......................................................................................................................................... 191
Lesson Summary.............................................................................................................................................................192
Main Lesson: Explore a Flavor Mystery.......................................................................................................................194
Mystery #1: The Mystery of the Tender Tastebuds......................................................................................................195
Mystery #2: The Mystery of the CSA Basket................................................................................................................198
Teacher Background Information.................................................................................................................................201
Garden Detective News..................................................................................................................................................207
Lesson Extension: A Shape Poem..................................................................................................................................211
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The Great Garden Detective Adventure
Lesson 1o
Discover Berry Sweet Evidence............................................................................................................................ 213
Lesson Summary.............................................................................................................................................................214
Main Lesson: Discover Berry Sweet Evidence ............................................................................................................216
Evidence File #1: The Case of the Frozen Fruit............................................................................................................217
Evidence File #2: The Case of the Missing Color.........................................................................................................220
Teacher Background Information.................................................................................................................................223
Garden Detective News..................................................................................................................................................229
Lesson 11
Celebrate the Sleuths’ Mystery Dinner............................................................................................................... 233
Lesson Summary.............................................................................................................................................................234
Main Lesson: Celebrate the Sleuths’ Mystery Dinner.................................................................................................235
Appendices
Appendices A Through D......................................................................................................................................... 239
Appendix A. Social Cognitive Theory Elements.........................................................................................................241
Appendix B. Curriculum Standards by Lesson...........................................................................................................246
Appendix C. Gardening Resources...............................................................................................................................255
Appendix D. Curriculum Tools.....................................................................................................................................262
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