The Carrot Seed Activity

In this activity, the class will read The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss–a book about a boy who planted a carrot seed that no one thought would grow. From this students will discuss how the boy helped the seed grow in the book and will have the opportunity to plant their own carrot seeds. 

THE CARROT SEED

BRIEF SUMMARY

Read a story about a boy who planted a carrot seed that no one thought would grow. He takes good care of the seed and soon it begins to grow into a beautiful carrot. Plant carrot seeds with the children, talk about how to take care of them, and talk about how people take care of themselves to be healthy.

OBJECTIVES

After completing this activity, children will be able to:

• understand the different things that plants need to grow (water, sun, soil)
• understand that people need different things to grow

METHODS

Read the story The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss.

Show the children real carrots and/or pictures of carrots.

Give the children crayons to color their books. Talk about:

• What did the little boy do to help his carrot grow?
• What do vegetables need to grow? (nutrients—soil, water, light)
• Do people need the same things as vegetables to grow?
• What things do people need that plants don’t?

Plant carrot seeds. Talk about how to take care of them, what they need to grow, how they grow.

DISCUSS

• Discuss different ways to eat carrots—cooked, raw, in other food (stew, salads, etc.)
• Talk about the size/shape/color/taste of carrots:
• What are they like?
• Are they crunchy or soft? Big or small?
• What other things are orange?
• Talk about how other vegetables and fruits grow. (vines, trees, underground, on bushes)

MATERIALS

• Book: The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss. Published by Harper Trophy, 1989. ISBN: 0-06-443210-6.
• carrots or pictures of carrots
• small pots or cups
• soil
• carrot seeds
• water