Our Learning Garden - Grade 3-Unit 2 Lesson 1-4
Going Green with Green Lentils
• Lesson Summary- This unit connects children to seeds (green
lentils) as they learn about germinating, harvesting, preparing and
sharing food. Students explore the anatomy and physiology of
seeds in a dynamic PowerPoint presentation that includes many
hands on activities. We explore where green lentils are grown and
do mapping exercises.
• Students use required Math skills in the farmer activitycalculating out how many seeds to plant based on germination.
The unit culminates with the class creating “The Great Lentil
Recipe Book”
• Our goal is to meet many curriculum outcomes as we introduce
the students to a Green Lentils (SUPER FOOD) that is incredibly
nutritious
• All lesson plans and related files for download ourlearninggarden.ca
The files are open so feel to change content to class requirements.
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On Line Links to lesson-"Going Green with Green Lentils”
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Specific Curriculum Outcomes
Science- Cluster 1-Growth and Change in Plants 3-1-01 Use appropriate vocabulary related to their Investigations of growth and
changes in plants 3-1-03 Show respect for plants as living things
Math - 3.SP.1, 3.SP.2 3.N.1- 3.N.13.
Social Studies Cluster 2- Exploring the World - mapping (maps, aerial photographs and satellite images) mapping (equator, hemispheres,
continents, oceans) human rights (housing, education, security, food, water...)
English Language Arts 1.1 - Discover and Explore 1.2 - Clarify and Extend
General Outcome 3 - Students will listen, speak, read, write, view, and represent to manage ideas and information.
Health Education 5. Healthy Lifestyle Practices the student will demonstrate the ability to make informed decisions for healthy living
related to, healthy nutritional practices.
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Key Learning Outcomes
define concept of a seed as a living entity that can be dormant or germinating
identify the parts of a seed
understand the concept of germination rates for planting a garden
learn how to safely germinate/ sprout beans for consumption and or planting in a garden
understand concept of mapping to identify relationships
describe the relationship between food security and gardening
understanding concept of sustainability and food security
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Key Concepts / Vocabulary
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dormant
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germinate
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imbibe
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seed coat
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root
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sprout
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nutritious
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rinse
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vitamin
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minerals
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protein
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bar graph
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food security
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perishable / non-perishable
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cycle
Overview of Activities in this Unit
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Sprout Lentils
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Taste Lentils teacher adds lentils in dry soup mix for students to experience *
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Calculate the rate of germination so that you understand how many seeds to plant on your farm
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Make a bar graph
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Read a map on lentil production in Saskatchewan
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Take home lentils to sprout for a class recipe book*
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*Optional
Further References and Resources
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About Planting, Poverty and Food Security
http://guidesontario.org/images/pdf/girl_program_resources/seeds%20for%20change%20resource%20final.pdf
A Year of School Food Garden Activities
http://lifecyclesproject.ca/resources/downloads/Patterns-Seasons.pdf
Morning Earth has interesting cross curriculum activities using art
http://www.morning-earth.org/Teacher_Resources.html
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Grade 3 Kit Contents
• dry green lentils (available at most
supermarkets), bowl, colander and water.
Wash /rinse the lentils then soak them in
water around 6-10 hours.
• Some small ziplocs for students to take seeds
home, print off the instructions and recipe
log book for students - ourlearninggarden.ca
• Letting the students taste spouted lentils that
are added into a soup. Dry soup mix works
great is a good introduction for the recipe
book activity
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Going Green with Green Lentils
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Our Learning Garden - Grade 3 Lesson 1
Going Green with Green Lentils
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Dormancy – The Sleeping Seeds
Waking Up the Seed
Are Seeds Alive
Life Cycles
Seeds Anatomy
Sprouting (Safe Sprouting)
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Wake up that dormant (sleeping) seed.
Do seeds
dream?
Cierra, stop dreaming, you
have a lesson to teach
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• Seeds are called dormant when they are not
growing. Dormant is like sleeping, the seed
uses very little energy when it is dormant.
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When the seeds wakes up it germinates.
Germination is when a seed starts to grow.
• Seeds start to germinate (wake up) from water
or Sunlight
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The heat from the sun can wake up dormant seeds
The sun heats
up the earth.
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Inside the Seed
becomes the plant
Is the food for the plant
A seed has its own food supply that it uses called the
endosperm
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• When the seed germinates or sprouts the food supply changes
so that it is healthier for us to eat
• The endosperm (food supply) is largest part of the seed
• The seed uses this food to help it grow when it is very small
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Are seeds alive?
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Sleep (dormant)
Dream about ………?
Wake up (germinate)
Grow when planted
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Short Life Cycle
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Long Life Cycle
Strawberry plants can live for many years. The runners are a strawberry
community that can live as long as 50 years!
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Safe Sprouting Practices
• Soaking: Turning a dormant seed into a nutritional
powerhouse. Soak in water 6-10 hours. Remove and drain
• Draining: It is essential that sprouts be drained thoroughly
after rinsing. Use a strainer.
• Rinsing: Try to rinse 2 or 3 times a day.
• Air Circulation: If your sprouts can’t breathe while growing
they can die. Don’t put them in a closed container.
• 48 hours or less your sprouts will be ready to eat
• Cleanliness: Your seed should be clean and your sprouting
device should be clean.. Storage: Properly stored, fresh
sprouts will keep for up to 1 weeks in your refrigerator but
fresher is better. Never refrigerate wet sprouts.
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Lets add water to some green lentils and germinate the
seeds. Leave the seeds in water for around 6-10 hours
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• The lentils grow bigger as
they imbibe (drink) the water
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Keep the lentils in water for 6-10 hours.
What happens when the lentils are in the water?
IMBIBE or drink the water
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Arts & English Assignment
• Explain in language and drawings why seeds are alive.
“I wake up when water is splashed on me……………..”
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Our Learning Garden - Lesson 2
Going Green with Green Lentils
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Germination / Sprouting Exercises
Learning about Sprouted Green Lentils
Bar Graphs and Math
Why do farmers need to know the
germination rate?
• Activity-Pretend you are a farmer planting a
crop.
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After, soaking the seeds, let’s drain and
rinse the green lentils
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Rinse and wash
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Let’s rinse them a few times each day
and see what happens
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We call the seeds sprouted when the root emerges.
When the seed germinates or sprouts the seed changes so that it is
healthier for us to eat
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How many seed have sprouted?
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Lets count the beans
• How many lentils have sprouted?
Observe what a sprouted lentil looks like. You can see the root emerging.
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• How many did not sprout?
If no root or sprout emerged (came out),the seed did not
germinate (grow).
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Sprouting is also called germination
• Farmers always test their seeds
before planting.
• Gardeners / Farmers need to know
the germination rate
• How many seeds will grow
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Gardener Yossi needs to grow 10 corn plants
How many seed will germinate (grow)?
If Yossi wants 10 corn plants but only 1 out of 2 (1/2) seeds germinate.
How many corn seeds would Yossi need to plant in the garden?
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Bar Graph
12
10
8
Seeds
6
Germinated
Did Not Germinate
4
2
0
SEEDS
GERMINATION
DID NOT GERMINATE
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Total seeds 10
Number that germinate 5
Number that do not germinate
Plants you will get 5
Can you make a germination bar graph ?
25
20
15
Seeds
10
Germinated Seeds
5
0
Seeds
Germinated
Seeds
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25
20
15
Seeds
10
Germinated Seeds
5
0
Seeds
Germinated
Seeds
How many seeds are there?
How many seeds germinated?
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ACTIVITY you are a farmer and need
1000 corn plants.
• You need to have 1000 stalks of
corn growing
• But only ½ or 1 out of 2 corn
seeds germinates or grows.
• How many seeds of corn do you
need to plant to get 1000 stalks of
corn
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2500
2000
1500
Total Corn Seeds
Germinated Seeds
1000
500
0
Seeds Germinated
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On the farm
• Your farm has 4 acres of land and you need to get 400 stalks of corn.
• How many seeds do you need to plant if the germination rate is 1 out of 2
seeds (1/2) or 50%?
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Lesson 3
• Understanding why sprouted green lentils are
healthy
• Student Journal Activity and Project
• “The Great Sprouted Lentil Cookbook”
• “My Great Sprouted Lentil Recipe Log”
• Taste Lentils teacher prepares lentils in dry
soup mix for students to experience *
• *OPTIONAL
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Let’s eat some
sprouted green
lentils
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When a seeds sprouts or germinates, the seed usually
changes such that is much more nutritious and healthy.
It is easier for your body to get the vitamins and
minerals from the sprouted seed.
Increased
Bioavailability
Green lentil sprouts
contain Vitamins A, B, C
and E as well as Calcium,
Iron ,Magnesium and
Protein: 14%
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Sprouted Green Lentils
• This food is very low in
Saturated Fat,
Cholesterol and Sodium.
It is also a good source of
Thiamin, Iron,
Phosphorus and Copper
Vitamin C, Folate and
Manganese.
• Are sprouted green
lentils healthy?
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Sprouted Green Lentils
Healthy
Tasty
Easy to make
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Will you get to try some sprouted lentils in chicken soup?
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Great Sprouted Lentil Recipe Cookbook
Experiment with your sprouted lentils at home.
Make certain your entire family is involved in creating the
recipe.
Get all your friends and family to taste it.
Write down the recipe to share with your class.
Then your class can combine all the recipes to make the
Instructions: Soak lentils in water for 10‐12 hours, then drain.
Rinse seeds 2 to 3 times a day until sprouted (2‐3) days).
Sprouted lentils can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days.
Sprouted green lentils contain vitamins A, B, C and E as
well as Calcium, Iron and Magnesium. Protein: 14%
They are very healthy. Great in soup and salads
Download the handouts and student recipe book at our learninggarden.ca
Soak in water for 6-10 hours, then
drain. Rinse seeds 2 to 3 times a
day until sprouted (2-3)
days). Once sprouted they can
be stored in the refrigerator.
Green lentil sprouts contain
vitamins A, B, C and E as well as
Calcium, Iron and
Magnesium. Protein: 14%
Download the handouts and student recipe book at our learninggarden.ca
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• Every class that submits a lentil recipe book
will get more lentils for each student to take
home
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See the web site for more information
Recipe Ideas
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Recipe Ideas
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Lesson 4
• In the Garden
• Planting Lentils in the spring
• Food Security
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Sprout
some lentils
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Sprouted lentils will
usually grow when
planted in the
garden
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Record how many seeds you plant.
Observe how many grow into plants
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When you harvest your lentil plant;
count how many lentils you harvest.
How many seeds did you plant?
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Seeds Harvested – Seeds Planted =Yield
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Your garden is a healthy fun way to provide your family
and community with food.
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Growing your own food does not cost very much
money. So it has economic benefits.
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$$$$$
Why is growing your own food good for the
environment ?
See the next 5 slides to
promote discussion
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Can you write a short story on a carrot travelling
from a farm in California to your kitchen table
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