Duke School Under the Oak Magazine, Fall 2019

THINKING OUTSIDE
THE POT
By Laurie Ann Harvey and Venetha Machock,
Duke School Teachers
Combining what we have
learned about growing plants
in our “Plant Project” with
our concerns about all the
single use containers hurting
the Earth, we decided to put
our design thinking skills to
work and create decorative
plant pots from “useful junk.”
Looking at a variety of plant pots, we compared
and discussed what attributes made these plant
pots usable. This helped us create a “Recycled
Plant Pot Design Checklist.”
We then selected our plant pot materials from a
large variety of single use trash items (useful junk).
With the help of useful junk, our kindergartners
designed their pots. They also made labeled
drawings to show how their plant pots would look
First, our kindergarten class had a conversation
about how plants help us and the Earth. We
talked about how people are hurting the Earth
with trash, especially single use plastic items. Our
class then decided to use a variety of thrown-out
items to create decorative plant pots with and for
our friends. We realized that we could help the
Earth in two ways: by “reusing” thrown-out items
AND by growing plants.
once assembled.
Next, we paired off in groups and explained how
we wanted our pots assembled and decorated.
Art materials, colors, and construction ideas
were included in our descriptions. The students
carefully listened to one another in order to make
the pots. Working together helped us discuss any
problems that arose and/or share new ideas and
suggestions as they came up.
16 UNDER THE OAK