THE PLANT CYCLE: Foldable Project Teaches the Plant Growth Cycle, by Debbie Gonzales at LitLinks

Project by Debbie Gonzales at LitLinks

I discovered this easy foldable project by guest blogger Debbie Gonzales at LitLinks (Patricia Newman's blog linking literature and STEM.) It is perfect to use in conjunction with my new book PLANTING A GARDEN IN ROOM 6: From Seeds to Salad. It introduces children to the stages of plant growth from seed to maturity in a simple folding paper project. https://www.patriciamnewman.com/litlinks-easy-foldable-activity-to-illustrate-the-plant-cycle/

Debbie's project was created for the new book  NIGHT BECOMES DAY: CHANGES IN NATURE, written by Cynthia Argentine . 

School Garden: Plant in Containers

An old tire, dresser drawer, tin can, or bucket can make a good gardening container

Gardening is a great hands-on learning project with kids.  But many schools have limited gardening space.  One solution is to use containers.  Container gardening is a flexible alternative to the usual garden plot. Small containers and some containers with wheels can be taken in at night. Larger containers can be used for rooftop and parking lot garden spots.  Spread wood chips or sawdust to cover the asphalt and you can transform a hot dusty corner of the playground into a green oasis for your children.
Containers  should hold at least three gallons of soil for large or deep-rooted plants such as tomatoes, squash and melons, and one and one-half gallons of soil for smaller plants like lettuce, onions, and herbs.  When filling the container with soil, leave a one to three inch basin below the lip for watering.  Containers should have drainage holes in the bottom.  And, containers should be made of a material that will not rot or deteriorate before the plants have matured.

Have fun growing plants and reaping the harvest!

Thanks to Children’s Gardens, A Field Guide for Teachers, Parents and Volunteers by Elizabeth Bremner and John Pusey.  Illustrations by Caroline Arnold

"Wormy Activities" Perfect for Summer Gardening with Kids

For some great ideas of "wormy" activities go to this post at Squish Preschool Ideas.  It includes links to activities for my book Wiggle and Waggle as well as many other suggestions for art projects, games, and more.  This is a terrific resource for summer gardening projects with preschool and primary school age kids.

Art Project: Flowers in the School Garden

Spring Flowers, Lu Sutton Elementary School, Novato, CA

My brother Tom, a third grade teacher in Novato, California, loves to garden and loves to do art projects with his students.  In the fall, the children planted bulbs along the walkways by the classrooms.  By early March the tulips, daffodils and a host of other flowers had sprouted leaves and burst into bloom.

The students then took their drawing pads outdoors and sketched the flowers, making close observations of the shapes and colors of the plants.  Back in the classroom they turned their drawings into beautiful, colorful paintings–a perfect way to preserve and share the beauty of spring!