Ideas for Winter Teaching

Many teachers have a hard time teaching using garden-related ideas in the winter because there is no outside access to the garden, but there are plenty of things to keep kids busy while still keeping the garden in mind!

One idea is to plant a Windowsill Garden.  Simply collect all of your supplies, put a few small rocks in the bottom of the terra cotta pots for drainage, fill with dirt, and plant the seeds.  All that is needed are the following items:

•7" terra cotta pots - $27.80/20•Potting soil - $17.20 for 4 - 20 lb. bags•Small rocks (for drainage) - Free•Packets of seed - $20/10

Total Price:  $65.00

Another idea is to watch seeds sprout in a ziplock plastic bag.  Wet the paper towels just until moist throughout. Fold and place them into a plastic sandwich bag and set 5 seeds on the inside of the plastic but on the paper towel. Set the bags of seeds on a windowsill ledge and allow to sprout.  The kids would get a big kick out of this because they get to see the results very quickly.

Materials:

•Sandwich bags - $8/box

•Seed Packets - $20/10

•Paper towels - $0.67/1 roll

•Water

Total Price:  $28.67

Another easy classroom activity is to make a terrarium.  Place 4 small rocks in the bottom of a mason jar. Fill 1/2 way full with soil, and plant seeds/plants. Set in a window to grow.

Materials:

•Mason jars - $18/24-4 oz jars

•Rocks for drainage - Free

•Potting soil - $4.30/1-20 oz bag

•Plants - $72/24 succulent plants

oor $24/12 packets of seed

Total Price: $94.30 w/ plants

    or $46.30 w/ seeds

No matter what your age, crafts are always a big hit.  Everyone gets to come up with their own unique ideas, and it is a great way to get ready for the garden! Here are a few ideas:

•Decorate pots for-

    oGifts

    oPlant people

•Hand-painted plant markers

•Homemade Whirligigs

•Birdfeeders

Resources:

University of Vermont Extension. Winter Gardening Activities for Kids. http://pss.uvm.edu/ppp/articles/wintrfun.htm

Stark, Loni. Gardening Project: Planting herbs for a windowsill garden. http://www.starkinsider.com/2010/05/weekend-gardening-project-planting-herbs-for-a-window-sill-garden.html

Lyon, Jennie. How to:  Make a recycled glass terrarium. http://www.inhabitots.com/how-to-make-a-recycled-glass-terrarium/