Plant the Seed

Lesson Overview

Lesson developed by Vonnie Ingalls-Carda and Jozette Knoff under the direction and review of Anna Barr and Aimee House Ladonski.

Objective

In this lesson, students will learn to identify the parts of a seed and the growth and development of a seed to a plant.

Vocabulary:

• Video: This video provides an introduction to the vocabulary words. Courtesy of SciShow Kids.

• Words:
  • Seed coat: Outside cover of a seed that protects the embryo and stored food,
  • Embryo: Tiny, baby plant.
  • Stored food: Food for the embryo inside the seed coat (also called endosperm).
  • Dormant: When normal functions are stopped or slowed down from growing.
  • Germination: Process by which a seed begins to grow or develop.

• Activity: Consider practicing vocabulary words by having your child write them with sidewalk chalk, or paint them with water on the ground and watch evaporation take place.

Seed Activity

• Video: To begin, watch this time-lapse video of a bean growing. Courtesy of GPhase. Next, complete the activity below.

• Tiny Greenhouse: In this activity, kids learn about the parts of the seed and how a seed germinates and grows into a seedling by crafting a mini green house that allows them to see a seed germinate and grow. Courtesy of Simply Learning.
  • Materials needed (per participant):
    • 1 Plastic baggie (sandwich size or similar).
    • 1 Paper towel.
    • A few Bean seeds. These can come from the grocery store or from a seed packet. Un-split versions of beans are best.
    • Tape.
    • Sunny window.
  • Instructions:
    1. Soak the dried beans (or other seeds) overnight.
    2. Dampen the paper towel and place it in the baggie. You may decide to staple the paper towels at the top of the bag so they do not fall to the bottom, but this is optional. You can also use damp cotton balls instead of a paper towel.
    3. Add a few bean seeds to the baggie on one side of the paper towel.
    4. Press extra air out of the bag and zip shut.
    5. Tape the baggie to a sunny window with the seeds on the side nearest you.
    6. Watch as the seeds grow over the next few days and weeks.

Nutrition Activities

• Seedy Sundae: Did you know that you can grow food from seeds, or you can simply eat seeds as food? Even as a dessert!
  • Here is a recipe that uses two different seeds:
    • One scoop of vanilla bean ice cream (the tiny black dots are seeds).
    • Drizzle with honey and add 1 tablespoon of dry roasted sunflower seeds (seeds).
  • Activity follow-up questions:
    • What other seeds do you like to eat? Examples: corn, rice, oats, quinoa, chia seeds, flaxseed, peanuts, chickpeas, edamame, poppy seeds, pumpkin seeds, coffee beans.
    • Do you ever see any animals eating seeds? What animals?

• South Dakota Honey Sunflower Vanilla Ice Cream: Make homemade ice cream with this recipe. Courtesy of Food Network.

Art Activity

Tiny Seed Craft: Make a picture of your favorite flower, like in “The Tiny Seed” book.

Courtesy of What Can We Do With Paper And Glue.

• For this activity, you will need:
  • Paint (red, yellow, blue, green, and white)
  • Paint brushes
  • Thick paper
  • Scissors
  • Glue

Homegrown microgreens ready for harvest.

Adults, Learn More

• Growing Micro-Greens: As the name implies, micro-greens are grown only for a short time before they are harvested. Learn how to grow them in this tutorial. Courtesy of SDSU Extension.
• How to Grow Microgreens Indoors: Follow along with this video to construct a microgreens garden at home. Microgreens become food fast! Courtesy of University of Maine Extension.
• Toilet Paper Tube Seedling Pots: Practical recycling for seed pots. Learn to make a seed pot from a toilet paper tube. Courtesy of Thrifty Fun.
• Seeds are healthy sources of fiber: Learn the nutritional value of seeds. Courtesy of Michigan State University.