W1 L1 introduction to gardening

• Engels
• MBO
• Studiejaar 2

GUERILLA GARDENING

A project for the rebels

• learn useful vocabulary
  around gardening.  
• learn all about guerilla gardening.
   
• read a text and answer questions.
• watch a TED-talk by a well-known guerilla gardener and answer questions.
• research other initiatives for guerilla gardening.
• write a proposal for your own guerilla garden initiative.

use the worksheets

 During this project you will:

TODAY'S LESSON:

• useful vocabulary around gardening 
  
• listening exercises about gardening
  
  Did you grow up with a back garden?
  Do you have a 'green thumb'?

Which statement fits you the best?

How large is your 'green thumb'?

I could kill a plastic cactus.

I like plants, but someone else cares for them.

Love plants, but a garden is a lot of work.

Love plants, would love to have a garden.

I am already growing a garden!

nat.ves                                 = local plants 

perenn..l pl..t                     = plant that lives longer than 2 years 

ann..l plant                         = plant that lives 1 year 

w......wers                            = grows freely, without humans 

a / an h..b,  h..bs                 = used in food for seasoning

cr.ps                                      = plants grown on large scale (food) 

f.liage                                   = leaves
veget....n                               = all the plants in one area, greenery

s..ds                                       = how (flowering) plants start their life

s..dlings                                = young plants, already sprouted 

.ine(s)                                   = a climbing plant

Complete the words:

pronunciation herb/ erb
H =  US
silent h = UK

natives                                  = local plants 

perennial plant                   = plant that lives longer than 2 years 

annual plant                        = plant that lives 1 year 

wildflowers                         = grows freely, without humans 

a / an herb,  herbs               = used in food for seasoning

crops                                     = plants grown on large scale (food) 

foliage                                  = leaves
vegetation                            = all the plants in one area, greenery

seeds                                     = how (flowering) plants start their life

seedlings                              = young plants, already sprouted 

vine(s)                                   = a climbing plant

Complete the words - answers

pronunciation herb/ erb
H =  US
silent h = UK

Listen to a podcast about gardening in Australia. 

Use the worksheet to fill in the gaps.

+/- 7 minutes

A2 PODCAST gardening Australia

LISTENING EXERCISE 1

worksheet: TASK 1

Looking at plant care labels

worksheet: TASK 2

Listen to a conversation between two people about gardening.

Use the worksheet to answer the questions.

  +/- 9 minutes 

LISTENING EXERCISE 2

A2 Conversation about gardening

worksheet: TASK 3

To ‘spring into action’ – means to become suddenly very active and energetic.

To ‘beat around the bush’ – This means to discuss a matter without coming to the point.  

 

Pull out the weeds/ to weed  – removing the weeds from the garden by pulling out the root. 

Pruning the trees - to cut off/ back for a better shape or better growth.

Mowing the lawn – to cut the grass on a lawn with a lawn mower.

Watering the plants – to pour water on to plants or the soil that they are growing in.

Sewing a seed - to grow plants by planting seeds in the soil/ ground.

Planting plants – the process of putting plants in the soil or a pot.
Reviving a plant - bring a plant back to life, saving it.
 

'to bloom with flowers'       'to sprout new leaves'     'to spread (out) along the garden bed'

SPEAKING EXERCISE       -   pick 3 phrases

Discuss your gardening experience with a classmate: give 3 examples

Questions you can ask about gardening:
Do you have natives or mainly introduced plants in your garden?

Does this plants need full sun or part shade? 

Is your garden bed in a partially or fully shaded spot? 

Is your garden flower, veggie or ornamental? 

Do you prefer seedlings or seeds? 

Phrases you can use to talk about gardening: 

My natives will make a lovely ornamental garden. 

I need to buy a trowel and one angled shovel. 

I’m looking for some easy-to-care perennials.

ASKING QUESTIONS   -   Do ...?   Does ....?   Is ....?

A2 PODCAST gardening Australia

Listen to a radio show where people can call in if they have a gardening problem.

After the clip you will be asked a few questions, so you might want to take some notes.

+/- 3 minutes 

LISTENING EXERCISE 3

B1 radio show gardening

1. Mark is calling the gardening show about _____

1. some dying flowers
2. several strawberry patches
3. diseased fruit trees
4. a complaint about the show

2. His wife received the particular plants from her ____.

1. sister
2. mother
3. close friend
4. Father Christmas

3. Mark thinks that he might have ___.

1. killed the plants with deadly chemicals
2. driven his truck over the plants
3. forgotten to water the plants
4. covered the plants accidentally

4. Mark won't be able to deal with the situation unless ____.

1. the weather improves soon
2. he can buy the right plant food
3. his wife goes on vacation
4. he goes on a vacation

5. The gardening show host suggests that Mark ____.

1. should go on vacation
2. should buy a new plant
3. should take his wife out to eat
4. should ask for forgiveness

(OPTIONAL)

Take a short online QUIZ
about listening exercise 2.

A2 Conversation about gardening

LISTENING EXERCISE 2

Did you learn some new information about gardening?
Where could you use this new information?

Did you have any trouble with the listening exercises?
Did you speak English during the entire class? 

Evaluation

next class: reading a text about guerilla gardening