GREEN, GREEN GARDEN
CONCEPT: “Food comes from plants. Plants grow in a garden.”
OBJECTIVE/STANDARD: Students will be able to grow a variety of vegetables in cups in the classroom setting. Observe the seeds to determine the needs of the seeds so that they grow into a healthy plant.
SKCS6. The Nature of Science: Students will understand the important features of the process of scientific inquiry. Students will apply the following to inquiry learning practices:
SKCS6.c. Much can be learned about plants and animals by observing them closely, but care must be taken to know the needs of living things and how to provide for them.
MATERIALS: Potting soil, 6 oz. plastic cups, seeds from “common” vegetables that the children will recognize, permanent marker to label the cups, scissors, water pitcher, science notebook, crayons.
ADVANCED PREPARATION:
1. Bring in the book A Green, Green Garden by Mercer Mayer.
2. Collect all materials and bring to classroom.
3. Punch a few small holes in the bottom of the cups.
4. Set up a station where materials will be kept in the classroom.
PROCEDURE:
Initiating Activity: (Linguistic/ Verbal) Have the students go to the story area. Once everyone is seated, read “A Green, Green Garden” to the class. Talk to the students about the vegetables in the book. Ask engaging questions about those vegetables and other foods they believe come from plants. Ask: “What did little critter and his family have to do for the seeds and seedlings? What do plants need to grow strong?” After our discussion have the students go back to their table.
How to do it: (Bodily-Kinesthetic, Linguistic/ Verbal, Interpersonal) Have students go in small groups to the station set up with the materials. Set out two cups for each child. Use the permanent marker to write the students name on the cup and the seed that was chosen. Ask: “What two plants