Proud Planters in LEU

The month of March signals the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere with spring symbolizing new life and new beginnings. With that in mind, this month’s LEU focus has been on plants, their life cycle, parts of a plant, what plants need to grow, and beyond. 

The students developed green fingers and got hands-on experience with growing plants as they cultivated their own aloe vera plants using all the necessary elements that it requires. This was alongside using a wide range of materials to explore the topic further. Some of the students brought in different types of plants and presented these to the class, and excitingly we got to taste some of the varieties on offer including mint and basil – yummy! 

All of the real-life exposure to plant life has really ignited an interest in the topic and the students are motivated to spend time during the work cycle investigating and researching botanical delights.  

In the Montessori classroom, children are introduced to the care of plants early on. Montessori classrooms are often filled with plants and are intentionally included as a part of the Montessori environment to promote beauty, peacefulness, and the importance of our natural world. Plants connect children with nature and through interactions with plants, children develop a sense of awe and wonder for the natural world which fosters curiosity, creativity, and imagination. It also instills a sense of responsibility as part of the practical life component as the children are required to care for and nurture the plants.