Learning About Plants: Seeds

Description of Learning Unit:

This lesson provides information and resources for students to learn about seeds and create a nature notebook. This unit is designed to last about one week, depending on how many days you teach science and how much you do each day.

List of Objectives:

• Identify common seeds.
• Identify the parts of a seed.
• Identify the parts of a plant and their functions.
  
• Learn about the different methods of seed dispersal.
  
• Identify the conditions necessary for seed growth.
• Go on a nature walk and create a nature notebook of seeds found in your area.
  

List of Materials and Supplies Needed for This Pathway:

Links to Related Pathways (if any):

Links to Online Lessons:

This site provides a excellent, interesting introduction to seeds, seed parts, and germination.

This great, image-laden site has an excellent explanation of the ways that seeds are dispersed. The page includes a sidebar that discusses what the term "dispersal" means.

This page is full of colorful, comic style illustrations that show, step by step, how farmers, millers, and bakers turn wheat seeds into yummy food!

Reference Websites:

The Seed Site contains images of 600 assorted seeds sorted by shape and size.

This page identifies common plants whose seeds are dispersed by the wind, and includes many photos. Children will be familiar with many of these seed types and may find them while on a nature walk. 

Hands-On Projects and Activities:

This simple activity lets you use a plastic bag and some dirt to sprout popcorn kernels!

Kids will love to watch Mr. Grasshead's hair grow!  Just use some grass seed, pantyhose, and a yogurt cup.

This fun nature walk activity will  give children a nice change of pace, and give them experience in finding seeds and noticing their differences and similarities.

Have fun in this great seed activity by seeing what surprise seeds sprout in your secret garden. 

Learning Tools (worksheets, drills, printables, online games, tests, etc.):

This poem about "Little Brown Seeds" is perfect for memory work with your child or just to read together for fun and poetry enjoyment.

This online growth simulation lets your child demonstrate the knowledge he's gained by clicking on the items needed to plant and grow a seed.

Help the Lorax catch the Truffula seeds so you can plant trees in this fun online game. 

Free Online Video:

This brief yet fascinating video uses time-lapse photography to show a row of radish seeds sprouting and developing roots, stems, and leaves.

Free Online Audio: 

Free E-Books (and classics available in most libraries):

Read this animated story to your child, and help convey the idea that though many seeds are produced every year, only the ones that find themselves landing in the right special circumstances grow up and flourish.