The Sprout Machine

OBJECTIVE This activity will allow the often-hidden process of germination to be witnessed, day by day. In the end the children discover the nutritious snack of edible sprouts. ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS What is germination? How long does it take for a plant to sprout? MATERIALS NEEDED • Sprouting Seeds (mung bean seeds are easy to see). […]

Grade levels
Core curriculum subjects
Island Grown Schools topics

Spring in the Garden

OBJECTIVE Students will use observational skills and senses to notice how the spring season changes the garden. ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS How do the seasons affect life in the gardens? MATERIALS NEEDED Three adult group leaders PROCEDURE Introduction:How might things have changed since we last talked about the seasons? Activity:• Divide the class into three groups. Assign […]

Grade levels
Core curriculum subjects
Island Grown Schools topics

From Sheep to Sweater

OBJECTIVE Students will learn how wool is processed to make knitted garments. ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS How do we make wool? Why do farmers raise sheep? MATERIALS NEEDED Cards or props that represent the processing steps from grass to butter (see step #2) Toy sheep or puppetScissors to represent sheep shearsBag of raw fleeceDog grooming brushes or […]

Grade levels ,
Core curriculum subjects
Island Grown Schools topics

Seeds: Living/Nonliving

OBJECTIVE Students will be able to determine if an object we use in the garden is living or nonliving and why. ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS What do living things need to survive and grow? MATERIALS NEEDED A variety of seedsA variety of fruits and vegetables Bowls of soilBottles of waterA picture of the sunTrays labeled “living” and […]

Grade levels
Core curriculum subjects
Island Grown Schools topics

Seeds of Diversity Lesson

OBJECTIVE Students will explore 12 different seeds. They will be able to identify the shared needs of seeds, and the diversity they represent. ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS How are seeds different from one another? How are seeds the same? What do seeds look like? MATERIALS NEEDED • 12 trays (each labeled with a letter,A-L)• 12 different types […]

Grade levels
Core curriculum subjects
Island Grown Schools topics

Introduction to Seeds- Part 2

OBJECTIVE Students will understand where seeds come from and how they grow ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS Where do seeds come from? Why is seed saving important? What happens to a garden during the fall How do we know when a plant is ready to be harvested? What are the stages of a plant life cycle? MATERIALS NEEDED […]

Grade levels
Core curriculum subjects
Island Grown Schools topics