Download This Full Lesson: Lets Grow Carrots
Lesson Description: Students will work in small groups to research the life cycle of a carrot and learn about the growing process from a local farmer. Groups will make a poster with the steps for planting carrots in containers; then students will plant carrots and care for them until ready to harvest. After harvesting, students will make a carrot snack for the class to enjoy.
Note to Teachers: Carrot seeds are very small and will be challenging for younger students to handle. Many seed companies offer pelletized seeds to make planting more manageable. Fingerling carrots are small in size and mature faster than other varieties, which makes them a good choice for growing in the classroom. Keep in mind that the small varieties of carrots need 55-60 days to reach maturity. Many schools have outdoor gardens; if planting carrots outside, refer to online catalogs for more information about suitable varieties. See a list of seed sources at the end of this lesson.
Teacher Preparation:
- Explore a possible partnership with a local farm/farmer. Find one which will be willing to visit your classroom and talk about planting and harvesting carrots on a farm.
- Gather research materials about carrots.
- Gather supplies for growing carrots in the classroom.
- Gather several carrot recipes for simple carrot snacks.
Supplies
- Seeds (pelletized for ease of handling)
- Growing medium (potting soil)
- One plastic shoe box for each group with drainage holes drilled in the bottom. If seeds for longer carrots are to be planted, use deeper containers (such as buckets with drainage holes in the bottom).
Learning Objectives
The student will:
- Use at least two resources to research carrots. Be sure to note
- Soil & climate requirements
- Growing cycle
- Plant requirements
- Participate in planting, watering, monitoring and harvesting carrots.
- Take weekly measurements of growth of carrot tops and show on either a bar graph or line graph.
- Write a paragraph about the carrot growing experience.
Procedure:
- Students will work in small groups to research carrots. They will find information about
- Soil requirements
- Climate requirements
- Carrot production in their region
- Life cycle (or growth cycle)
- Uses of carrots
- Record their findings on chart paper
- Draw a poster showing the life cycle of their crop
- Following teacher directions, prepare container and plant carrot seeds. Be sure containers are labeled.
- After seeds have germinated, measure the tops (the part above ground) once a week, on the same day each week.
- Plot measurement information on a line graph.
- Have local farmer come to the classroom to talk about growing carrots and why carrots are an important crop.
- Participate in the harvest of the crop.
- Students should be able to explain how their harvesting techniques may be different from the farmers.
- Demonstrate food safety techniques (washing and refridgerating the carrots)
- Prepare carrot snack recipe and enjoy!
- Write a well-developed paragraph about the carrot growing experience.
Resources
- Johnny’s Selected Seeds at johnnyseeds.com Carrot variety: Adelaide, 55 days to maturity, length: 2 incnes, seeds available pelletized.
- Burpee Seeds at burpee.com Carrot variety: Caracas Hybrid, 57 days to maturity, length: 2-3 inches.
- Parks Seeds at parkseed.com Carrot variety: Little Finger Carrots, 60 days to maturity, length: 4 inches.
| Common Core ELA: |
W.3.7 Conduct short research projects that build knowledge about a topic. W.4.7 Conduct short research projects that build knowledge through investigation of different aspects of a topic. W.5.7 Conduct short research projects that use several sources to build knowledge through investigation of different aspects of a topic. |
| Common Core Math: | 3MD.B.4 Generate measurement data by measuring lengths using rules marked with halves and fourths of an inch. Show the data by making a line plot which is marked of in appropriate units – whole numbers, halves, or quarters. |