In celebration of Earth Day, first graders in Allison Alvarado and Maria Plitt’s class at Remsenburg-Speonk Elementary School got their hands dirty—literally—as they learned about sustainable gardening and the wonders of plant life.

As part of the special Earth Day activity, students read Tops and Bottoms by Janet Stevens. This playful story explores how different vegetables grow either above or below the ground. The lesson sparked curiosity and excitement as the students discovered that carrots are root vegetables that grow underground.

Taking the lesson from the page to the planting table, the young learners began their gardening journey by planting carrot seeds in the classroom. Because the seeds are so small, the class created “seed tape” using a mix of flour and water to space the seeds evenly. Each student carefully placed their seeds, learning the importance of precision and care in the planting process.

Once the seed tape is ready, students will take their carrots home to be planted in healthy, loose soil in a sunny spot in their yards. As carrots are a fall harvest vegetable, the students will need to be patient. If all goes well, the carrots will be ready for harvest just as these first graders are getting ready to begin second grade—a full-circle moment in their learning and growth.

This engaging activity not only celebrated Earth Day but also taught students valuable lessons in science, patience, and sustainability—one seed at a time.