Plant Life in a Bottle

This learning activity should be used after teaching a unit on plants or living things. The teacher will begin by reviewing the basic needs of a plant in order to survive: food, water, soil, sunlight, and space. Show the students the materials for building a terrarium: one 2-liter bottle, scissors, potting soil, gravel, small plants still containing their roots (can be found outside or bought), and water. Discuss if all the basic needs of a plant can be met with these materials. Students might point out that sunlight is missing and that the scissors are not needed. The teacher will build the terrarium or allow the students to build it. Make sure the class discusses how each basic need is met as the terrarium is being built. 

1. Remove the label and cut the 2-liter bottle horizontally in two about 1/4 of the way up from the bottom.
2. In the top portion, cut six vertical 1-inch slits spaced around the bottle.
3. Pour gravel in the bottom of the bottle, just enough to cover the base.
4. Take the plants and the soil and finish filling the bottom of the bottle.
5. Water the soil and seal your plants by replacing the top portion of the bottle, fitting the slits over the base.
6. Place the terrarium next to the window and observe it for several days or longer.