Garden Lessons: Hydroponics- Part I (6th Grade)

 
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Grades: 6th Grade

Time Needed: 30-45 Minutes

Lesson Objective(s): Students begin their hydroponics project by learning what kind of important information is on seed packets

Project Curriculum Standards: Early civilizations (India, Egypt, China and Mesopotamia) had unique governments, economic systems, social structures, religions, technologies and agricultural practices and products. The cultural practices and products of these early civilizations can be used to help understand the Eastern Hemisphere today.

Supplies Needed

  • Bin of seeds

  • Large “Seeding” Chart (include all categories from Seed Packet Worksheet)

  • Pencils, markers

  • Seed Packet Worksheet

  • “Giant seed packet” poster

  • Class Chromebooks

  • Ziplock bags (enough for 1 per person)

  • Snack: cabbage, lettuce, & kale salad with olive oil, salt, & pepper.

  • bowls & forks

  • Harmonica

Introduction (10 mins):

Explain instructions: Since you have the hydroponics tower, we’re going to learn about the seeds we’re going to plant.

  • Give every table a bin of seeds to look through. Each student can pick one seed packet. The rules:

    • can’t be open previously

    • can’t be a root vegetable

    • can’t be the same as someone else at your table

    • can’t be a fruit

  • Pass out Seed Worksheet

  • Explain that they have to find this info for their seeds. Do one example, using “giant seed packet” poster together.

Activity (20 mins):

  • Everyone writes name on worksheet & seed packet. Remind students to never get the seeds wet, or they will germinate and then die without soil.

  • Students work on Seed Worksheet. If they aren’t sure of an answer, encourage them to research the seed online to see if they can find an answer.

  • Pass out snack while students are working on seed worksheet

  • Once student is finished with their worksheet, they can have it checked by the teacher and then fill out their section of the class seeding poster

  • They can put their seed packet (with their name written on it) in their plastic bag and keep them in a safe spot for planting next Garden Class.

Wrap up (5 mins):

  • Circle up. Discuss with the students; What were you surprised by? Was there anything that was hard to find? etc.



Garden LessonsTeresa Woodard