Elementary Curriculum: Easy Step-by-Step

One of the most impactful projects we have worked on is the presentations to elementary age classes about native plants. To make such presentations more widely available, we thought it was important to release the steps and materials that we used to educate the students.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the importance of native plants
• Practice native seed sowing techniques
• Reflect on the role humans play in their environment

Materials needed:

• Seeds
  • We used Purple Coneflower and Wild Bergamot because they are easy to grow and they are popular among pollinators.
  • This project needs about 10 times the number of seeds as there are students (300 seeds for a class of 30)
  • I recommend collecting seeds from a local prairie (such as Quarry Hill) or using the site Prairie Moon, which has a great variety of native seeds.
• Individual Seed Containers
  • Students tend to want to plant more seeds than necessary in the small pots, so it can be helpful to hand out the proper number of seeds to each individual student. We used these small portion containers.
• Pots
  • For each student to plant there own pot, they need to be big enough for the student to easily spoon soil into (about 2-3 in diameter).
  • Aim to buy one pot per student, along with a few extra just in case.
  • We used these biodegradable pots to help reduce waste, but they can mold if kept moist.
• Soil
  • One package of seed starting soil is more than enough for a class of students. For a class of thirty, we used about half of one of these Miracle Gro seed starting mix packages.
• Spoons
  • To scoop the soil into pots, the students will need spoons. Some classes we had one spoon for each student, but others were able to share a spoon between a couple students.
  • We bought plastic spoons for this project.
• Waterproof containers for soil
  • The students need soil in containers for them to scoop out of. These containers should be waterproof as the soil must be moistened before sowing the seeds.
  • We used these containers. They serve about 4 students each. Bigger versions would serve about 8 students.
• Tablecloths (optional)
  • Kids are messy! Especially with damp dirt and sharpies. Tablecloths like these are highly recommended.
• Labels (optional)
  • If the students want to keep track of their own pot and what type of seeds they put in it, they will need labels for their pots. The labels came with the package of pots we bought, but labels are easy to order online or the students can write on Popsicle sticks.
  • A writing instrument, such as a sharpie, is needed to add the names to the label.
• Spritz watering cans (optional)
  • If the teacher will be taking care of the seedlings in class, they will need a watering can such as this one, which can lightly mist the seedlings until they are strong enough for a regular watering can.
• A Presentation
  • The most important part of this project is informing the younger generations of why native plants are important! Teachers can use our template, or create their own.
  • Recommended topics to include in the presentation are under “Presentation Recommendations.”

Material set-up:

• Seed Containers
  • The most time consuming part of the set-up process is putting 5-10 seeds in each container.
  • We made containers with both Purple Coneflower and Bee Balm, so that the students could pick which flower to grow.
• Moisten the soil
  • There should be enough soil in each container to fill a few pots, but not enough to create a large mess.
  • Once the soil is in the container, warm water must be added to the soil to create a moist environment for the seeds to germinate. There should be enough water that if the soil is squeezed, water comes out (and the soil stays together), but not enough for there to be standing water.
• Other
  • It is important that tablecloths are set out before the students arrive. The seed containers, soil, labels, and spoons can be set out beforehand if the students are able to leave them alone, but can easily be handed out after the presentation.

Presentation Recommendations

• Our Presentation
  • The presentation that Annika uses can be found here. We recommended looking at the presenter’s notes or the script.
• Introduction
  • To get the students engaged, we asked them to raise their hand if they had ever gardened before or want a garden when the grow up. Further, a personal connection to native plants is a nice touch.
• Why Native Plants
  • This is the main reason for the project. A brief, informative section on the importance of native wildflowers is a necessity for the presentation.
• Current Project
  • The students will want to know what they will be doing with the materials and whether they will be taking the pots home (or planting them in the school’s garden). If they will be taking them home, some care instructions are also necessary.
• Planting Instructions
  • Before listing the instructions, it is imperative to note the students should stay in their seats and wait for all the instructions. Here, the presenter should explain the steps the student will take and review any decisions they need to make (such as the type of seeds they will plant).

Planting the Seeds

• Filling the pots
  • Students should fill the pots with soil and pat the top layer until it is flat and firm. The soil should then be about a quarter inch below the lip of the pot.
• Sowing the seeds
  • Make sure that each student knows which seeds they have, the sowing instructions (which is plant dependent), and the proper number of seeds to put into their pot.
• Labels
  • Have them label their pots with their name and their species of plant.

If you are in the area and would like to have Annika present to your class, please fill out the contact form. If you decide to follow these steps in your own project, we would love for you to contact us as well!