Kids in the Garden

We will explore the world of growing plants for fun and food. We’ll investigate the world of seeds and soil, the parts of a plant, growth cycles, insects, worms and pollinators, while harvesting and eating what you’ve grown. There will be lots of hands-on experiments, starting with planting seeds and tracking their growth. We will be hatching caterpillars, and we will observe them grow through the different life cycle stages until they become butterflies. If you would like to follow along at home with your own butterfly kits, I’ve provided the link under Resources for where you can purchase them. 
I will be reading a book to students during each class. The books will be shared digitally so only purchase them if you want to continue to enjoy them at home. The kids can follow the books on screen as I read. 
You will need a few materials like soil, seeds, and pots. My intention is to keep things simple and cost effective, so I’ll create a list of materials with easy available substitutions. 

Expectations and goals 
My expectations for the students are that they have fun and enjoy this journey into the world of gardening. The goals are to learn about how plants grow, see where our food comes from, and to exercise fine and gross motor skills, hand eye coordination, reading and listening skills, along with one of the most important aspects of gardening – patience. But most of all, we want to have fun!

Course materials 
Required materials
•        Seeds – lettuce, carrots, peas, beans (lima or pinto). Sunflower. Also, we will sprout a potato. The attached link is for a potato grow bag, which isn’t necessary but does make it easier to grow and harvest potatoes.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08HLFPLL3/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A3LQHQMTWN57U8&th=1
•        Soil. Look for soil specifically geared towards germinating seeds. Here’s a suggestion:
https://www.amazon.com/Miracle-Gro-VB00005-Seed-Starting-Potting/dp/B087F4XHFS/ref=asc_df_B087F4XHFS?mcid=b2f592f5afb039c992ece62a07ab852d&hvocijid=223203796866119772-B087F4XHFS-&hvexpln=73&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=730432682330&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=223203796866119772&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1027243&hvtargid=pla-2281435175938&th=1
•        My Gardening Guide and Logbook: Learn, Track and Journal Your Plants Growing from Seed to Bloom by Georges Fine
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CYWJSBNZ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_17?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1
•        Paper egg carton (please do not use Styrofoam) for starting seeds. The paper carton can be planted directly in the ground and will decompose and feed the plant. It’s also much cheaper than buying special coir pots. 
•        Ziplock bags - gallon size
•        Trowel https://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-79786931J-FiberComp-Trowel/dp/B0002YVDSW/ref=sr_1_7?crid=1M8P3Z1TMI53M&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.HzOHOghdGoM9UZaUcLbLujjnPyo5xcYfvcVtN6DUn_lILY3ywMIkJGKGsMaP30EADfBQe2hKgFVr5TYtwQ2uxgnC1KeF_tSS8FKmQrLonHwzTwkXG1IGrNh6_ffvQ2uWcPbULp6XfjdtbHuRTc8sOfuaZsUMsH7rT5br1NlkOGV14ytHLF1KDl7VuYTYi8wFZX9j8iJEZH9UI-UVu7wg4EJxyOpbyjTvfvx6Jp6ugvyNzF9bhbguIsEqzFfSJKwKNrs1lrMn6V_tISTrZ4gfrnAo5KNo-OG8JYFQaKvC84FY1UGZfZ0P-KzXODqvsdw5LGNr_TUJpcj6dcWov1Ko1yuug0tN-ic1e6ulEMOeK3_JR7vTjWmPoBaKROeSjfvbBJs3jj3MaI9pc2bPDYnzLxkY0c1dzedJicXwHRxyHQcEk5pfsj9nzh3oAKWkGzhV.7KP8chHBknhVG-9P0PqWwg1NW-ZsZkX7aOusv6i6ZTE&dib_tag=se&keywords=kids%2Btrowel&qid=1740582708&sprefix=kids%2Btrowel%2Caps%2C172&sr=8-7&th=1

Optional materials / Reading List  
You can find these books at your local library or purchase them from a variety of sources. Thrift Books is a convenient online used book seller, offering titles at a deep discount. These books are not required, however, as I will be reading the books to the students. But if you or your student want to read these books at home, here is what we’ll be reading:
•        A Seed is the Start by Melissa Stewart
•        From Seed to Plant by Gail Gibbons
•        Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt by Kate Messner
•        The Backyard Bug Book for Kids: Storybook, Insect Facts, and Activities (Let’s Learn About Bugs and Animals) by Lauren Davidson
•        Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin, 
•        Soil, Seeds, Sun, and Rain: How Nature Works on a Farm by Baby Professor
•        World of Pollinators: A Guide for Explorers of All Ages by The Editors of Creative Homeowners
•        Roots, Stems, Leaves, and Flowers: Let’s Investigate Plant Parts by Ruth Owen
•        The Vegetables We Eat by Gail Gibbons
•        Garden to Table: A Kid’s Guide to Planting, Growing, and Preparing Food by Katherine Hengel
•        Strega Nona’s Harvest by Tomie dePaola


Course schedule 

Week 1 
Tuesday:  Seeds and Planting - A Seed is the Start 
Thursday:  Soil - Soil, Sun, Seeds and Rain         

Week 2 
Tuesday:  Parts of a Plant - Roots, Stems, Leaves and Flowers
Thursday:  Plant Life Cycles - From Seed to Plant

Week 3 
Tuesday:  Worms and Bugs - Diary of a Worm, Backyard Bug Book
Thursday:  Pollinators - World of Pollinators

Week 4
Tuesday:  Harvesting - Strega Nona's Harvest, Up in the Garden, Down in the Dirt
Thursday:  Preparing and Cooking - The Vegetables We Eat, Garden to Table

Additional information and resources  
•        Gardening Lab for Kids: 52 Fun Experiments to Learn, Grow, Harvest, Make, Play, and Enjoy Your Garden by Renata Brown
•        Root Viewer Kit for Kids - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CRK33YXD/ref=ox_sc_act_title_14?smid=A25UVQ9KXPS81A&psc=1
•        Nature Bound Butterfly Growing Kit – Live Caterpillar to Butterfly Project for Kids - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UUS46CU/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_2?smid=A1C5917DIK0HSJ&th=1
•        Kids Garden Community - https://community.kidsgardening.org/home