Our Living ClassroomLearn • grow • choose
Meet Ms. NicoleAdult lessons ↗

Lesson 07 • Plants & seasons

Plants with Special Needs

Observe a unique plant and build the right little home for it.

Classroom lesson: Specialty Plants

Today I can…

observe a specialty plant and choose one thing it needs.

Words to know

Our five words

LIGHTWATERWARMHUMIDCARE

Follow along

What we will do

  1. 1

    Observe

    Look closely at leaves, stems, roots, or texture.

  2. 2

    Check the card

    Find the plant's light and water symbols.

  3. 3

    Compare places

    Choose between two possible plant locations.

  4. 4

    Make its home

    Set up the pot, tray, label, and care tools.

  5. 5

    Check later

    Put a care check on the weekly schedule.

Speech, sign, point, eye gaze, or AAC

Tell us what you need

Choose a word when you are ready.

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

Materials

  • One verified specialty plant
  • Simple care-symbol card
  • Light and moisture observation tools
  • Thermometer
  • Safe pot, medium, and tray
  • Weekly care card

Safety first

Screen plants for toxicity, irritating sap, spines, and allergies. Offer observation and tool-based roles without requiring touch or smell.

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

Objectives by House

House 1

Students will attend to one plant feature and communicate a sensory preference or boundary.

House 2

Students will match the plant to one care symbol and complete one care action with support.

House 3

Students will compare two locations and use a visual card to choose the better one.

House 4 & 5

Students will identify specialized needs, set up a care station, and record one monitoring responsibility.

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.