Students make their own Chia pet-like grass figure.
Grades(s) K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Subjects(s) Science
Objective
Students will be able to identify what plants need to survive.
Materials
1. grass seed
2. baby food jar
3. googly eyes
4. potting soil
5. water
6. knee-high stocking (Make sure you use ones without a reinforced toe.)
7. material/fabric, pipe cleaners, colored puff balls, other misc. craft items
may be useful:
plastic spoon
wide-mouthed funnel (empty toilet paper tubes work well)
Lesson
1. Place some grass seeds in the toe of the stocking. (The toe of the stocking will become the Sammy's head and the grass will be its hair.)
2. Pack a handful (one half to two thirds of a cup) of soil in the toe of the stocking, on top of the seeds. (This is where the funnel comes in handy.) Make sure that the ball of soil is slightly bigger than the mouth of the baby food jar.
3. Tie a knot in the hose under the ball of soil.
4. Soak the entire head for 10-15 minutes. This helps the seeds germinate faster.
5. Place the top of the hose (which is the bottom of the Soil Sammy) in the baby food jar. Fill the jar with water. Rest the head of the Soil Sammy on the mouth of the jar.
6. Decorate! My students used puff balls for the nose and short lengths of pipe cleaner for the mouths in addition to the googly eyes. You can also make a shirt out of scrap material, add buttons, ears, etc.
7. Keep in a sunny place. Water as needed. Before long the Sammy's hair will need a trim.
Special thanks to the Cook County (Illinois) Farm Bureau for this awesome craft idea!
Assessment
Discussion throughout the activity and upon completion of the craft will determine if the students understand the needs of a plant.
Lesson Extensions
Earth Dayby What an awesome day it was! My school is in the process of standardized testing...ugh (not the awesome