Plants in the Classroom

Goals | Advantages | Disadvantages | NJCCCS Educational Goals | Selection | Future Care | Materials Needed | Environmental Considerations

• To develop skills of observation/comparison
• To learn about the diversity of plant life
• To learn about plant form and function
• To learn about the life cycle of plants
• To discuss plant-animal interactions

Advantages

• Complete life cycle can be observed
• Experimentation possible
• Hand pollination feasible
• Allows for hands-on experience
• Consistent with learning goals, e.g., New Jersey Core Curriculum content Standards

• Often stressful classroom conditions
• Weekend/Holiday stress
• Small number of appropriate species
• Time consuming demands
• Long term project (unless using Fast Plants)

Considerations

• Project's educational goals
• Responsibilities involved
• Where to obtain live plants or seeds
• How to maintain plants alive over long holidays

Educational Goals (NJCCCS for Science)

• All students will gain an understanding of the structure, characteristics, and basic needs of organisms (5.6)
• All students will investigate the diversity of life (5.7)

• Comes with kit (no selection!)
• Avoid poisonous or threatened plants
• Be certain:
• Seed lot is for current year
• It can grow under your classroom conditions
• Complete life cycle in a reasonable time
• It does not become too big!

• Collect seeds and store for future
• Keep in classroom
• Send home (check with parents first)
• Do not plant outside; unlikely to thrive

• Container
• Size depends on species grown
• Drain holes and tray for collecting runoff
• Soil: potting soil or soil/sand mix
• Water: tap water okay
• Fertilizer: slow release pellets or liquid

Environmental Consideration

• Light source
• Supplement with lamps if room is too dark
• Keep away from direct light
• Except for Fast Plants, need night/day cycle
• Watering system
• Regular watering; prevent drying-out
• Wicking system okay for small plants
• Do NOT overwater