Mushroom Kits: A Student's Introduction into the Fascinating World of Fungi
- Leah Brooks
- Oct 8
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 8
Did you know that mushroom kits are available on Step Up for Student's MyScholarShop (MSS)? Let's use them with a lesson plan!
A Mushroom Grow Kit Lesson Plan for Grades 1–5
What could be more fun? Cultivating a mushroom kit is an engaging and educational experience that allows students to explore the fascinating world of fungi. This activity combines science with hands-on learning and culinary creativity!
This lesson plan includes:
Hands-On Learning: Students can observe the growth process of mushrooms firsthand.
Real-Time Scientific Observations: The kit allows for tracking growth stages and understanding the life cycle of fungi.
Integration of Science and Cooking: Students can apply their scientific knowledge in a practical cooking activity.
Why Mushrooms?
Mushrooms serve as a perfect entry point into the fungi kingdom. They are visually captivating, grow quickly, and can be observed on a daily basis. Unlike conventional plants, mushrooms provide fresh insights into ecosystems, decomposition, and food science, making them ideal for young scientists exploring the natural world.
Lesson Objectives
By the end of this 7-day lesson, students will:
Understand the ecological role of fungi
Set up and monitor a classroom mushroom grow kit
Observe and record growth over time
Analyze environmental variables like light and humidity
Draw conclusions based on real-world data
Extend learning through cooking and tasting edible mushrooms
Standards Aligned
NGSS: 3-LS1-1, 4-LS1-1, 5-LS2-1 (life cycles, structures, decomposers)
ELA: Writing explanatory texts, speaking and presenting findings
Math: Measuring, graphing, interpreting data
What You’ll Need
A mushroom grow kit (oyster or lion’s mane recommended)
Science journals
Rulers or tape measures
Observation tools
Parts of the mushroom worksheet
Cooking supplies (optional)
8-Day Lesson Plan Overview
Day 1: Introduction to Fungi
Students explore what fungi are, how they differ from plants, and their ecological role. Together, you’ll set up the grow kit and make predictions in science journals. How fast will these grow?
Day 2: Labeling the Parts of a Mushroom
Students will create a worksheet, or use a printable, to label the parts of a mushroom. Introduce vocabulary: 1) Cap 2) Scales 3) Gills 4) Ring 5) Cup 6) Roots 7) Stem
Day 3: Observing Mycelium
Introduce the white mycelium. Look up the definition and discuss with parent or teacher. Observe the early changes in the grow kit, look for white growth, and compare to diagrams. Record observation in science notebook.
Day 4: Early Growth Observation
Students begin seeing visible growth. Discuss height, color, texture, and sketch changes. Older
students can take measurements. Younger students can take picturews Discuss how light, humidity, and temperature affect mushroom growth.
Day 5: Rapid Development
As pins emerge, compare to predictions. Measure and photograph growth. Discuss how fungi differ from plants in how quickly they develop.
Day 6: Fruiting Body Formation
Continue observations. Re-introduce the vocabulary the student learned in lesson 2. Student sketches what they see.
Day 7: Harvest & Cook
Students harvest mature mushrooms (with supervision). Find a recipe and cook it. How does it taste? How does it look? Would you grow and eat mushrooms again?
Lesson plan adapted from: Growing Curiosity
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