Our Garden Journal

To develop early writing skills by documenting the growth of plants in a class garden journal.

• Framework: EYFS
• Unit: EYFS Seed to Table
• Learning area: Literacy
• Level: EYFS Reception

Objectives

• Write labels and captions independently
• Use phonics knowledge to spell words
• Record observations through combined drawing and writing
• Write for a meaningful purpose

Materials

• Class garden journal (large scrapbook)
• Coloured pencils and fine-tip markers
• Phonics mats and word banks with garden vocabulary
• Photographs of garden changes
• Date stamps

Instructions

Model writing entries with clear letter formation. Encourage children to use their phonics knowledge to sound out words. Celebrate all mark-making attempts and scaffold writing through shared and guided approaches.

Educator tip

Share the garden journal with families during stay-and-play sessions to celebrate children's progress in writing.

Assessment

Assess against Early Learning Goals. Document evidence of letter formation, phonics application, and ability to write for purpose.

More from EYFS Seed to Table

• Sharing Our Harvest Feast
• Exploring Fruit and Vegetables
• Oats and Beans and Barley Grow
• Planting Our Seeds
• From Garden to Kitchen
• The Enormous Turnip Retelling
• Counting and Sorting the Harvest
• Vegetable Printing