This fun activity starter helps children better understand what plants need to grow.
This Earth Rangers Classroom Activity Starter will get you and your class started on your next activity. Our “build-your-class-activity” tool will give you ideas — you take it from there!
Grade Level: K-3
Learning Objectives:
– Be able to analyze and identify the right environmental conditions for a given seed to grow
During this activity, students will:
– Gather materials needed to plant seeds
– Make predictions about how/where their seeds will grow
– Test their predictions
– Collect data
– Share their learning
Start it up
To help you get started, here are some ideas for building and setting up a birdfeeder:
6: PICK BIRDFEEDER MATERIALS
- From a nature walk (e.g. pinecone feeders)
- From other natural sources (e.g. straw, wooden birdhouses)
- From recycled sources (e.g. leftover pumpkin feeders, clean bottles/cartons/crates)
- From recyclable materials (e.g. aluminum foil trays)
7: PICK A FOOD SOURCE
- Birdseed (Check for allergens)
- Suet
- Liquid nectar
8: PICK A LOCATIONS
- Front or back yard of school
- Under a tree
- Near a source of water
- Other:
To help you give your students direction, below are some resources for general information:
- Nature Canada offers some tips on how to keep birds safe at birdfeeders including which types of food are appropriate.
- The Canadian Wildlife federation gives some information on how to provide a backyard feeding station for birds.
Start it up
4: PICK A SEED SOURCE
- From pollinator-friendly plants that attract bees, butterflies or hummingbirds
- Saved from last year’s school garden
- From local farms
- From other plants native to your area
- From cores, pods, or pits of leftover fruits or vegetables
5: PICK A POT
- Paper egg cartons
- Container from the recycling, i.e. yogurt container
- Reused plastic seed-starter trays (consistent size)
- Commercial compostable seed-starter trays
6: PICK A LOCATION
- Window
- Grow lamp
- Outdoors (check the plant hardiness zone)
Keep it up
7: ADD COMMUNITY
- Take the seedlings home to grow in home gardens.
- Transfer seedlings outside to a school garden.
- Invite a local farmer to talk about tips for growing seeds.
- Ask a local garden centre to give advice on the best planting locations.
- Invite an Elder to share traditional knowledge and practices for seed-saving.
8: ADD THE ANIMAL COMMUNITY
Look for pollinators and other critters who appreciate these plants in their habitat, for example, Monarch caterpillars like milkweed.
9: ADD EXCITEMENT
10: ADD AN EARTH RANGERS MISSION FOR HOME