Seed Investigation
Summary
In this activity from our Kindergarten Agricultural unit, the children will explore seeds, including where seeds are found and learning to recognize some common seeds. They will compare similarities and differences between seeds.
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Learning Goals
1. The students will use simple tools (magnifying glasses and forceps).
2. The students will collect seeds from home and our prairie to add to the classroom seed collection.
3. The students will match familiar seeds to the plants that they will grow.
4. The students will use their Science Journal to document what they are investigating.
2. The students will collect seeds from home and our prairie to add to the classroom seed collection.
3. The students will match familiar seeds to the plants that they will grow.
4. The students will use their Science Journal to document what they are investigating.
Context for Use
This activity is part of larger Kindergarten I.B. unit titled "Seeds of Change." The Central Idea of this larger unit is as follows: Throughout time, people have planted seeds to grow crops for a variety of purposes.
This activity is also designed to give the children a chance to practice using simple science tools including magnifying glasses and forceps.
This activity is also designed to give the children a chance to practice using simple science tools including magnifying glasses and forceps.
Description and Teaching Materials
Materials:
-magnifying glasses
-forceps
-cups for sorting seeds
-Science Journals
-various seeds from garden packets
-seeds collected from school prairie
-ziplock bags
-labels
-pictures from magazines of plants
-container for holding seed collections
-How a Seed Grows by Helen Johnson
-Now I Know All About Seeds
-seed starter kits from Mn Farm Bureau
-balloons for putting seeds inside (sensory exploration)
-glue
-toothpicks or q-tips
-pictures of corn, pumpkins, and apples for assessment activity
Day 1
1. Teacher will put a variety of seeds in a bag. At circle time, the teacher will walk around and have the children feel inside. After everyone has had a chance to feel inside the bag, the children can use words to describe what they felt. This can be ideas can be written on board.
2. Ask the children what they know about seeds. How are some alike and how are some different? Make a list.
3. During Free Choice time or Investigation Stations, have a variety of seeds on a tray for the children to look at. Provide magnifying glasses and forceps for the children to use.
4. Ask the children if they noticed any other similarities or differences while they were exploring the seeds today. Pose the question, "Where else could we get seeds from?" Encourage the children to bring in any other seeds that they may find outside of school.
Day 2
If children bring in seeds, put them in ziplock bag and label the type of seeds. Place in the Inquiry Zone for children to look at later. Also, add mixed up seeds and cups for the children to sort with forceps.
Day 3
Add to list of any similarities or differences as the children notice them. In Inquiry Zone, add balloons that have seeds in them for the children to feel. By feeling, can they tell what kind of seeds are inside (have the types that are inside of the balloon on the table for the children to actually view).
Read books about seeds. Ask the children "Why are seeds important?"
Day 4
Continue with activities listed above. Look at apple seeds, pumpkin seeds, and corn seeds up close. Have discussion about how these seeds were collected.
Day 5
Have the children do the Assessment Activity listed below.
-magnifying glasses
-forceps
-cups for sorting seeds
-Science Journals
-various seeds from garden packets
-seeds collected from school prairie
-ziplock bags
-labels
-pictures from magazines of plants
-container for holding seed collections
-How a Seed Grows by Helen Johnson
-Now I Know All About Seeds
-seed starter kits from Mn Farm Bureau
-balloons for putting seeds inside (sensory exploration)
-glue
-toothpicks or q-tips
-pictures of corn, pumpkins, and apples for assessment activity
Day 1
1. Teacher will put a variety of seeds in a bag. At circle time, the teacher will walk around and have the children feel inside. After everyone has had a chance to feel inside the bag, the children can use words to describe what they felt. This can be ideas can be written on board.
2. Ask the children what they know about seeds. How are some alike and how are some different? Make a list.
3. During Free Choice time or Investigation Stations, have a variety of seeds on a tray for the children to look at. Provide magnifying glasses and forceps for the children to use.
4. Ask the children if they noticed any other similarities or differences while they were exploring the seeds today. Pose the question, "Where else could we get seeds from?" Encourage the children to bring in any other seeds that they may find outside of school.
Day 2
If children bring in seeds, put them in ziplock bag and label the type of seeds. Place in the Inquiry Zone for children to look at later. Also, add mixed up seeds and cups for the children to sort with forceps.
Day 3
Add to list of any similarities or differences as the children notice them. In Inquiry Zone, add balloons that have seeds in them for the children to feel. By feeling, can they tell what kind of seeds are inside (have the types that are inside of the balloon on the table for the children to actually view).
Read books about seeds. Ask the children "Why are seeds important?"
Day 4
Continue with activities listed above. Look at apple seeds, pumpkin seeds, and corn seeds up close. Have discussion about how these seeds were collected.
Day 5
Have the children do the Assessment Activity listed below.
Teaching Notes and Tips
Begin classroom seed collection ahead of time. In newsletter to parents, ask them to help their child look for seeds that can be sent into our room.
Assessment
In each child's Science Journal, a picture of an apple, corn, and a pumpkin will be glued down. The children will glue the appropriate seed next to the picture in their Science Journal. (This will to be left open for the glue to dry so that pages will not stick together. Have the children use a toothpick or q-tip to place a small amount of glue on the page for their seeds.)
Standards
Kindergarten, I. (History and Nature of Science), B. (Scientific Inquiry), Standard- The student will raise questions about the natural world., 1. (The student will observe and describe common objects using simple tools.)