Lesson Plan
Secret Garden of Words Lesson Plan
Students will practice phonics decoding and expand vocabulary by digging up hidden word cards in a garden-themed hunt and building sentences using the unearthed words.
Engaging multisensory activities boost phonics fluency and vocabulary retention for Tier 2 learners by combining movement, decoding practice, and sentence construction.
Audience
2nd Grade Group
Time
25 minutes
Approach
Hands-on word hunt and collaborative sentence building
Materials
- Garden Word Cards, - Word Bank List, - Sentence Bouquet Recording Sheet, - Secret Garden Map Poster, - Small Baskets or Trowels, and - Timer or Watch
Prep
Print and Prepare Materials
15 minutes
- Print and cut out the Garden Word Cards.
- Print the Sentence Bouquet Recording Sheet for each student.
- Display or hang the Secret Garden Map Poster in the classroom.
- Review the Word Bank List to familiarize yourself with target words.
Step 1
Garden Word Bloom (Warm-Up)
5 minutes
- Gather students around the Secret Garden Map Poster.
- Introduce the garden theme and explain they’ll be “digging” for word cards.
- Model decoding one word from the Word Bank List by sounding out phonemes and blending.
- Have students chorus-read and repeat blending for two more sample words.
Step 2
Word Card Dig (Main Activity)
15 minutes
- Divide students into small groups and give each a basket or trowel and a timer.
- Hide the Garden Word Cards around the room or outdoor area ahead of time.
- On “go,” groups hunt for 3–4 word cards each, returning to their table when time is up.
- At the table, students decode each found card, then write the word on their Sentence Bouquet Recording Sheet.
- Encourage use of the Word Bank List if students need help sounding out or spelling.
Step 3
Sentence Bouquet (Cool-Down)
5 minutes
- Invite each group to share one sentence they formed using their collected words from the Sentence Bouquet Recording Sheet.
- Display and read aloud each sentence, praising phonics decoding and creative vocabulary use.
- Discuss any new words: define meaning and ask for synonyms or examples in context.
Slide Deck
Secret Garden of Words
An immersive phonics & vocabulary hunt for 2nd Grade
Duration: 25 minutes | Tier 2 Group Lesson
Welcome, everyone! Today we enter our “Secret Garden of Words.” Get ready for a fun phonics hunt and sentence-building adventure. Show the garden map to set the scene and build excitement.
Lesson Objectives
• Practice phonics decoding
• Expand garden-themed vocabulary
• Build sentences using unearthed word cards
Read each objective aloud and connect back to our garden theme. Emphasize that we’ll practice decoding, learn new words, and build sentences.
Garden Word Bloom (Warm-Up)
- Gather at the Secret Garden Map Poster
- Introduce garden theme and “digging” for words
- Model decoding 1 word from the Word Bank List
- Students chorus-read and blend two more words
Gather students around the Secret Garden Map Poster. Explain that we’ll warm up by “planting” our decoding seeds. Model sounding out one word, then have them chorus-read two more.
Word Card Dig (Main Activity)
- Split into small groups; distribute baskets/trowels & a timer
- Hunt for 3–4 hidden Garden Word Cards
- Return and write each word on the Sentence Bouquet Recording Sheet
- Reference the Word Bank List if students need help
Divide into small groups, hand out baskets/trowels and a timer. Circulate to support decoding and spelling. Encourage use of the Word Bank List as needed.
Sentence Bouquet (Cool-Down)
- Groups share one sentence using their collected words
- Display & read aloud; celebrate decoding and creativity
- Discuss any new words: definitions & synonyms/examples
Invite each group to share one sentence. Praise decoding accuracy and creative vocabulary. Lead a quick discussion on any unfamiliar words—define and find synonyms or examples.
Growing Our Word Garden!
Great job digging up words today!
• Keep practicing phonics
• Explore new vocabulary daily
See you at our next Secret Garden adventure!
Congratulate everyone on their hard work. Remind them to keep digging into new words every day! Preview our next garden-themed literacy lesson.
Worksheet
Garden Word Cards
Cut out each card below. Students will use these cards during the Word Card Dig to decode and later build sentences.
Seed
Soil
Sprout
Bloom
Leaf
Root
Petal
Stem
Vine
Water
Bug
Grow
Reading
Word Bank List
Use this list during decoding practice. Each entry shows the phonetic breakdown, part of speech, and a simple definition.
Seed (/sēd/) – noun
The part of a plant from which a new plant grows.
Soil (/so͞il/) – noun
The loose top layer of earth in which plants grow.
Sprout (/sprout/) – verb/noun
To begin to grow; also the new growth that emerges from a seed.
Bloom (/blōōm/) – verb/noun
To produce flowers; also the flower itself when it is open.
Leaf (/lēf/) – noun
A flat, green part of a plant that makes food from sunlight.
Root (/ro͞ot/) – noun
The part of a plant that grows underground and absorbs water and nutrients.
Petal (/ˈpe-təl/) – noun
One of the soft, colored parts that make up a flower.
Stem (/stem/) – noun
The main stalk of a plant that supports leaves and flowers.
Vine (/vīn/) – noun
A plant that has a long, thin stem and climbs or spreads on the ground.
Water (/ˈwô-tər/) – noun/verb
A clear liquid essential for life; to pour water on plants to help them grow.
Bug (/bəg/) – noun
A small insect or tiny creature found in the garden.
Grow (/grō/) – verb
To become larger or to develop over time.
Worksheet
Sentence Bouquet Recording Sheet
Use this sheet to record the words you dug up in the garden and build a sentence with them!
Group Members: ____________________________
1. Words You Found
Word 1: ________________________________
Word 2: ________________________________
Word 3: ________________________________
Word 4: ________________________________
2. Your Sentence Bouquet
Write one complete sentence using at least two of the words above.
3. Draw Your Secret Garden Bouquet (Optional)
Use the space below to sketch a picture of your sentence bouquet!