Growing Greatness

First, the students will plant several classroom gardens. One garden will be planted with pre-purchased potting soil from the store. The second garden will be planted with identical plants but will use soil that the class has created from composting. Afterthat, the students will work in small group teams to record data about the plants' growth cycles on a flip camera. They will also record their predictions and observations about how the different types of soil will effect the plants' growth. Students will same their video files on classroom computers and flash drives. When the garden plants have reached maturity, the students will work together to compile and analyze their data. They will use their recordings from the flip camera to create multimedia presentations using the flip camera software on the classroom, or computer lab, computers. The presentations will be saved onto flashdrives. The students will also be able to create and blog on Wikis with their group members, about the project and what they're learning. As the project culminates, the students will share their presentations with the class on the smartboard.