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Lesson 17 • Garden skills & food

Plant in Something New

Turn a safe used container into a useful planter.

Classroom lesson: Reclaiming Materials and Supplies for Planting

Today I can…

check a container and help turn it into a planter.

Words to know

Our five words

REUSECLEANDRAINFILLPLANT

Follow along

What we will do

  1. 1

    Inspect

    Check what the container held and look for damage.

  2. 2

    Clean

    Wash or wipe the approved container.

  3. 3

    Check drainage

    Find the adult-prepared holes for extra water.

  4. 4

    Fill and plant

    Add growing mix and a safe plant or seed.

  5. 5

    Label

    Add the plant name and care picture.

Speech, sign, point, eye gaze, or AAC

Tell us what you need

Choose a word when you are ready.

REUSECLEANHOLEPLANTDECORATE
Teacher & para guideMaterials, House objectives, access, and safety

Materials

  • Clean approved used containers
  • Nontoxic cleaning supplies
  • Adult-prepared drainage holes
  • Potting mix
  • Seeds or safe starts
  • Large labels and decorations

Safety first

Never reuse containers that held chemicals, medicines, sharp objects, or unknown substances. Adults make holes and remove sharp edges.

Follow each student's IEP, health, feeding, allergy, behavior, and mobility plans.

Objectives by House

House 1

Students will explore an approved container and participate in one cleaning, filling, or planting action.

House 2

Students will identify clean/dirty or hole/no hole and complete two supported steps.

House 3

Students will follow a visual quality-check and planting sequence.

House 4 & 5

Students will inspect, prepare, plant, label, and test an upcycled planter for safe function.

Access supports

Communication Model five core words; accept speech, AAC, eye gaze, gestures, object choices, signs, and partner-assisted scanning.

Sensory Present one material at a time. Offer tools, gloves, observe-only, a scent-free choice, and a quiet break.

Motor Stabilize containers, pre-loosen parts, use adapted grips, and offer seated, standing, partner, or directing roles.

Learning Show the finished result, model first, use short visual steps, repeat, and record the least support needed.