Growing Lettuce and Learning Science in Mrs. Hallowell’s Fourth Grade

Mrs. Hallowell’s fourth graders have a garden growing right in their classroom. The hydroponic system was purchased with funds from a Maine Agriculture in the Classroom grant, a great example of how creative teachers can be when it comes to finding resources for their students. Thanks to this support, the class has been raising lettuce, tomatoes, and basil.

Once the lettuce was big enough, every student got to tear off a small piece to study. They looked at their leaves under a microscope, where they could see the veins and tiny structures on the leaf's surface. The colors also looked different depending on which part of the leaf they were viewing.

The students collected two kinds of scientific data, which they recorded on their papers.

Quantitative data (numbers): Using rulers, students measured their leaf’s length in centimeters and its width in centimeters at the widest point.

Qualitative data (descriptions): Students described the different hues of green and purple they saw and chose three adjectives to describe what their leaf looked like and felt like. Then they made a scientific illustration, a labeled drawing, the way that botanists record in their notebooks.

The class learned about photosynthesis, which is how plants make their own food from light, water, and carbon dioxide. The grow lights take the place of the sun. They also learned that chlorophyll is what makes leaves green. This particular lettuce also had purple and red pigments, and the students were curious to find out why. Many described a mix of colors, with purple standing out. The students also practiced measuring in metric units, recording careful observations, and telling the difference between data you can measure and data you describe.

After their assignment was finished, everyone got to taste their leaf, and the students were excited to eat something they had grown themselves.