© Copyright 2000 Teaching Treasures Publications Lesson Plan Herbs 2 Subject: Nasturtium as a herb. Introduction: Herbs were and still are a valuable food source for animals, birds, insects and humans. Student Objective: To learn the value of herbs, understand survival skills, learn what is edible and useful about certain herbal plants, realize that herbs are also used for medicinal purposes. Learning Outcomes: Society and Environment, Technology, Science, English, Maths and Art. Materials needed: Enthusiastic students, pen, paper, paints, art supplies, computer, scanner, multimedia, internet access, dictionary, public or school library access. Optional: camera or digital camera. Select age group:   Ages 5-7         Ages 8-10        Ages 11-13       Ages 14-16   Back to herbs

Ages 5-7

Step: (If possible collect several nasturtium flowers and leaves beforehand)

1. Ask students if they know what herbs are.
2. Can one student give an example of a herb?
3. Read the introduction web page about the nasturtium to your student.
4. Locate a library book with pictures of nasturtium to show your students.
5. Discuss what insects do when they land on the flowers. (Pollinate, collect nectar etc.)
6. Explain that nasturtium were named by botanists who gave it a Scientific name.
7. Explain what a botanist does.
8. Ask students to draw nasturtium by looking at the picture in the library book. This can be done with pencils or paints.
9. Ask students to write the words 'nasturtium'  on their drawing. Ask them to write something about nasturtium if they can.
10. Use orange, yellow and green crepe-paper to make nasturtium flowers and leaves. Make a nasturtium display when they're all finished.
11. Make a large display banner with your students with the heading 'nasturtium'. Hang it above the display.
12. If possible, organise a walk where nasturtium grow or try to grow some in your school garden.

back to top

Ages 8-10

Step: (If possible collect several nasturtium flowers and leaves beforehand)

1. Ask students if they know what herbs are.
2. Can one student give an example of a herb?
3. Ask students to read the introduction web page about the nasturtium
4. Ask students to locate a library book with pictures of nasturtium.
5. Discuss what insects do when they land on the flowers. (Pollinate, collect nectar etc.)
6. Explain that nasturtium were named by botanists who gave it a Scientific name.
7. Ask students to find out what a botanist does.
8. Ask students to draw nasturtium by looking at the picture in the library book. This can be done with pencils or paints.
9. Ask students to write a short essay about nasturtium, where it grows, what it looks like and what parts are edible or used for medicinal purposes.
10. Ask students to explore the Internet by searching for the given topic in a search engine.
11. If possible, organise a walk where nasturtium grow or try to grow some in your school garden.

back to top

Ages 11-13

Step: (If possible collect several nasturtium flowers and leaves beforehand)

1. Ask students if they know what herbs are.
2. Can one student give an example of a herb?
3. Ask students to read the introduction web page about the nasturtium
4. Ask students to locate a library book dealing with nasturtium. It should contain some pictures.
5. Discuss what insects do when they land on the flowers. (Pollinate, collect nectar etc.)
6. Explain that nasturtium were named by botanists who gave it a Scientific name.
7. Ask students to find out what a botanist does.
8. Ask students to locate a book or internet site about a famous botanist and read about this person.
9. Ask students to draw nasturtium. This can be done with pencils or paints.
10. Ask students to write an essay about the nasturtium, where it grows, what it looks like, what parts are edible, if it has medicinal purposes and its Scientific name.
11. Ask students to explore the Internet by searching for the given topic in a search engine.
12. If possible, organise a walk where nasturtium grow or try to grow some in your school garden.

back to top

Ages 14-16

Step: (If possible collect several nasturtium flowers and leaves beforehand)

1. Ask students if they know what herbs are.
2. Can one student give an example of a herb?
3. Ask students to read the introduction web page about the nasturtium
4. Ask students to locate a library book dealing with the nasturtium. It should contain some pictures and Scientific facts.
5. Discuss what insects do when they land on the flowers. (Pollinate, collect nectar etc.)
6. Explain that nasturtium were named by botanists who gave it a Scientific name. Ask students to find out what a botanist does. 
7. When they have found out ask students to locate a book or internet site about a famous botanist. Ask them to bookmark their research for inclusion in their essay.
8. Learn together about the environment. Discuss personal health benefits when gardening, taking into account the physical exercise one would get and the fact that fresh herbs taste superb in many dishes. This can also be included in their essay.
9. Ask students to write an essay (by hand or with the use of a computer) about the nasturtium, where it grows, what it looks like, what parts are edible, if it has medicinal purposes, its Scientific name and all other facts they have previous researched.
10. Ask students to draw nasturtium on their essay work (if done by hand) by looking at the picture of a library book as an example. This can be done with pencils or paints. The drawings can be scanned and placed on their work if they have done it with the help of the computer.
11. Ask students to explore the Internet by searching for the given topic in a search engine.
12. If possible, organise a walk where nasturtium grow or try to grow some in your school garden.
13. Pictures can be taken and scanned or use a digital camera.

back to top

Back to herbs | To bush tucker lesson plans | Bush tucker main page

© Copyright 2000 Teaching Treasures Publications