Garden Fresh Digital Cookbook

Objective: Students integrate technology, science, language arts, math, and art to create a digital cookbook.
1. Students prepare the raised bed gardens for planting. Students brainstorm and select garden theme; pizza, salad, herb, etc.. 4th grade students use math skills to measure, compare plant growth requirements, size, and estimate the number of rows to plant. Students create garden map. Younger students observe the movement of the sun for position of rows and plants by height and need. Students select plants based on their research.
2. Students plant garden with seeds and starter plants. Students are able to predict, observe and record the plant growth during science class. Students record their garden activities and reflections with Flip video and digital cameras. Student videos and photographs are routiney updated on school website.
3. In art class, students are introduced to photography techniques using Flip video and digital cameras. Students are provided instruction on the use of flip video with You-tube video insturction, Power Point presentation, and hands-on practice with and without a tripod. Students are also introduced to digital camera techniques such as angle, view, and composition with the interactive Smart Board and cameras. Students are instructed on the uploading of digital images and editing techniques.
4. Students take turns using Flip video and digital cameras to document the harvest and preparation of vegetables and herbs into salads, pesto, herb bread, and herb vinegar. Using a Rubric, students review and assess each team videos for use on school website. Videos and photographs are added to school website.
5. Students practice sequential writing to create recipes in their journals with illustrations.
6. 4th grade students work with partners to design and create a recipe Power Point slide using a Rubric. Each slide is to include a video, recipe, list of plants, and photographs. Students use interactive Smart Board to compile and create final collaborative Power Point cookbook.
7. The Garden Fresh Digital Cookbook is saved and distributed on a CD as well as uploaded to school website.