TurfMutt Lesson Plan: Love Your Living Landscape

Did you know the TurfMutt Foundation has a library of STEM-based lesson plans for kids in grades K-8? The educational resources are free and available to parents, guardians and teachers. The lessons use the hands-on “laboratory” of the green space around us – in school yards, parks and backyards – to help students learn how to become environmental superheroes like TurfMutt.

The lesson “Love Your Living Landscape” is targeted to kids in grades K-2. Through an imaginary walk around their community, the students name the parts of their neighborhood that are living (trees, grass, etc.) vs. non-living (paved roads, artificial turf, etc.). The students then discuss the many benefits of the plant-filled areas, including everything from oxygen production to carbon sequestration.

The students then go on a real-life living landscape exploration nearby. Armed with curiosity, paper and crayons, the students draw the types of plants and animals they observe. They are also encouraged to think critically about the many ways living landscapes benefit their community.

Download the Love Your Living Landscape lesson plan here. Or see all the TurfMutt educational activities here.

For more on the TurfMutt Foundation, visit TurfMutt.com and check out the TurfMutt Foundation’s International Backyarding Fact Book to learn more about the importance of the green spaces around us.

Sign up for Mutt Mail, a monthly e-newsletter with backyarding tips and all the news from the TurfMutt Foundation here. Look for Mulligan the TurfMutt on the CBS Lucky Dog television show on Saturday mornings.