OBJECTIVE

Students will be able identify what plants need to grow

Students will grow Microgreens

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

What do plants need to grow?

What kind of farms are there?

What plants do we eat?

MATERIALS

• Kale Microgreen seeds
• Seed tray
• Soil
• Kale Microgreens Growing Journal (1 per student)

PROCEDURE

Introduction:

Each group will be able to plant their microgreens in the place that they think will grow the best and give them as much water as they choose. Each week (for 3 weeks) students will complete their growing journal and will compare results with the other groups.

Ask students if they know what the word “micro” means. Explain that they will be planting a plant that is small on purpose. Ask if they have any ideas why a farmer would do this. Explain how microgreens have many nutrients packed into a small plant because they didn’t spend their energy producing fruits or seeds. They can also be harvested much quicker since they don’t need to grow as large.

Activity

Divide the class into groups of 3-4 students and explain the growing challenge. Pass out a tray, enough soil to fill the tray and ½ cup of seeds. Jobs for each group include soil spreader, seed sprinkler, waterer, and placer. Once the students have set up their trays and placed them in a spot around the classroom, have them fill out their journal for week one.

Wrap Up/Assessment: 

Have students write predictions about their growth rates in their journals. Fill out attached journal questions.