Haystack Lesson Plan
Haystack is a great title to demonstrate changing seasons and changing technologies. Students enjoy observing the changes the grass goes through.
OBJECTIVE
Students will "recognize changes in appearance that animals and plants go through as the seasons change." --Massachusetts Science and Technology/Engineering Curriculum Framework
MATERIALS
- Haystack by Bonnie and Arthur Geisert
- Timothy grass seed
- potting soil
- hand spade
- watering can
- planting tray (8" X 11" or larger should do)
SET UP AND PREPARE
The actual planting takes approximately 20 minutes, but students will be watching their hay grow over a number of weeks. Make sure you don't have any students with extreme hay allergies.
DIRECTIONS
Working as a group, have students use the spade to put the potting soil into the tray, and spread it out. After sprinkling the grass seed on the soil, crumble some more soil on top, gently patting it down. After students have watered the seed, place the tray in a warm and sunny spot.
Students can observe the grass as it grows, making sure to water it as needed. When the grass is tall enough (check the information on the seed package) use a pair of scissors to harvest it and let it dry, making hay.
LESSON EXTENSION
Have students act out parts from the book, taking on the roles of anything from farmers haying, to the animals.
Related Resources
http://memorialhall.mass.edu/collection/itempage.jsp?itemid=765&img=2
http://memorialhall.mass.edu/collection/itempage.jsp?itemid=3094
www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/catalog/authordetail.cfm?authorID=1750
Jeremy Brunaccioni is a kindergarten teacher in Massachusetts.
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