Vocabulary, spelling, and writing lessons are easily incorporated into data collection. The hands-on process of measuring their own plants makes learning how to use a ruler a much more personal and important skill. Simple graphs can be constructed when the children cut pieces of string or ribbon corresponding to the height of their plants. Students then tape these strings on the blackboard so everyone can see the variations in plant height and compare the height of their plants to that of other students. Friendly competition abounds as students strive to cultivate the tallest or fastest plant.
Young children love to ask many earnest questions about why plants grow the way they do.
Fortunately, Wisconsin Fast Plants materials provide an easy and practical way for teachers to help children find the answers. Wisconsin Fast Plants materials were used in the pilot project in our peer education program, called Science Buddies, in which high school students prepared individual planting kits and lesson plans for elementary students. Working with groups of three or four, the high school students spent an afternoon in an elementary classroom. They were responsible for introducing the plant unit and helping the younger children with the planting procedure. In middle school, you can use Wisconsin Fast Plants materials to investigate many aspects of plant growth.