Plant Pots

Plant Pots lesson plan

  • 1.

    Observe plants. What do plants need to grow (sun, water, soil/food, air)? Build on children’s knowledge about plants.

  • 2.

    Collect milk cartons. Obtain potting soil and seeds that grow easily, such as green bean, pumpkin, or radish. Help children cut milk cartons if needed.

  • 3.

    Small groups work with close adult supervision to cut the milk cartons and plant seeds. Study seed packet information. Introduce new vocabulary words: soil, sprout. Call attention to the smell of the soil, and the texture of soil and seeds. Monitor wateri

  • 4.

    With Crayola® Scissors, cut about 3 inches off the bottom of a clean paper or plastic milk carton.

  • 5.

    Cover your work area with newspaper. Put on a Crayola® Art Smock.

  • 6.

    Add a squirt of liquid dish detergent to Crayola® Washable Tempera. With Crayola® So Big® Brushes, paint the outside of the milk carton to make a colorful plant pot. Apply paint thickly for best color coverage. Dry overnight.

  • 7.

    Write your name with a Crayola® Washable Marker on masking tape. Put it on the side of your plant pot.

  • 8.

    Fill the plant pot about 3/4 full with potting soil. Gently poke 3 or four small holes in the soil with a finger. Place seeds in the holes and cover lightly with soil.

  • 9.

    Water the seeds until the soil is moist. Place your pot in a sunny window or under a plant light. Wash your hands.

Benefits

  • Asking Questions
  • Vocabulary
  • Physical: Eye - Hand Coordination
  • Physical: Healthy Habits
  • Physical: Senses
  • Physical: Small Muscles
  • Social & Emotional: Flexibility
  • Thinking: Predicting Outcomes
  • Thinking: Problem Solving
  • Thinking: Understanding Concepts