Preparing Gift Preparing Gift PlantsPlantsGrade 1 Grade 1

Mrs. Rodriguez’s classMrs. Rodriguez’s class

Bernard, the expert Bernard, the expert

Before preparing to repot our Before preparing to repot our plants, the children meet with plants, the children meet with Bernard. They have questions Bernard. They have questions for him:for him:

How do we know if a plant is How do we know if a plant is really dying? (its stems are really dying? (its stems are thin and hollow)thin and hollow)

Why are there white lines Why are there white lines snaking around the leaf? (it snaking around the leaf? (it could be a very tiny bug could be a very tiny bug eating the leaves)eating the leaves)

Even if we watered the plants Even if we watered the plants everyday, why did the leaves everyday, why did the leaves wither? (too much sun or too wither? (too much sun or too much watering)much watering)

The children want to know who The children want to know who Bernard was. Bernard was.

They find out that Bernard has They find out that Bernard has been working at ISM for more been working at ISM for more than 10 years.than 10 years.

He enjoys his job very much.He enjoys his job very much.

How do we begin?How do we begin? We watch carefully so we will know what to do We watch carefully so we will know what to do

when we do it ourselves.when we do it ourselves.

The children learn that Bernard sings to the The children learn that Bernard sings to the plants while he takes care of them. plants while he takes care of them.

The children literally dig into The children literally dig into the rich dark soil to fill their the rich dark soil to fill their new pots.new pots.

Bernard shows how the plant is carefully Bernard shows how the plant is carefully removed from the pot without tearing off the removed from the pot without tearing off the roots. This is quite fascinating for the roots. This is quite fascinating for the children.children.

Bernard teaches them how to carefully put in the Bernard teaches them how to carefully put in the plant, add more soil, and spray the plant in its plant, add more soil, and spray the plant in its new home. Some singing follows!new home. Some singing follows!

Trimming is part of care so dead leaves were Trimming is part of care so dead leaves were cut off…and a last shot of water!cut off…and a last shot of water!

Some very proud kids – the plants are repotted Some very proud kids – the plants are repotted without any getting harmed (no broken stems). without any getting harmed (no broken stems). More importantly, the plants are going to be More importantly, the plants are going to be given to Papaya Academy as presents.given to Papaya Academy as presents.

Thank you, Bernard Thank you, Bernard for teaching us.for teaching us.