This spring, the second-grade class at St. Joseph’s Indian School discovered a little dirt and a few seeds can grow more than just plants — they can grow life lessons, too.
As part of a fun, hands-on learning experience, students planted vegetables from seeds and nurtured them into healthy, vibrant plants. The tiny seeds were planted with care in small dirt cups in the classroom, warming mats and grow lights surrounded the sprouts, eventually helping them develop strong stems. The process began in March and early April, but things got off to a slow start. Students waited patiently as the seeds gradually germinated, learning that growth takes time, warmth and persistence. Once the plants were large enough, they were transplanted into larger pots and moved to the greenhouse connected to the science lab.
The young gardeners grew various herbs, vegetables and flowers: cucumbers, squash, sunflowers, sweet corn, zinnias, wildflowers, spider plants, tomatoes, Brussels sprouts, watermelon, cantaloupe, peppers, pumpkins, dill and basil.
But this project wasn’t just about agriculture — it was also about entrepreneurship. The second graders learned how to manage money and run a small business by selling their plants to houseparents, teachers, nurses, counselors and other St. Joseph’s employees. They carefully priced their goods, greeted their customers and responsibly handled the exchange of money. With their teachers’ guidance, they explored real-world math skills in a meaningful and exciting way.
“We decided to price the plants by quarter amounts so the kids could practice and feel comfortable counting change back to their customers. Each plant ranged from twenty-five cents to two dollars,” said Jessamy, a second-grade teacher at St. Joseph’s.
The support from the St. Joseph’s community left the kids bursting with pride and happiness. The little entrepreneurs were smiling ear to ear as they provided customer service by carrying boxes of plants, thanking people for shopping and even giving plant suggestions.
In fact, their plant sale was such a success that they sold out of many items and had only a few leftovers. The high demand boosted the students’ confidence, showing them the value of their hard work and dedication.
The success of the plant sale exceeded expectations, so teachers made it a priority to take the business knowledge full circle. They explained to students that setting aside money for expenses like seeds and containers for the next year is essential. Once that money was set aside, they realized the students had raised enough money to treat themselves to a celebratory ice cream outing. Pleased to see the students’ dedication, the second-grade teachers are excited to see this business and budgeting project bloom in the years to come.
“The whole experience was such a cool thing to see. It allowed us to reflect on how far the students have come during our time with them and just watching their hard work pay off. It was a very proud moment for us,” said Jessamy.
By turning seeds into sales, the second graders got a sweet and educational taste of working hard, thinking creatively and managing money wisely. It’s safe to say the future is looking bright and green for these budding entrepreneurs.
To learn more about St. Joseph’s Indian School visit www.stjo.org.
