This instructional packet is one of 14 school environmental education programs developed for use in the classroom and at the Dahlem Environmental Education Center (DEEC) of the Jackson Community College (Michigan). Provided in the packet are pre-trip activities, field trip activities, and post-trip activities which focus on plants and decomposition in the built and natural environments. Strategies for using these activities with third grade students are also provided. The pre-trip activities focus on the characteristics and parts of plants, the nature and use of a classification key, and food chains. These concepts are reinforced during indoor and outdoor activities conducted during a field trip at the DEEC. These activities (and lists of formal and non-formal field trip objectives) are provided in a separate field trip guide. The post-trip activities include information to determine which factors are necessary for plants to grow, investigating urban trees, examining wood and wood products, and examining various aspects of garbage. Many of the ideas presented are useful in creating an interdisciplinary unit on plants and ecology. In addition, students completing this survey of the plant kingdom gain awareness and knowledge about the environment and practice problem-solving skills they will use throughout their lives. (JN)