The cost of seeds, plant supplies, flower pots and other plant accessories is $198, including shipping and <a target="new" href="http://www.donorschoose.org/html/fulfillment.htm" onclick="g_openWindow('http://www.donorschoose.org/html/fulfillment.htm', 300, 800, 'fulfillwindow');return false;">fulfillment</a>.
This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
As spring rapidly approaches, my kindergarten students yearn to get outside and see the changes taking place in the warming world around them. In addition to taking students out to observe these changes, I want to bring nature into the classroom, so that my students can study the life cycles of plants and butterflies.
Students will begin by reading books about gardens, caterpillars and butterflies and then discussing what they already know about these animals. We will then discuss what kinds of habitats and food we will need to help them survive and grow. Upon receiving the materials for growing plants and raising butterflies, students will begin their observation and exploration of each living thing. With the plants, students will get to choose which kinds of seeds they plant, care for them by watering, and observe them growing from a seed into a plant. We will begin by starting the seeds inside, as the weather will be too cold for outdoor growth. Our classroom has windows that don't allow much light, so we will need a couple of small lights to bring light to our garden. They will watch the caterpillars grow and make their chrysalids, eventually emerging into butterflies. Students will get to talk, draw, and write about the changes that are taking place. Once the weather gets warm enough, students will move their indoor garden outside, planting some of their plants in a small outdoor garden space in front of the school. After the butterflies have emerged from their chrysalids, students will release their new friends into their outdoor garden. The students can watch the garden grow and thrive as summer begins.
Since many of my 25 students may never have had an experience with gardening at home, this project will give them a chance to explore something unfamiliar and enjoy being outdoors at the same time.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. C. and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.