Educational Resources
Contained within the links below are the educational resources we have developed to help teach the youth of today. In developing these "Curriculum Connections", we hoped to create a resource educators could use to engage their students with new and exciting content. Please be aware that all of the content on this page is provided free of charge and can be used by anyone.
We have developed in depth materials that can be used for the following ages and grades:
Grade 1 (For Children 6 Years Old)
Grade 1 is such an exciting year for young students, especially with its emphasis on the local environment, learning about the methods associated with scientific analysis, and applying skills and knowledge to students' personal experiences. Trying to understand how things work in their local area is a natural pathway for students. Creating a sense of excitement related to inquiry and exploration is the key to getting young minds in tune with the environment, its characteristics, needs and issues.
Depending upon their background, students will bring a variety of personal and cultural experiences to the classroom; drawing on students' prior knowledge and encouraging engagement both inside and outside the classroom is a key step to a fuller understanding of science and technology and their roles in our lives.
The natural environment of the school and the community is the perfect launching pad for learning through hands-on experiences.
Grade 3 (For Children 8 Years Old)
The science curriculum in grade three offers opportunities to study plants – the area of soil in the environment and the area of growth and changes in plants. The focus for this unit on flowers and potted plants will incorporate the “big ideas" from the Growth and Changes in Plants unit, but reference will also be made to the study of plants as they relate to soils. This unit will examine the nature of plants and the importance of plants as sources of oxygen, food, and shelter, and the need for humans to protect plants and their habitats.
Grade 5 (For Children 10 Years Old)
In grades five and six, students learn about the elements of structures and how external forces affect these structures. In addition, teachers are also encouraged to have students analyse the social and environmental impacts of forces that act on these structures.
This series of lessons deals with greenhouses as structures and projects student knowledge and understanding about greenhouses to the development of similar structures in different locations on Earth … and … on the surface of an interplanetary body – Mars.
A practical exercise – building a garden – has also been included for your reference; although it is not tied directly to the grade 5 curriculum expectations, this is an exercise that could have school wide implications.
Grade 6 (For Children 11 Years Old)
In grade six, students learn about the technological advances related to the study, discovery and travel in places outside of the Earth's surface – on space vehicles and the International Space Station; in addition, there is always the possibility for habitation on other planetary surfaces with Mars being the most obvious. This is a fascinating unit of study for most students, as they seem to be inherently interested in everything “space oriented". Specifically, teachers will investigate with their students the technological advances that allow humans to adapt to life in space, with specific emphasis on the development of greenhouses on the surface of Mars.
Teachers need to ensure that classroom learning across all grades and subjects provides ample opportunity for students to learn how to work, cooperate with others, resolve conflicts, participate in class, solve problems, and set goals to improve their work. The science and technology program can also offer opportunities for a variety of career exploration activities, including contacts with career mentors and visits from guest speakers whose occupations make use of scientific and technological knowledge and skills. This topic is examined in Lesson #4 – Careers in the Greenhouse Industry.
Additional Resources for Children of any Age or Grade
***NEW*** 3D Virtual Tour
Have you always wanted to visit a commercial greenhouse? Well now you can! Using newly created 3D technology we have created a virtual tour of a greenhouse in Southern Ontario. Navigate through dozens of different areas as you explore this visually stunning world. The entire tour can be accessed through the link below:
As an added bonus, you can contact us by e-mail at dejan@fco.ca and we will send you a free "Google Cardboard" Virtual Reality headset that can be paired with your smart phone to create an immersive 3D walk-through. This offer is valid only until March 31, 2017 or while quantities last.
Virtual Greenhouse Tour
Experience our stunning visual tour through Ontario's horticultural industry. It is available in two different formats (PowerPoint and Keynote) and comes complete with accompanying Teacher/Presenter notes.
- Virtual Tour - PowerPoint Format (299 MB)
- Virtual Tour - Keynote Format Parts 1-3 (209 MB)
- Virtual Tour - Keynote Format Parts 4-6 (243 MB)
Fun with Flowers
Flowers come in thousands of different colours, shapes, sizes and varieties. We have created a slide show with photos showcasing some of the more fun and interesting variations ever grown. From flowers that look like monkey's to flowers that look like ballerina's, you will be amazed with how complex some flowers can grow to be! The slideshow is available in PowerPoint, PDF, or Keynote.
Did You Know?
This document provides a list of several dozen interesting informational tidbits about the floriculture industry in Ontario. Present the document as a whole or sprinkle the content throughout the other lessons, the choice is yours!
Feedback
If you would like to contact us with any questions or comments, or would just to let us know you will be using the content we have provided, you can reach us below:
Dejan Kristan
dejan@fco.ca
1-800-698-0113 X224
