Was school optional today? I only had 15 students! Talk about make up work! I feel all mixed up. I didn’t want to go too far ahead since so many were out. I didn’t want to hold back for the ones that came! So we went for it! I guess it will be a week of catching up for us! I think allergies are to blame. I did have a nice calm day though…………….sigh………..
This weekend I recreated my seed to plant unit that I always do around Earth Day. There are activities about the Earth, recycling, soil, seeds, planting seeds, growing seeds, plants, and a craftivity too! I got to take my old hodge podge not teacher friendly unit and recreate it the way I want it to be! Click the picture to check it out!
Do you do the seed thing? Do you use baggies taped to the window? Do you soak your seeds before giving them to the students? Do you plant extras and switch them out when your student’s baby seeds don’t grow? Just wondering…
After we study the soil and seeds we plant the seeds in the soil and place the trays on the windowsill.
I put up a cute sign for our seed babies. Click to download the sign for your seed babies too!
I always plant extras and switch them out to avoid broken hearts. I just can’t stand it. I tell them that all three seeds may not grow but hopefully at least one will.
We fill out our seed observation log each day or every couple days at first since not a lot happens. It is best to plant on a Thursday or Friday so the weekend can take up some of your germination time. Otherwise the students get REALLY impatient!!!
Last year I told my class to talk to their seed babies and give them some love. One of my girls Screamed, “Grow You Dumb Plant!” after three days of waiting. Poor seed shot up in the night out of fear I think.
The unit has more than just seeds and planting! Can you tell I am excited?
Here’s another freebie. I always do it with my Rock Unit, but I left it out so I just decided to make it a freebie. Click the picture to download. If you like it and want more activities like it, check out my rockin with rocks unit.
Dear Teacher Diary…
Bulletin Boards & BFFs
The Real Rocks of Limestone County
Skyping Good Time!
Love this seed sign! LOL! And I only had 10 kids! What's going on?!?!?
http://www.mrswheelerfirst.blogspot.com
Your units are adorable! Where did the cute rock clipart come from? Love him!
Buzzing with Ms. B
I made him!!! He's my first original graphic. You just made my day!
Love this! Cute job on the clipart!
Jennifer
First Grade Blue SKies
Not me… all 20 of my babies were there! 🙂
Reagan,
Thank you for the very cute baby seed sign! I do not soak my seeds. My kids each get 4 seeds and an unscented baby wipe. They fold the baby wipe so it will fit in a zipper bag. Then they lay the seeds on top of the baby wipe and zip the bag shut. We then tape them in the window. It has just enough moisture using the wipes. This year I had to move to a window that faces northeast (instead of my southwest one…) Hopefully they will do as well as in the past. Thanks again! Liz 🙂
Great job on your clip art! Everything looks so good! I want both these units!
Sarah
Sarah's First Grade Snippets
We plant in plastic cups so the kids can see the roots. I use green bean seeds – they grow fast. I definitely switch out seeds — I want all my kids to have a plant!! We took ours home on Friday and everyone had something – if not a plant, a root!! 🙂
I cracked up at the "Grow, you dumb plant!". I may have snorted.
A Teeny Tiny Teacher
I had a lot of kiddos absent today too. Crazy flu virus is going around 🙁
Jodi
fun-in-first.blogspot.com
15 students?? That sounds like my class….. 😉 Except when I am missing a few I get down below 10 and it just seems ridiculous.
Anyway… when I student taught we grew marigolds! I totally planted extras and switched them out. And we did what Kristin did with the plastic cups. It went super well and we had a really sunny window. In my room this year though we get NO natural light so I don't know what to do! Maybe find a shade plant to grow? Boo.
Marvelous Multiagers!
All of my 26… yes… 26 little bodies were there today also.
These look darling!!! You're so talented!!
Lory
Lory's Page
Your resources are so precious!! When I was in school my plant never did grow, and my teacher didn't secretly exchange my plant for a new one. I was heart broken and I can relate to the student that threatened her plant to grow. If I ever teach this unit I would definitely plant extras to avoid the tears as well!!
Amy
The Crazy Adventures of a University Graduate
The Crazy Adventures of Two Quilters
Cute Stuff Reagan 🙂 I love that you made your own clip art. I have thought of doing that often.
Sue
theverybusykindergarten
Love the freebies- thanks for sharing! We will start our seeds after next week's Spring Break. I only had one of mine absent yesterday, but two more went home sick. Several will have to catch up today!
You are so awesome! Your kiddos are blessed to have such a funny, loving, and creative teacher…you may be a dream squasher at times but your are a Seed Super-hero!
Have you ever made the little greenhouses to put in the windows? They are so cute! =)
Heather
Heather's Heart
This is very cute!! I love your seed sign!! I would definitely plant extra seeds to exchange for my firsties' seeds that didn't grow.
Jennifer
The First Grade Dream
Baby seeds sleeping . . . that is AdOrAbLe . . . what a blessing it is to be a sprout in your class!!!
Barbara