Register with GEF for FREE to enjoy these great benefits! 

    • member only contests and raffles

    • sustainability program news and updates

    • significant discounts at GEF Institute

Note: If you have problems registering, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

JOIN GEF NOW!

Taking a GEF Institute Course? Login by clicking here.

 

 

 

 

 

Join Us

Sign Up for National Green Week!
Please note: Your privacy is very important to GEF. We do not share or sell any of your data.  It is with the sole purpose of providing you with relevant information that GEF will contact you.
Login/SignUp

Welcome to the Sustainability Lesson Clearinghouse

Here, you can find free sustainability lessons to use in your class and upload your own lessons to share. Be sure to rate the lessons you use and leave comments for your colleagues!

All of GEF's lessons and programs are offered at no cost.  Become a member to support GEF and enjoy member only benefits! 
Join button_03

Professional Development

GEFinstitute LOGO_WEB GEF Institute offers affordable, online sustainability courses eligible for professional development or academic credit.
Give your resume a boost!

Sponsor a Teacher

Support educators in your community by helping them earn a Certificate in Sustainability or take an online course. Find out more about sponsorship!
Sustainability Lesson Clearinghouse

Make Your Own Garden Signs

Lesson Description:
Elementary students will make garden signs. Gardeners often label the plants they grow by using garden signs. Garden signs not only provide information about the vegetables and fruits growing in a garden, but can also be colorful and decorative. Making garden signs can be a fun activity to learn about vegetables and to add beauty to a garden.

Eco-fact: Nutritionists recommend that you eat five servings of fruit or vegetables a day. A serving equals one-half cup.

Procedure:
Before making the garden signs:
  • Create a class list of different vegetables that can be grown in the garden. try to include at least one vegetable for each letter of the alphabet.
  • Next, students will develop a list of adjectives to describe each vegetable on the class list. try to have students come up with at least one adjective that begins with the same letter of the alphabet as the vegetable they are describing (such as “awesome asparagus” or “bodacious broccoli”).

Making the garden signs:
Option 1:
  • Have each student select two vegetables from the list. these will be the vegetables for their garden signs.
  • Next, cut 2 by 4 inch rectangles out of corrugated cardboard and push a small stick into each one.
  • Mix 1 part white glue with 1 part water in a plastic dish. dip tiny strips of white paper into the mixture and paste them all over the sign. Students write the names of the vegetable along with an adjective starting with the same letter to describe the vegetable. Have students to decorate their signs using markers. Glue on the pictures of the vegetable as well.
  • Waterproof the signs with clear tape, then stake them in the garden.

Option 2:
  • Students can clean and dry large rock.
  • Students can paint name and add illustration to rock.
  • Let rock dry and place in garden.

Adaptations:
  • Students can make larger garden signs. with larger garden signs, students can list facts and statistics about the vegetable.
  • Students can make garden signs using wood and poster boards. These garden signs will be stronger, and will be able to withstand wind and rain. In addition, students can add creative designs and colors to their signs.

Lesson Type:
  • Project

Sustainability Topic:
  • Gardening

GEF Program Category:
  • Green Thumb Challenge

Time Needed:
One hour
Materials Needed:
  • garden catalogs or seed packets
  • markers
  • cardboard
  • small sticks
  • white paper
  • glue
  • clear packing tape
  • large rock
  • poster paint
  • paint brushes

School or Group:
GEF
Contact Email:
service@greeneducationfoundation.org

The Sustainability Lesson Clearinghouse is brought to you in partnership with

Center for Green Schools