St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner. It’s the kick off to spring and a perfect opportunity for children to explore how seeds grow! Using high-quality, engaging children’s books is the perfect way to introduce fun learning activities in the classroom. This fun St. Patrick’s Day book and science activity about growing shamrocks or clover will help children learn about what seeds need to grow.

Growing Shamrocks or Clover Activity

In this activity, children will listen to a read aloud about St. Patrick’s Day and shamrocks. You can read any book that mentions shamrocks or clover, here’s the one we used, Green Shamrocks by Eve Bunting.

To extend the story, the children will plant seeds and observe the growth of the plants.

The skills covered in this activity include:

• literacy
• listening: actively looking at the book while the reader is reading
• comprehension: retelling the major events in the story
• vocabulary: learning words relevant to the story (shamrocks, sowed, perfect, spread, and moaned)
• science
• observing: noticing changes as the seeds grow
• communicating ideas: explaining what seeds need to grow

Supplies for Growing Shamrocks or Clover

These are the supplies you will need for the Green Shamrock activity.

• A book to read aloud
• Clover Seeds
• Pots or cups
• Potting Soil
• Plastic Wrap
• Green Ribbon (optional)

Reading About Shamrocks or Clover

Green Shamrocks by Eve Bunting is the story of a rabbit who plants shamrock seeds in hopes of having enough to create a necklace to wear to the St. Patrick’s Day parade. Remember, you can read any book that mentions shamrocks or clover.

In the book Green Shamrocks, the rabbit plants the seeds, waters them and then waits. One day, he discovers his pot of shamrocks has disappeared and he sets off to search for it.

He finds them just in time and is able to make his necklace. During his search he makes a friend who attends the parade with him.

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Gather the children close so that they will all be able to see the pictures while you read. Remember to read with expression.

There are lots of questions and characters so you can have fun adjusting your voice to get into the story.

As you read, emphasize the following vocabulary: shamrocks, sowed, perfect, spread and moaned.

After reading, help the children retell the story in their own words making sure to highlight the major events in the story. Ask the children what the seeds needed in order to grow.

Clover or Shamrock Planting Activity

Be sure to explain to your students what shamrocks and clover are and the number of leaves on each. Explain that some people believe that when a clover has four leaves it brings good luck.

The seeds you choose may produce clover that do not have four leaves, use this to motivate your students to closely watch their seeds while they grow to see how many leaves they will have.

Give each child a pot and enough potting soil to fill the pot. Leave 1/2 inch space at the top of each pot.

Give each child 4-5 seeds to plant. The seeds are very tiny! The seeds need to be covered with a very thin layer of soil.

Gently water and cover with plastic wrap. Place in a sunny location where the plants will get plenty of bright light. Seeds will sprout in about 3-5 days. After seeds have sprouted, you may remove the plastic wrap.

Each day, have the kids observe their pots and discuss what they notice.

Tie a festive ribbon around each pot and send home with the children.

More St. Patrick’s Day Ideas

St. Patrick’s Day Fine Motor Activities for Preschoolers – There are plenty of ways to develop fine motor skills with a thematic twist. Here are some fun fine motor activities you can do with your kids at home or school for St. Patrick’s Day!

St. Patrick’s Day I-Spy Activity – Your kids are going to love this Rainbow I-Spy bottle for St. Patrick’s Day! Shaking the bottle and searching for the objects hiding in the rainbow is only half the fun, I also created a printable that will help your kids practice identifying beginning sounds.

BIO: Jodie is the creator of Growing Book by Book where she shares book lists, reading and writing activities, and literacy building tips for young children. She is also the proud mom of 2 little boys- check out their playful preschool year! You can connect with her on Facebook and Pinterest.