STC Plant Growth and Development

Lesson 3: Planting the Seeds

Kennewick School District

Permission to use granted. Copyright by Wisconsin Fast

Plants, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Illustrated by Amy Kelley.

Materials listFor each student: Activity Sheet 2: How to

Plant Wisconsin Fast Plants Seeds Instructions and Checklist.

1 tray for supplies 1 planter quad 1 3-oz. cup of potting mix 12 fertilizer pellets 1 toothpick 1 paper towel 1 spoon 4 wicks 8 Wisconsin Fast Plants seeds 1 planter label

For every 2 students: 1 pair of forceps 1 cup of water and

dropper

For the class 6 to 8 sponges 2 dishpans of water 1 plastic lined trash can 1 dustpan and whisk

broom

STC Plant Growth and Development Lesson 3: Planting the Seeds

Distribution Station Walk carefully Take turns Read the labels

You will be sharing some of the supplies with a partner, but you will be planting the seeds on your own.

STC Plant Growth and Development Lesson 3: Planting the Seeds

Step 1: Pick up all of your supplies from the distribution station. Be sure you have these items before you begin planting:

1 planter quad

1 spoon

1 cup of potting mix

4 wicks

12 fertilizer pellets

8 Wisconsin Fast Plants seeds

1 toothpick

1 planter label

1 pair of forceps

1 paper towel

STC Plant Growth and Development Lesson 3: Planting the Seeds

Step 2: Place one wick in each section of the planter quad. Use your forceps to pull the wick through the hole until the tip sticks out about 1 centimeter.

STC Plant Growth and Development Lesson 3: Planting the Seeds

Step 3: Fill each section of the quad halfway with potting mix.

STC Plant Growth and Development Lesson 3: Planting the Seeds

Step 4: Add three fertilizer pellets to each section. Look closely. The fertilizer pellets are much larger than the seeds.

STC Plant Growth and Development Lesson 3: Planting the Seeds

Step 5: Fill each section of the quad to the top with potting mix. Press it down a little with your fingers.

STC Plant Growth and Development Lesson 3: Planting the Seeds

Step 6: Put a drop of water on your tray and dip your toothpick in it. Use the wet toothpick to pick up one seed. Place the seed just below the potting mix and cover it. Plant a second seed in this section in the same way. Repeat until there are two seeds in each section of the planter.

STC Plant Growth and Development Lesson 3: Planting the Seeds

Step 7: Water very gently, a drop or two at a time, until water drips from the bottom of each wick.

STC Plant Growth and Development Lesson 3: Planting the Seeds

Step 8: Write your name and today’s date on the planter label and place it in the planter.

STC Plant Growth and Development Lesson 3: Planting the Seeds

Step 9: Place your quad under the light bank with the label facing out. Double-check to see that your planter is completely on the water mat and that the quad is about 2 to 3 inches from the lightbulbs. If you could see the inside of each planter this is what it would look like.

STC Plant Growth and Development Lesson 3: Planting the Seeds

Step 10: Return all leftover supplies to the distribution station.

Step 11: Clean up your work space.

STC Plant Growth and Development Lesson 3: Planting the Seeds

Cut apart Activity Sheet 2 so that each step you followed to plant your seeds is separate. Glue the steps in the correct order into your science notebook.

STC Plant Growth and Development Lesson 3: Planting the Seeds

What do you think will happen to the seeds over the next 24 hours?

Write your predictions on the left-hand side of your science notebook.

STC Plant Growth and Development Lesson 3: Planting the Seeds

Class predictions for the first 24 hours…

STC Plant Growth and Development Lesson 3: Planting the Seeds

Reading Selection: Fast Plants for Fast Times

STC Plant Growth and Development Lesson 3: Planting the Seeds

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STC Plant Growth and Development Lesson 3: Planting the SeedsS