Brief Description

Students hold a fund-raising activity to raise money to buy seeds, plants, or tree seedlings to beautify school grounds.

Objectives

Students

• define the word fund-raiser.
• choose the seeds and plants they want to put in the schoolyard.
• research the costs for the seeds and plants.
• choose and organize a fund-raising activity.
• work together in a cooperative group.

Keywords

Earth day, fund-raiser, seeds, trees, plants, environment

Materials Needed

None

Lesson Plan

This project should be completed over several lessons. The teacher decides the length of time needed to complete the project; the length of the project depends on the ages and abilities of the students. You may want to ask parents or members of your school's PTA/PTO for assistance on this project.

Lesson 1

• Discuss the meaning of the word fund-raiser and different types of fund-raising activities. Write students' ideas on the board. Ideas might include a bake sale, a used book sale, or a walk-a-thon.
• Tell students that they are going to hold a fund-raiser to raise money to buy plants and/or a tree to be planted on school grounds. Discuss different types of plants and/or trees to consider.
• Have students use library or online sources to research information about the plants they are considering. Two suggested sites:

  National Arbor Day Foundation
  The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Clearinghouse

• Have students research costs for plants, seeds, and gardening utensils, such as shovels or watering cans. Let students determine how much money they need to raise for the project.

Lesson 2

• Let students choose the type of fund-raising activity they want to sponsor. Help students plan the fund-raiser. For older students, organize the class into groups to plan and organize the fund-raiser.
• Solicit assistance from parents and/or school staff.

Lesson 3

• Hold the fund-raiser. Let students count the money they raise.
• Have students determine whether they have enough to buy the plants and seeds. If there is a surplus, let students determine how to spend the money.

Lesson 4

Purchase the plants and seeds.

Lesson 5

Hold a gardening party to plant the seeds and plants. Enjoy the fun!

Assessment

Evaluate students' participation in the project.

Lesson Plan Source

Education World

Submitted By

Lois Lewis

National Standards

Language Arts:
  NL-ENG.K-12.7
  NL-ENG.K-12.8

Mathematics:
  NM.K-4.4
  NM.K-4.8
  NM.5-8.4
  NM.5-8.7
  NM.9-12.4

Science:
  NS.K-4.3
  NS.5-8.3
  NS.9-12.3