How can you tell if a plant is happy or needs help? 

Materials:

• Several small plants (some healthy, some wilted or dry)

• Magnifying glasses

• Watering cans or cups

• Spray bottles

• Pictures of happy and sad plants

• Chart paper and markers

Instructions:

• Show the children different plants. Some healthy, some that need help.

• Ask them to look closely with magnifying glasses.

• Compare the real plants to the pictures of happy and sad plants.

• As a group, talk about what they notice (color, leaves, soil, etc.).

• Let children suggest and try ways to help the plants (water, gentle touch, moving to sunlight).

• Make a chart of “How to Tell if a Plant Is Happy or Needs Help” with their ideas and.( The chart depends on how want to do it)

• Display the chart to remind everyone how to care for plants.

Powerful InterACTions - PK3:

• What do you see on this plant?

• How can you tell if it’s happy or sad?

• What can you do to help a sad plant?

• What colors do you see on the plant?

• How many plants do we have? (math)

Powerful InterACTions - PK4:

• What signs show a plant is healthy or needs help?

• How does water or sunlight make a difference?

• How can you be a plant helper at home or school?

• What do you notice about the leaves or soil?

• How many sad plants do you see? (math)