Growing a Pollinator Garden

Activity - Classroom

Grades2, 3, 4, 5Biology, Mathematics

Scientist Reviewed

Provided by National Wildlife Federation

Open Resource

What it is

This engaging activity from National Wildlife Federation guides students through the process of growing a pollinator garden.
The guide thoroughly explains how to set up a pollinator garden, monitor it, and collect data on its success.

Teaching tips

Positives

Students will benefit from having an understanding of the importance of pollinators.
This engaging, easy-to-follow activity is suitable to be used as a classroom activity or at-home project.
The activity incorporates opportunities to embed science, civics, and mathematics skills and understanding easily over the course of the school year.

Prerequisites

If students are completing the activity at home, measurement and data collection skills will be necessary.
Coir pellets, seeds, and appropriate growing containers are necessary for this activity.

Differentiation & Implementation

Elementary science classes can use this activity alongside the picture books Bee and Me and Old Enough to Save the Planet.
This activity can be used as part of the action plan after completing StC's Green Spaces Unit.
Mathematics and science classes can use this activity to thoroughly embed data collection and measurement skills throughout the year.
Older elementary mathematics classes can use the collected data to create line and plot graphs.
Schools or classes wishing to further engage in school gardening could use the resource Resources for Building a School Garden.

From the scientist review

The resource is a pollinator guide. It contains step-by-step activities to enable students to know the benefits of pollinators in plant reproduction and growth. This is recommended for teaching.

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At a glance

Grades: 2, 3, 4, 5
Subjects: Biology, Mathematics
Other types: Worksheets, Activity - Outdoors
Format: PDF
Language: English
Location: Earth
Provider: National Wildlife Federation
Authors: National Wildlife Federation
Published: April 27, 2021
Last updated: July 16, 2026
: Reviewed by our climate scientists How we review

Standards alignment · D4.7.K-2 + 12 more

Core

College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Standards

D4.7.K-2Identify ways to take action to help address local, regional, and global problems.
D4.7.3-5Explain different strategies and approaches students and others could take in working alone and together to address local, regional, and global problems, and predict possible results of their actions.

New Jersey Climate Education Hub

Mathematics

2.M.A.1Measure the length of an object by selecting and using appropriate tools such as rulers, yardsticks, meter sticks, and measuring tapes.
2.M.A.2Measure the length of an object twice, using length units of different lengths for the two measurements; describe how the two measurements relate to the size of the unit chosen.
2.M.A.3Estimate lengths using units of inches, feet, centimeters, and meters.
2.M.A.4Measure to determine how much longer one object is than another, expressing the length difference in terms of a standard length unit.
2.DL.B.3Generate measurement data by measuring lengths of several objects to the nearest whole unit, or by making repeated measurements of the same object. Show the measurements by making a line plot, where the horizontal scale is marked off in whole-number units.

Science

K-ESS3-1.Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants or animals (including humans) and the places they live.
2-LS2-1.Plan and conduct an investigation to determine if plants need sunlight and water to grow.
2-LS2-2.Develop a simple model that mimics the function of an animal in dispersing seeds or pollinating plants.
5-LS2-1.Develop a model to describe the movement of matter among plants, animals, decomposers, and the environment.
5-ESS3-1.Obtain and combine information about ways individual communities use science ideas to protect the Earth’s resources and environment.
MS-LS2-1.Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence for the effects of resource availability on organisms and populations of organisms in an ecosystem.

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