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This is a website that explains to students what the students need , such as:

6–8 seeds (see note below)

3–4 paper cups (or other small containers)

One small plastic lid per cup (to catch the water)

Soil

Pencil

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Do you want to conduct your own plant investigation? Let's get started!

Seeds come in all shapes, sizes, and types. There are some seeds that are so tiny, they look like dust. Other seeds, though, can be as big as a basketball! Seeds remain asleep until they are given soil, water, and light. In fact, all plants need certain things to grow, including: room to grow, the right temperature, light, water, air, nutrients, and time.

Have you ever wondered how a seed becomes a plant? Now is your chance to find out! You get to grow a plant from a seed!
What you need:

6-8 seeds (see note below)

3-4 paper cups (or other small containers)

One small plastic lid per cup (to catch the water)

Soil

Pencil

Note: If you're using seeds from a seed packet, follow the planting instructions on the packet. You can use dried beans from the cupboard, but you may want to soak them in water for a couple hours first.

1. Place your cup on a table covered with newspaper to protect the table. (You could also work outside.)

2. Poke a hole in the bottom of the cup with a pencil.

3. Fill the cup almost full with soil.

4. Make a couple holes in the soil with your finger or pencil.

5. Place one or two seeds in the hole and cover them with soil.

6. Place plastic lid under cup, water the seeds, and place the cup in a sunny spot.

7. Water the soil when it looks dry. If you stick your finger one inch into the soil and it feels dry, then water your plant. When you water the plant, moisten the soil by using enough water so that it starts to come out of the hole in the bottom of the cup.

8. Remember that it takes time to grow and care for plants. Some plants require more time to grow than others.

Note: These directions are guidelines for planting and caring for a seed and plant. You should follow the directions that come with your seeds for the best results.

Use this printable observation journal (pdf) to record your observations. Be sure to share your observations from your plant investigation.

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The Science of Spring: plant, grown, learn | Plant Investigation

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Do you want to conduct your own plant investigation? Let's get started! Seeds come in all shapes, sizes, and types. There are some seeds that are so tiny, they look like dust. Other seeds, though, can be as big as a basketball! Seeds remain asleep until they are given soil, water, and light.

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This website gives the run-down on how the children should use the tools safety and effectively.

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Garden safety for kids part 2: Using tools and preventing injury

Learn to stay safe in the garden.

Posted on August 11, 2014 by Julia Darnton, Michigan State University Extension

Michigan State University Extension recommends gardening as a great activity for people of all ages. Not only can children learn about the life cycle of plants, they can also learn about fruit, vegetables and build skills for a life-long activity. Keeping safe in the garden is very important for children. The following tips will help keep kids safe whether they are in a school or home garden. For more information about safe gardening, see part one of this article - Getting ready for the garden.

Before using tools:

Prior to use, inspect tools for defects or damage including splintered handles, dulled heads and blades, worn teeth or broken joints. If the tool has defects or damage, remove it from use until it is repaired.

Instructions on how to use the tool should be given by an experienced user of the tool.

Power tools are not appropriate for most children under 14. Children over 14 should not use power tools unless they have been thoroughly trained on how to operate them appropriately and have the strength and maturity to control the tool.

Very young children should not be given sharp tools.

Children using tools should be supervised by an adult.

Tools are not to be used on other people. Reinforce this message with kids in the garden.

Using Tools:

Every tool has a dangerous side - for cutting, breaking up soil, digging, raking or weeding. An easy way to instruct kids is to explain that they should think of the edges- shovels, rake tines, trimmer blades - as the red zone and make sure that they are careful of the red zone of the tool.

Tools should always be held with the red zone pointed down towards the ground.

When putting a tool down, the cutting edge (or red zone) should be close to the ground - rakes should be put with tines down - as should forks, hoes, and shovels.

Tools are not toys and there is no horseplay allowed with tools.

Kids should also be aware of the danger that long handles can pose. Tools are not batons to be swung around or swords or stilts. Neither should tools be thrown, left on the ground, or put in pockets.

Make sure a child allows adequate room when using a tool to prevent injury to others

Use tools away from your own body and look where you are going to make sure it is away from everyone else's body too.

Use the proper hand tool for the work you are doing. Using the wrong tool for the job can result in more force being used and danger for the user.

Prevent injuries in the garden:

Rotate tasks to prevent repetitive motion injuries.

Lifting should be done with the knees and not the back. Children are encouraged to carry only what they can manage safely.

Use wheelbarrows to move heavy loads and make smaller trips if necessary.

After using tools:

Tools are cleaned and put away after use in their proper location.

In some cases, tools should be disinfected to prevent cross contamination.

Hoses should be rolled up to prevent tripping.

Chemicals:

Garden chemicals, including fertilizers and pesticides, should not be used by children - please keep them away from children in a secure and properly ventilated storage area.
Other articles in this series:
This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

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Garden safety for kids part 2: Using tools and preventing injury

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Posted on August 11, 2014 by Julia Darnton , Michigan State University Extension Michigan State University Extension recommends gardening as a great activity for people of all ages. Not only can children learn about the life cycle of plants, they can also learn about fruit, vegetables and build skills for a life-long activity.

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Tips on safety and incase of a injury

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Gardening safety tips. What to do to avoid injury while gardening.

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The Bugs and Insects App has a database of more than 900 pests,that can be a great resource for the students to know what kind of bugs to be looking for that could harm their garden.

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What plants grow best in Clarksville TN (Katie Daniels)

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What plants grow best in Clarksville TN (Katie Daniels)

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This website shows all of the plants that grow best within the area of Clarksville TN. With this website, the teacher could bring up pictures along with the site to help the students to decide what plants they want in the garden.

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Plants reported to grow well and around Clarksville, tn

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Welcome to the famous Dave's Garden website. Join our friendly community that shares tips and ideas for gardens, along with seeds and plants.

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This is an article filled with information about which plants would be the easiest for children to plant and take care of.

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Encourage your little ones to play in the dirt by helping with the garden! Dedicate a corner of the garden just for them, and let them pick what they want to grow. All the plants listed below have been chosen because they are easy to grow. Your kids will love seeing (and even...

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How to Create Good Growing Soil (Skilar Stansel)

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How to Create Good Growing Soil (Skilar Stansel)

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Gives students the right idea as to what to do to the soil after cleaning up the field, and before planting any vegetables.

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Basic Gardening Tips : How to Create Good Growing Soil

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Learn how to create good growing soil when growing a garden in this free gardening video.. Expert: Tia Pinney Bio: Tia Pinney is a Teacher Naturalist and Adult Program Coordinator at Mass Audubons Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary in Lincoln, Massachusetts. Filmmaker: Christian Munoz-Donoso

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This is a web site with good tips for the teacher and the students

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Establish garden rules. Just like the classroom, there should be simple and clear expectations for behavior. Work with students to create garden rules everyone can follow. A few examples include: Walk, stay on the pathways, use tools appropriately, keep soil and insects in the garden, share tools and garden resources , and work together. The more children are involved in the creation of these rules, the more they can be held responsible in remembering them.

Create obvious pathways. The garden should be a place for children to explore freely without lots of "nos" and "don'ts." By creating obviously pathways, you'll help students to be able to easily understand where they should and should not step.

Use baking flour to guide planting or weeding. When working in large groups of students, it's helpful to define clear planting and weeding areas ahead of time. By sprinkling baking flour on the plants to weed or places to plant, you can create successful (stress free!) gardening experiences for classes.

Set aside a spot for sand, rock, and soil exploration. Students inevitably finish gardening activities at different times. Having garden areas set aside for exploration provides great back-up activities when working with large groups and encourages self-directed activities in the garden.

Recruit community support/volunteers. Identify potential community partners who can help with the garden or volunteer with your class during garden time. Is there a college or university in your area? Do you have a parent or grandparent in your class who would like to help? It is helpful to have extra hands in the garden, and is also a great way to connect students with their community.

Make a list of volunteer activities. Volunteers can help a class garden in lots of ways. From assisting with or leading weekly garden activities, to helping collect needed materials or maintain a class bed. Brainstorm a list of ways parents and grandparents can get involved and send it home with a sign up form for parents.

Show them how. A picture (or a demonstration) is worth a thousand words. Never tell kids something you could show them.

Establish a routine. Set aside a weekly or daily time when you go out to the garden with your class. Are there daily activities the class can do there? From eating snack to journal writing to documenting temperature or rainfall, the garden offers a space for many classroom activities. Having a regular time when your class goes to the garden also helps other teachers to set times for their class garden times and lets parents know when to keep their child's new white shoes at home.

Set the stage before you go. Talk with students in the classroom and explain steps of the garden activity before you go out to the garden. If students hear expectations and receive direction ahead of time, their time in the garden will be even more successful.

Involve students in all garden activities. You can get almost any gardening activity done with students, and every gardening task can be linked to a learning experience. Need to weed? Tell students about plant parts and explain why weeding the entire plant, including roots is important. Studying earth materials? Guide students in becoming soil scientists, examine the soil, and then add amendments. Kids will be more engaged and committed to the garden if they choose seeds, make signs, and engage in the garden in multiple ways.

Encourage small successes. Instant gratification helps a lot. Plant radishes or turnips even if you don't like them-they come up in three or four days and are ready to harvest in just a few weeks. Planting some "starts" along with seeds offer students plants to observe before their seeds sprout.

Use the garden to encourage leadership. Try to add responsibility and ownership to projects. ("Quincy is in charge of the wheelbarrow today.") Connecting with another class or grade level offers a great opportunity to pair up older kids with younger ones.

Connect the garden with curriculum. From journaling in the garden to reading a book to studying plant life cycles, you can connect the garden with almost any subject you are teaching. Using the garden to teach core curriculum requirements ensures that you'll incorporate gardening into weekly schedules and it will be a tool for teaching rather than an "extra." More than anything, connecting the garden with curriculum means that you can create meaningful learning experiences for students.

Let kids get dirty! Getting dirty is an integral part of growing up and a part of gardening. Find ways to make getting dirty okay. Do a dance of stomping and brushing off at the end before you come into the building. Bring hand towels to use to brush dirt off hands before coming inside. Wear gloves, etc.

Be a good model. Your role should be as facilitator, rather than as a leader who imposes direction. Model the behavior and skills you want to see. Get down and plant or weed with the kids. Ask Questions. Show enthusiasm for the garden and don't be afraid to get your own hands dirty!

Practice Reflection. After an activity, create opportunities to reinforce and build upon what everyone has learned. Talk about what went on, who did what, and who saw what. If you can, have them write things down or draw pictures. If they're too young, take dictation or create a class story.

Don't recreate the wheel. Educators have been gardening with children for a long time. Take advantage of other's experience and resources. Connect with other teachers in your school or community to see what has worked for them.

Downloads

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Establish garden rules. Just like the classroom, there should be simple and clear expectations for behavior. Work with students to create garden rules everyone can follow. A few examples include: Walk, stay on the pathways, use tools appropriately, keep soil [...]

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Turning the school's food waste into compost (Katie Daniels)

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Turning the school's food waste into compost (Katie Daniels)

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Instead of throwing away all of the food waste that the school produces, the students could turn it into compost for the garden. It also teaches the student about turning waste products into something beneficial.

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Composting food scraps at home is one of the most important aspects of home composting. Why? Because food scrap items such as vegetable and fruit waste, meal leftovers, coffee grounds, tea bags, stale bread, grains, and general refrigerator spoilage are an everyday occurrence in most households.

One of the "great waves" in municipal and home recycling is the concentration on what to do with the enormous amount of food waste generated in and out of the home, by businesses, or as a result of surplus farming. On the grand scale, it is estimated that about one-half of all food that is produced or consumed in the U.S. is discarded. The main culprits are spoilage and overproduction/surplus.

A typical household throws away an estimated 474 pounds of food waste each year. Put another way, that is about 1.5 lbs per person a day in the U.S. Food scraps generated by all households in the United States could be piled on a football field more than five miles (26,400 feet) high!

Up to 90 percent of waste thrown out by businesses like supermarkets and restaurants is food scraps. In fact, food scraps are the third largest segment of the waste stream with nearly 26 million tons generated each year. Of the overall wastestream, about 12% is food-related, behind paper and plastic.
CHECK WITH YOUR MUNICIPAL WASTE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT TO SEE IF YOU ARE ALLOWED TO COMPOST FOOD SCRAPS AT HOME!
Believe it or not, some cities have issues with the home composting of food scraps. Why? Because there is the concern over attracting rodents and other vermin (racoons, opossums, scavengers, etc.) to an inadequately secure compost bin. Therefore, a community may desire more control over food waste recycling.

Some communities are exploring curbside food waste disposal, using specially designed receptacles. They believe they can control the food wastestream better. Unfortunately, such food disposal has a flaw, from our perspective. Very often, food waste that should not be composted (see chart below) is comingled with appropriate compostable food scraps.

WHAT HOME FOOD WASTE CAN YOU COMPOST?

Not all food waste is created equal. You should know this or else you may have problems popping up in your compost bin or pile. BIG PROBLEMS! Actually, once you look at the chart below, commonsense will be your guide.

All your vegetable and fruit wastes, (including rinds and cores) even if they are moldy and ugly

Old bread, donuts, cookies, crackers, pizza crust, noodles: anything made out of flour!

Grains (cooked or uncooked): rice, barley, you name it

Coffee grounds, tea bags, filters

Fruit or vegetable pulp from juicing

Old spices

Outdated boxed foods from the pantry

Egg shells (crush well)

Corn cobs and husks (cobs breakdown very slowly)

Meat or meat waste, such as bones, fat, gristle, skin, etc.

Fish or fish waste

Dairy products, such as cheese, butter, cottage cheese, yogurt, cream cheese, sour cream, etc.

Grease and oils of any kind

They inbalance the otherwise nutrient-rich structure of other food and vegetation waste and breakdown slowly

They attract rodents and other scavenging animals

Meat attracts maggots

Your compost bin will smell to holy hell and back!

CREATE A HOME FOOD WASTE PLAN!

Now that you know what you can compost out of your kitchen, create a household plan. Use this plan from food preparation and storage to kitchen storage, and ultimately to the compost bin.
Food Scraps at the Stove
Ever wonder how those sauces or soups at your favorite restaurant are prepared? Yes, from vegetable scraps such as peels, skins, stalks, etc. Simply simmer a small pan of such scraps, as seen on the front burner in the photograph, for a few hours, let cool, then store in your refrigerator until you desire to make a soup or sauce. The stock is delicious, and you did a little vegie recycling to boot!

How to Store Compostable Food Scraps

Many people who have an in-sink garbage disposal don't even consider this fact: what they grind up ends up merging with the wastestream leaving their house and into the larger wastestream of their municipality. This definitely taxes municapl waste treatment facilties. Home composting is a decision to have the buck stop at your household.

Scraps can be stored in plastic bags in your refrigerator until used in your compost bin

Scraps can take up less space if you chop or shred them first during meal preparation

Scraps can be stored in a Kitchen Compost Pail until taken to your compost bin

The KITCHEN COMPOST PAIL
The best way to store food scraps until thrown into the compost bin is in a securely lidded Kitchen Compost Pail. This can be kept near the sink or beneath it. See photograph.

You can purchase a food scrap pail designed specifically to securely store food scraps. Look for one with a tight-fitting lid, adequate storage, aesthetic appeal, washable, and with a handle. You can also use a plastic container, such as a 1-quart yogurt container for small quantities of scraps.

Empty your containers daily or every few days, depending upon how much waste you generate, or to insure that no smell starts permeating the kitchen or home. You can always cover the scraps inside a container with a wet paper towel or newspaper to cut down on odor or gnats.

You can decide to empty your kitchen food scrap pail directly into your compost bin. This method is known as the Add-as-You-Go Pile, as thoroughly described on this website. Better yet is to use a 4-5 gallon lidded bucket to stockpile food scraps, as detailed below.

The FOOD SCRAP BUCKET

How simple can it be!

Pick Your Problem:

ODOR? FLIES? RODENTS?

1. Did you add one of the DON'Ts to your pile? Remove them and don't do it again, ever! Never! Or else!

2. Did you DUMP-AND-RUN: quickly disposed of food scraps on the top of your pile? Please take a moment each time to cover them with a small layer of brown materials (leaves, sawdust, compost, soil, activator)

3. Have you turned or intermixed the GREEN & BROWN ingredients of your pile lately? Please do so joyfully!

OTHER WAYS TO COMPOST FOOD SCRAPS

The Green Cone Composter

Raised-Bed Garden Integration

Add-as-You-Go Compost Pile

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Cortesia Sanctuary, C. Forrest McDowell, PhD and Tricia Clark-McDowell

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Composting food scraps at home is one of the most important aspects of home composting. Why? Because food scrap items such as vegetable and fruit waste, meal leftovers, coffee grounds, tea bags, stale bread, grains, and general refrigerator spoilage are an everyday occurrence in most households.

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YouTube tutorial for beginners (Katie Daniels)

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YouTube tutorial for beginners (Katie Daniels)

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As an introduction on how to garden, the students could watch an informational video on basic tips for beginner gardeners and take notes.
With this video the students could also get ideas on what kinds of flowers of herbs they want to plant in the garden.

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Basic Gardening Tips For Beginners - 32 Tips And Tricks For Taking Care Of Your Plants and Gardens

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Friends, share with You compilation of Basic Gardening Tips for Beginners Videos. Video Credits University of Wyoming Extension https://www.youtube.com/user/UWyoExtension/ vidaripollen https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuj5Mk_EWLR-_3w2OSFZf0Q Seeds 1. Starting Seed 2. Seed Selection 3. Testing Seed Viability 4. Understand Seed Packet Watering 5. Fall Watering Tips 6. Winter Watering Tips Soil 7. How To Stop Soil Erosion 8.