Lesson Plan

Let's Learn About Seeds

A green plant sprouting from the soil and growing in different stages.
Grade Level:
Lower Elementary: Pre-Kindergarten through Second Grade
Subject:
Science
Lesson Duration:
60 Minutes
Common Core Standards:
1.MD.4, K.MD.3, K.G.1, K.L.1.d, 2.L.5.a, 2.L.6, K.RF.1, K.RI.1, K.RI.7, K.RI.10, 1.RI.1, 1.RI.2, 1.RI.3, 1.RI.4, 2.RI.1, 2.RI.6, 2.RI.8, 2.RI.9, K.RL.1, K.RL.3, K.RL.10, 1.RL.1, 1.RL.2, 1.RL.3, 1.RL.4, 1.RL.6, 2.RL.1, 2.RL.2, 2.RL.3, 2.RL.6, 2.RL.7
State Standards:
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS):
2-L S2-1. Plan and conduct an investigation to determine if plants need sunlight and water to grow.
2-L S4-1. Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
Thinking Skills:
Remembering: Recalling or recognizing information ideas, and principles. Understanding: Understand the main idea of material heard, viewed, or read. Interpret or summarize the ideas in own words. Applying: Apply an abstract idea in a concrete situation to solve a problem or relate it to a prior experience. Analyzing: Break down a concept or idea into parts and show the relationships among the parts. Creating: Bring together parts (elements, compounds) of knowledge to form a whole and build relationships for NEW situations. Evaluating: Make informed judgements about the value of ideas or materials. Use standards and criteria to support opinions and views.

Essential Question

How does a seed grow?

Objective

As a result of this lesson plan, students will learn about what seeds are, the four plant growth stages, and explain the conditions needed for growth.

Preparation

  1. Download Plant Growth Stages Teacher Slides PowerPoint presentation
  2. Review Presenter Notes for each slide
  3. Review Plant Growth Stages Activity
  4. Prepare materials for Plant Growth Stages Activity
    1. Download Plant Growth Stages Activity Materials. Print enough so that each student has 1 set of the four stages of plant growth.
    2. Prior to handing out squares to students, shuffle cards, then paper clip together in 1 stack.
    3. This activity corresponds with the Student Directions located on the last side (“Let’s Practice”) of the Let’s Learn About Seeds: 4 Growth Stages of Plants PowerPoint.
    4. Student materials needed: Blank paper, coloring tools, glue or tape"
  5. Optional: Download Shake Break instructions for a fun movement break activity. Review instructions and video.

Materials

This short PowerPoint reinforces the concepts learned during the virtual program. Students will review what conditions are needed for plants to survive and grow and the four growth stages of plants. At the end of the PowerPoint, the Plant Growth Stages Activity directions are provided for students. In the Presenter Notes of each slide, there are notes to guide teachers through the PowerPoint and activity.

Download Plant Growth Stages Teacher Slides

This activity allows students to think about the growth process of plants. Students will rearrange pictures of the different stages of a lima bean then draw and color the conditions needed for plants to survive and grow. This file is the growth stages cards to be printed by teachers during activity preparation.

Download Plant Growth Stages Activity Materials

Give your students a "shake break" and dance to the Paw Paw Patch song. All Paw Paw trees in the C&O Canal National Historical Park started off as seeds and grew into large trees that fill the park. Encourage movement, imaginary play, and reinforce seed concepts with this fun activity.

Download Shake Break Activity

Procedure

  1. Review Plant Growth Stages Teacher Slides with class
  2. Start Plant Growth Stages Activity on Slide 7
  3. Prior to students gluing down stages on blank paper, click to slide 8 to show correct answer
  4. Prior to students drawing and coloring conditions needed for growth, clck to slide 9 to show correct answer
  5. Optional: Shake Break Activity
  6. Conclude lesson plan by reviewing:
    1. 4 Plant Growth Stages
    2. 4 Conditions needed for plants to survive and thrive

Vocabulary

  • Outer coat—tough outer layer of the seed
  • Embryo—"Tiny baby plant" located inside the seed
  • Dormant—Alive but not actively growing
  • Germination—The process of the sprouting seed usually after a period of dormancy
  • Seedling—A young plant, especially one raised from seed and not from a cutting
  • Photosynthesis—The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods from carbon dioxide and water

Contact Information

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Tags: early childhood education kindergarten first grade second grade nature seeds stem education science and learning virtual field trips

Last updated: August 25, 2021