Fullerton Arboretum

What is the Fullerton Arboretum?

"The Fullerton Arboretum is your passport to the world of plants. Without going far from home, you can inhale the fragrances of the Mediterranean, feel the cool shade of the redwood forest, delight in the glorious fall color of the northeastern United States, hear the rustle of the palm trees, take a break in a desert oasis, laugh at the funny forms of succulents, and breathe in the perfume of old fashioned roses." (http://fullertonarboretum.org/)

Here the students will have an opportunity to see some of the 40,000 species of plants from around the world. With 4 main collections of plants, Desert, Medditerranean, Woodlands, and Cultivated, students will be introduced to a world of plants. It is a beautiful hidden gem in our neigborhood.

Hours and Directions

8-4:30p.m each day

Close on New Year, Christmas and Thanksgiving

Special Summer Hours:

July: 8-8 p.m

August: 8-7:30 p.m

September: 8-7 p.m

Safety and Precautions

• Always follow the class, do not wander off alone.
• Make sure you wear comfortable clothes and close-toes shoes.
• If it gets sunny, make sure to bring sunblock.
• Please do not take anything from the Arboretum, like fruits, branches, flowers, rocks, etc.
• Please walk on the walkway and avoid stepping on plants.
• If you happen to see animals when we are visiting the Arboretum, be kind and don't disturb them by petting or coming to close to them.
• Make sure you are always next to your partner
• Breath, relax, smile, look at the beauty of the Arboretum!

Lets go to the Fullerton Arboretum!

Why the Fullerton Arboretum?

Have you ever wonder why trees have different leaves, colors, height...? Lets visit the world of plants, the Fullerton Arboretum. You will be amazed at the diversity of plants from around the world and the United States here at the Arboretum. In addition, we will also visit the Herba Garden where exotic herbs, fruits and vegetbles are grown. You will see fruit trees like avocado, pomegranates, oranges. There are also squash, pumpkins, and tomatoes...!

Succulents in the Desert

These plants have thick leaves that can adapt to dry climate like the desert. At the Arboretum, there area variety of cactus plants. Some have large, juicy leaves with small needles on them and are shrub-like. Some have narrower branches that grow tall. Some are skinny and short. Some have red fruits that are edible! These cactus plants have modified parts that help them retain water and survive in the hot dessert. Can you tell what those modified parts are?

Exotic Herbs

Oh the smell of basil, thyme and rosemary. The herb garden has a variety of herbs like spearmint that are used for toothpaste, mouthwash, gums and candies; lavender; and sage. This sign tells me that herbs has been used by mankind since ancient time. They are used as medicinal plants but also in delicious cooking around the world. Do you have an herb garden at home? When do you use herbs?

Fruits and Vegetables at the Herb Garden

Have you ever wonder how the fruits and vegetable you eat everyday are grown? At the Herb Garden, you will see gigantic squash grown on vines. Sweet and ripe tomatoes plants and tall stalks of corn are grown here too. When you see the avocado trees, don't forget to look up because there are always more big avocados on top. Pomegranates, apples, pumpkins, oranges are also in this beautiful garden.

A. What special benefits could my students gain from visiting this field trip site?

My students will identify and recognize plants from the four collections at the Arboretum. In addition, they will learn what plants have to adapt to different climates around the world. They will gain knowledge about the diversity of plants, which includes a variety of species and types. They will touch and smell each plant from each region. Most importantly, they will enjoy the beauty of the Fullerton Arboretum.

B. What would I need to do to adequately prepare my students before the visit?

To adequately prepare my students for the visit, I will read them a short story about plants. I will also bring pictures or real artifacts of different plants, fruits, vegetable and trees to class to help my English Language Learners learn the necessary vocabulary for this field trip. I will also give a mini-lesson on what plants need to survive and how they can modify their parts to survive in different climate and soil type.

C. What resource materials are available to assist my preparation, teaching?

The arboretum site is very helpful to prepare students for this trip: http://fullertonarboretum.org/home.php.

More Websites:
http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/

http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/


D. What will I do to debrief my students after I have attended the field trip?

After my class and I come back from the field trip, we will discuss about the type of plants that we saw. Also, I will ask students to think/pair share with their partners several things that stood out to them during the trip. Then, as a class, I will ask students to volunteer sharing what they found interesting or learn because of our trip. Then, the students will write an entry in their journal expressing why they think it is important to preserve plants and trees.