Fun Seed Activities

Here's an assortment of activities to do with seeds.

Activity 1 (Math) 

Gather some fruit.
Have the kids estimate how many seeds are in each fruit.
Count the seeds.
Observe the seeds with a hand lens.
Compare and contrast the seeds based on similarities and differences.
Tally and graph the number of seeds in each fruit.

Activity 2 (Math)

Sort seeds by color, size, surface texture, type, etc.
Put seeds in order from smallest to largest.

Activity 3 (Science)

Make a seed book.
Fold several pieces of paper in half and staple.
Glue seeds and label.

Activity 4 (Arts and Crafts, Music)

Use seeds to make pictures or rhythm instruments.

clipart by www.graphicsfactory.com

Activity 5 (Science)

Play a Seed Identification Game. (What SEED Am I?)
Put different seeds into zip-lock bags. (You may want to number the bags.)
Have students observe the seeds and try to identify the seeds.
Students could also make up some of their own bags.

 

Activity 6 (Science)

Plant the seeds. 

Plant Books for Kids

The Magic School Bus Plants Seeds by Patricia Reif, Joanna Cole, and Bruce Degan

• Ms. Frizzle and her students are having another fun adventure planting a garden and traveling inside a flower. 

   

                                                                               

Alison's Zinnia by Anita Lobel

• This is a wonderful alphabet book for kids with girls' names, flowers, and verbs plus floral paintings. (I love alphabet books!)

From Seed to Plant by Gail Gibbons

• This book is a wonderful resource to teach about plant growth and includes colorful illustrations and diagrams. 

Jack's Garden by Henry Cole

• Learn about a young boy's garden with beautiful illustrations and lots of detail.

                                                                                 

Time for Kids - Plants

• Awesome as usual!

                                                           ______________________________

Books 4 Learning is a wonderful site that has done a great job of writing 10 detailed reviews of plant books for kids.  (Plus there are many other reviews!)

Click Here: Books4Learning

 

Create a Mini Green House for Seeds

Create a Mini Green House for Bean Seeds

This activity will help the kids see the actual beginning growth of the bean seeds.


Materials

• hand lens
• cup or bowl
• bean seeds
• water
• paper towel
• zip lock bag

Directions

• Have students use a hand lens to observe the seeds.
• Have students sketch a picture of the seeds.
• Soak bean seeds in room temperature water for a few hours.
• Have the students observe and sketch the seeds again and note any differences.
• Wet a paper towel and place it in a zip-lock plastic bag.
• Add a few bean seeds to the bag.
• Seal the bag and place it in direct sunlight. (You can even tape the bag to a window sill.)
• Check on the bag each day until the bean seeds have sprouted.
• Carefully remove the seeds from the bag and have the kids again observe and sketch the plant.
• Plant the new sprout in soil.
• Place the plant in the sun and water as needed.
• When the sprouts are 5 inches high, they may be planted outside if desired. 

 

Bill Nye Cool Plant Video

Science can be really cool! 

Just ask Bill Nye the Science Guy! He had a television show for kids about lots of fun topics. He also has books and videos. He makes learning cool and fun for kids! 

So if you're teaching about PLANTS, you'll want the kids to hear what Bill Nye has to say on this topic. He has a cooool video on plants. The title is Bill Nye the Science Guy on Plants. 

Click on the link below to watch the video which is presently on You Tube.

Click Here: Bill Nye the Science Guy on Plants

Edit: This video is no longer available at the website that was previously given.  You may be able to obtain a copy for viewing from your local library.

Plants Word Search Puzzles

Most kids like completing Word Search Puzzles. Word Searches are also a good way to INTRODUCE or REVIEW important VOCABULARY.  Learning Workroom's website has some FREE Word Searches on PLANTS that you can download and print.  

Click Here: www.LearningWorkroom.com

Go to: Free Worksheets

Planting Bean Seeds

Planting with kids can be a lot of fun!

Out of all the different seeds that I've planted with kids, I've had the most success with bean seeds and kids get excited because they grow pretty quickly.

Materials

• hand lens
• bean seeds
• clear plastic cups
• potting soil
• plastic spoon (for soil)
• markers to put student names on their cup(s)
• container with water

Directions

• Begin the lesson by providing the students with some bean seeds to examine. Have students use a hand lens to observe the seeds.
• Ask students what these seeds would need in order to grow.
• Elicit from students that the seeds will need: soil, water, sunshine, and air to grow.
• Provide each child with a cup, a few bean seeds, and some soil.
• Have students fill their cups half full with potting soil.
• Have them place two fingers in the soil and make a few spaces for the seeds, then drop in a few seeds and cover the seeds over with soil.
• Ask students to brainstorm the best locations to place their newly planted seeds.
• Have the students water the plants and place them in a sunny spot (window sill, etc.).
• Have students observe their plants each day to see if they need water.
• Have students keep a daily log of their plant growth by sketching and/or writing about what they observe each day. 
• Have fun!

The teacher can make a few holes in the bottom of the cups for students (using a nail or pencil point) prior to passing out the cups to students to prevent the overwatering of the plants. 

Day 1

Follow Up

• Have a selection of plant books at the children's reading levels for them to spend some time reading independently or with a partner.

  

• For younger students, the teacher can read a book to the students. (Example:  The Tiny Seed by Eric Carl )  

 

• Do a movement exercise with kids in grades K-2. Have the students crouch down and pretend to be a tiny seed just planted. Pretend to water them, and have the children slowly rise (their stem is growing). Pretend to add more water and they can now stand tall and spread their arms (their leaves are opening up to reach the Sun.)

Day 10

Day 10 - Back cup didn't grow!  :( 

Plants Introduction

PLANTS Introduction

KWL CHART

One way to start a new topic is to create a KWL Chart (a 3 column list) with your students.

PLANTS

1. In the 1st column, list what the students think they Know about the topic.
2. In the 2nd column, list what they Wonder about the topic. (They can list their questions about the topic here.)
3. Save the chart until the topic/unit is complete.  At that time the students and teacher together can fill in the 3rd column by listing what the children have Learned.

You can visit Learning Workroom's Website for a FREE KWL Chart to download.

You may also download a FREE worksheet of Desk Name Plates for your students to color and use during this PLANT unit of study.

Click here: http://www.LearningWorkroom.com
Go to: Free Worksheets