Planting Herb Seeds with Kids

I brought seeds to the after school program I teach so that they could plant something for Earth Day. I brought chamomile, clover, calendula & dill, and had them try to ID them.  Everyone got chamomile right (we made chamomile tea, too), but the others were more difficult. We talked about what a seed needs to grow into a plant - sun, soil, air, water, care & love; and how the different shapes of the seeds could help them get themselves planted... the round ones can roll, the smallest ones can fly through the air, the pokey ones can grip onto things and get carried to another spot, and the flat ones can slip into cracks and still put down roots.  We went outside (the best part for the youngest ones) and planted them in four compartment pots with labels. The small kids definitely mixed all the seeds into all the compartments, but the older kids were writing their own labels and making sure they put their seeds in the right place.  They took them home since there is no greenhouse at the school,  and are to report when the plants sprout. They are all excited to grow plants somewhere in their gardens. Some of the kids already knew who would help them keep the plants alive! All in all it was quite rewarding for me & them.