Marigolds and Tomatoes Grow With Students
By Ryan Haroldson, Principal, Great Lakes Elementary School
Alexis Luoma and Kegen Sumption with their Marigolds and Cherry Tomatoes
First graders at Great Lakes Elementary study a variety of life cycles as part of their science curriculum. Students have been engaged specifically in learning about the life cycles of butterflies, apple trees, and frogs.
Students in Mrs. Walt’s first grade have planted Marigolds and Cherry Tomatoes to continue studying the life cycle of plants. Great Lakes Principal, Ryan Haroldson explained said, “At Great Lakes we strive to create lifelong, passionate learners. Activities of this nature provide students the opportunity to peak their individual curiosities with the hope that they (students) will pursue their areas of passion deeper.”
Alexis Luoma and Kegen Sumption standing in front of the classroom greenhouse
From the writing journal entries to the planting of the Marigolds and Cherry Tomatoes, students were engaged and excited. First grader, Alexis Luoma explained that her favorite part was, “that we could learn about plants and probably be scientists when we grow up.” Another first grader, Kegen Sumption’s favorite part was “just putting soil in the pots and putting the seeds in.”
Student Journal entry where student documented their observations
During the course of this science unit students are classifying, observing, predicting, recording data, measuring, and learning the life cycle and parts of the plants. Much of this information was recorded in each student’s journal. As the school year comes to a close in early June, first graders will be taking home a pot with a Cherry Tomato plant and Marigolds in it to enjoy for the summer!
