In this project, the students will learn about and experience the life cycle of a plant. The project can be started with a read aloud such as, “What a Plant Needs to Grow” other similar book. The class will use a science journal to list materials needed for plants to grow such as soil, water, seeds etc. Students write about the steps of planting seeds and then make some predictions about what will happen in their journal. Then they will plants the seeds and record observations for a few weeks of what is happening.
It is exciting to be able to see the growing process as well as the roots of the plant if a clear cup is used. Students can observe what happens with the plants as they are in the window how they will lean toward the sunlight. Try turning their plant away from the sun and see what happens as the plant bends the other direction toward the sun.
After a few weeks of growing, students will finish making observations. The class should have a discussion about the parts of a plant and how the plant reproduces and begins a new life cycle. Students could take their plants home and share what they have been learning with their parents.
Materials
- Soil, containers (use small plastic dessert cups so that students could see the roots as the plant grew.)
- seeds (try cosmo seeds because they germinate quickly)
- water
- journal or worksheet