Materials
- children's books about gardens
- garden resource books
- seed and gardening catalogs
- potting soil
- spoons
- cups
- markers or pens
- vegetable seeds
- sand and water table
- spray bottles
- craft sticks
What to do
April is National Garden Month.
1. Read a variety of stories about gardens, and have resource books and seed and gardening catalogs throughout the classroom. Encourage the children to explore the materials.
2. Ask the children if they would like to plant a school garden. Explain that they will start the garden indoors and then transplant the seedlings outdoors after the danger of frost in your area has passed.
3. Add soil and spoons to the sand and water table. Use this area for a small group activity so that you can extend learning and provide support on an individual basis.
4. Let each child choose what types of seeds she would like to plant.
5. Write each child's name on at least one cup so that those who want to take a plant home may do so. The other cups will hold plants for the classroom garden.
6. Help the children write (assist those who are not writing yet) the name of the seeds they are planting on craft sticks. These will identify the seedlings as they grow.
7. Have the children spoon soil into their cups, place 2-3 seeds in the soil, cover with one or two spoonfuls of soil, and spray with water. Place all finished cups in a warm, sunny location.
8. Develop a watering schedule that is appropriate for the seeds/plants. It could be a job for the leader of the day. Make sure everyone has a turn.
More to do
- Math: Chart the growth of the plants using a calendar and measuring once a week.
-Ann Kelly, Johnstown, PA
