Junior Master Gardener - Level 2 : Handbook (Teacher/Leader Guide ed.)

Beyond the buckling cement of a long-forgotten industrial park, in the deep shadows of a black, slimy swamp, grew a mutating, twisted little thistle with a twisted plan for the world.

Operation Thistle teaches kids all about plant growth and development while pitting them and JMG Plant Intelligence against the cunning, evil Dr. Thistle. As the first installment in Level 2, for grades six through eight, Operation Thistle combines a teacher/leader guide with reproducible pages of student activities into a single book.

While engaging in their mission to defeat the nefarious doctor, kids will learn about plants' growth, classification, parts, needs, processes, and seed and vegetative propagation.

Operation Thistle encourages youths to take part in community service projects and allows them to earn recognition medals and certification.

The book contains valuable appendices with a registration packet, tips for working with young people, basic 4-H facts, and worksheets.

Teachers can take advantage of reading sections that have corresponding questions in a standardized testing format. Future installments of Level 2 books will focus on ecology, soils and water, landscaping, and fruits and vegetables.

But for now, kids can have fun learning all the facets of plant growth and development while thwarting Dr. Thistle's wicked ways.