March is Women’s History Month and a great way to introduce Women’s History Month to your child is with a book and an activity. Michelle’s Garden written and illustrated by Sharee Miller is a non-fiction book about the former first lady’s connection to food and a healthy lifestyle. Miller writes a brief history of Michelle Obama’s childhood and what led her planting the White House Kitchen Garden. Michelle’s Garden will not only teach your child about the former first lady, it will also teach your child how important it is to work as a team to obtain a goal. The White House Kitchen Garden is now permanently on the White House grounds and protected by the National Park Service.

Michelle’s Garden

We have an exciting activity to pair with this book. We will be making our own seed starter containers and planting seeds. You can start a garden like Michelle Obama.

Materials

  • Toilet paper tube(s)
  • Scissors
  • Potting Soil
  • Seeds (vegetable or flower)
  • Small plastic tray

Instructions

  1. Cut 1/3 of the paper tube off.
  2. Cut four slits about 1-1/2″ equidistant from one another around the edge of the toilet paper (TP) tube (you will end up with 4 slats).
  3. Fold one slat down toward the other slats. Continue with each slat, until you reach the 4th. After folding the 4th slat down tuck it under the other three. This should keep the bottom of your pot closed.
  4. Fill the TP pot with potting soil and plant seeds.
  5. Place one or several TP pots in a plastic tray.
  6. Water your seeds and place in a sunny indoor spot.
  7. Wait for your seeds to grow.
  8. When your plants have grown and the weather is warm enough, transplant outside.

Happy Spring!