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Plants, Gardens & Weather. Watch things grow and learn what plants need to live. This is Month 7 of our free 12-month preschool curriculum for ages 3 to 5. Below you will find a weekly lesson plan, the letters and math to practice, science and art ideas, a supplies list, and easy ways to make it simpler or harder for your child.
- Month 7 of 12
- Ages 3–5 (best fit: 4–5)
- 4 weekly topics
- About 20–30 minutes a day
What Your Child Will Learn in Month 7
- New letters
- Qq, Xx, Zz (that completes the alphabet!) and a quick review
- Language & literacy
- Match pictures that start with the same sound and play “I spy” with beginning sounds. Draw and dictate a plant journal.
- Math
- Recognize numbers 11–20 (stretch), use words like 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, and measure how tall a plant grows.
- Science & discovery
- Seeds in a bag, plant parts (roots, stem, leaf), and a simple rain or wind check.
- Social & emotional
- Solve problems with words, and care for a plant every day.
- Art & music
- Flower sponge painting and coffee-filter flowers.
- Movement & hands
- Write letters with a finger in sand or salt. Dig, scoop, and pour water with a small watering can.
These goals match the five learning areas in the Head Start framework. Core goals are for most children. Anything marked stretch is optional. See the full list of learning areas and the typical milestones for ages 4 and 5.
Month 7 Weekly Lesson Plan
Do one short activity from each column, three or four days a week. Keep each one to about 10 to 15 minutes, and stop when your child loses interest.
| Week & topic | Letters & language | Math | Science | Art, music & movement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1: Seeds | Match seed packet pictures and say the first sound of each plant. | Count seeds into groups of 5 or 10. | Start a bean in a bag and draw it on day one. | Make seed art by gluing seeds on paper. |
| Week 2: Plants and flowers | Dictate a sentence for the plant journal: My plant has ___. | Measure plant height with cubes each week. | Point out the roots, stem, leaf, and flower on a real plant. | Sponge-paint flowers. |
| Week 3: Rain, wind, and clouds | Say a weather rhyme and clap the beat. | Make a weather graph for rain, wind, and sun. | Make a rain gauge with a clear cup and check it after rain. | Fly a ribbon streamer outside and notice the wind. |
| Week 4: Garden helpers (worms and bees) | Retell how a seed grows: first, next, last. | Line up plants from shortest to tallest and use first, second, third. | Look for worms, bees, or ladybugs and talk about how they help gardens. | Dig, water, and plant something together. |
Not sure how to fit this into your day? Use the sample daily rhythm.
Letters to Practice This Month
Qq, Xx, Zz (that completes the alphabet!) and a quick review.
Play with letters through games, not drills: find them on signs and cereal boxes, trace them in sand or salt, and say the first sound of everyday objects. Knowing some letters is a typical milestone at age 5, so there is no pressure to master every letter.
Words to Use All Month
Use these words in everyday conversation and while you read. Hearing a word in many settings helps it stick.
- seed
- root
- stem
- leaf
- flower
- rain
- wind
- soil
Supplies Checklist
Everything here is common household stuff. Tick items off as you gather them.
Easy Activities to Try at Home
Try this
- Bean in a bag: tape a damp paper towel and bean to a window and draw what changes each day.
- Wind walk: carry ribbon streamers outside and notice which way the wind blows.
- Herb cup: plant a seed in a cup and water it together.
Read together
- The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle
- Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert
Check your local library. Ask the librarian for more plants, gardens & weather books.
Make It Easier or Harder
If your child needs more support
Plant one seed and look at it every day. Skip the measuring.
If your child is ready for more
Record plant growth in a chart and use the words 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.
Parent tip: Let your child do the watering. Caring for a living thing builds responsibility and confidence.
Month check-in: Your child can name three plant parts and tell what a plant needs to grow.
Month 7 Preschool Curriculum FAQs
What if my seed does not grow?
Try again. Talk about what might have happened, like too much water or not enough light, and plant a few seeds so you have backups. Mistakes are part of science.
Do we need a garden?
No. A cup on a windowsill or a pot on a balcony works fine.
Is it safe to touch soil and plants?
Wash hands afterward and supervise closely. Never let children eat plants or seeds that are not food, because some plants are poisonous.
All 12 Months
Add Free Printables to Month 7
Match this month’s lessons with free printables and coloring pages.
Sources
- Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework: Ages Birth to Five
- NAEYC: Developmentally Appropriate Practice
- CDC: Milestones by 4 Years
- CDC: Milestones by 5 Years
This guide is general educational information for parents. It is not medical advice and does not replace a developmental screening or guidance from your child’s doctor or teacher.