From Seed to Plant, Gr. 1
| | The ESP unit From Seed to Plant
has a number of resources including assessments, read alouds and
leveled readers to help teachers implement this unit in their
classrooms.
In addition, there are several videos to assist teachers with this unit that can be streamed from the ESP website.
Teachers using the ESP From Seed to Plant
kit will find the assessments and leveled readers on additional Web
pages (see related links below). Access to these tools requires the
password provided in your kit.
TIP: ESP
ships dry potting soil. To moisten the soil before use, place the
plastic bag of soil in a bucket or sink. Open the bag a small amount at
one end and run water into the bag directly from the tap. Let sit
overnight.
TIP: What is the most
common classroom problem when students are growing and studying plants?
Overwatering! Containers used to grow plants in the classroom should
always have drainage holes. If they don't, use a sharp pencil to poke 2
or 3 holes in the side of the container near the bottom. Then place the
container on a tray to keep excess water from making a mess. Most plants
should not be watered more than once a week.
There are many good Internet resources for classes studying plants.
Plant Adaptations are interesting things to investigate at any age.
Visit Botanical Record Breakers for some really unusual plant facts (adult reading level).
Visit the Natural Perspective: Plant Kingdom page to learn a little about different kinds of plants.
The Great Plant Escape with some fun mysteries to solve to learn more about plants.
National Gardening Association has indoor and outdoor gardening resources. For resources more specifically tuned to upstate New York, visit Rochester Gardening.
Iowa State University Extension's Home Horticulture pages are also quite useful for indoor and outdoor gardening information. In fact, your Cooperative Extension Service has extensive resources on plants and other subjects.
Thinking about a school garden? Visit KinderGARDEN for ideas and information on how to do it.
Our Past Activities of the Month have many plant resources. If students want to try growing seeds from some of the fruits in their lunches, visit our page on "Mistreating Seeds" for tips for getting them to grow. Visit our "Traveling Seeds" page for information on how seeds get from one place to another.
Also visit the pages that explain: