Make & Take Lessons – Farming in a Glove

1. Ask youth, “What do you think happens when a seed gets planted in the ground?”
   • Expected responses: grows, needs to be watered, turns into a plant, etc.
2. Reply with the explanation that seeds need to be planted, watered, and given sunlight to grow. When a seed is planted it absorbs water, the seed coat breaks open, and a small plant emerges. In this activity, youth will create their own farm to watch as the seeds grow.

1. Write the youth’s name on the thumb of the glove in permanent marker.
2. Write the name of each seed that will be planted on each finger of the glove with the marker.
3. Carefully dip a cotton ball in water and squeeze the excess water out of the cotton ball. Repeat this step for four cotton balls.
4. Place a wet cotton ball in each of the four fingers of the glove.
5. Carefully place one of each type of seed (three if you’re using wheat seeds) in the correct labeled finger.
6. Tie the top of the glove with the piece of yarn to keep the moisture inside the glove. (Blowing air into the glove is not necessary.)
7. Encourage youth to hang the glove in a window to watch the seeds grow.

Plants are a part of our everyday life! From the food we eat to the clothes we wear, to the cars we drive; we can give credit to plants! Plants that are grown for human use are called crops. The seeds we planted today are crops. Farmers work to provide crops for us!