Growing up in a small coastal town, students spend a great deal of time outdoors and at the beach. Given the many learning opportunities that such an environment can provide, engaging students in a sustained, environmental service project seemed like a natural complement to lessons focusing on the interaction of organisms within a habitat. This…

The authors describe how grade 4 students carried out an investigation about growing cucumbers (members of the curcurbit or gourd family) where they read information sources about seed variety; germinated seeds under different conditions; measured and partitioned growing spaces; collected and analyzed data on germination, true leaf growth, and…

At the start of each school year at Oil City Elementary Magnet School in Oil City, Louisiana, eager students ask, "What's our theme this year?" This curiosity comes from their expectations that they will study a different environmental concept each year. Kindergarten classes learn to "Be a Friend to the Earth," followed by life…

Provides instructions for planting a variety of common plants including avocados, and sweet potatoes, oranges, and onions. Discusses key concepts to develop. (MA)

Suggests six reasons why plants should be grown in science classrooms and gives instructions for constructing miniterrariums from plastic, two-liter, nonreturnable soft-drink bottles. (SK)

Describes a gardening project linking science and geography that creates an opportunity to learn about Native American culture. Includes instruction for implementing such a project. (NB)

Describes an inner-city project which utilizes a skit, group study, and audiovisual aids and textbooks to teach gardening to elementary students. (LS)

The current popularity of house plants can provide the basis for numerous classroom activities. Students can make flower pots from tubs and cans, chart plant growth on a graph, make mint sherbert, or expand their vocabulary by learning plant descriptors. Details and more suggestions are included in this article. (MA)

Describes a procedure for starting tree cuttings from woody plants, explaining "lag time," recommending materials, and giving step-by-step instructions for rooting and planting. Points out species which are likely candidates for cuttings and provides tips for teachers for developing a unit. (JM)

Describes several hands-on science activities which focus on the use of apples. Suggests several ways of using apples to teach classification. Proposes a field trip to an orchard as a culminating activity. (TW)

Describes an activity where students research Native American and colonial uses of herbs, study herb folklore, and observe differences between herb seeds and plants. (PR)