Seed to Feed

Grade Level:
First
(Minor modifications can adapt it to Kindergarten or Second Grade)

Subjects:
Language Arts
Science
Math
Technology

Learner Outcomes:

The student will read a fairy tale.
The student will identify the basic parts of a seed.
The student will recognize that a seed grows into a plant.
The student will observe, predict, and record seed growth through use of journals and digital cameras.
Duration of Lesson:
1 hour on day one and 20 minutes on observation days,  approximately 1 week for seed germination
 

Materials:

student copies of The Little Red Hen
2 bean seeds per student, hand lens,
1 ziploc sandwich bag per student,
water, 1 paper towel for each student, 
seed journal for each student, 
rulers, paper, 
Harcourt Science Grade 1 Unit -
A Plants and Animals All Around video

Technology Tools:
Computer with Microsoft Word
Printer
VCR
TV
Cable to connect VCR to TV
Digital Camera
Copier or Risograph

Teacher Notes:

  • Warn children not to put seeds in their mouth.
  • Some seeds are poisonous.
  • When linking for the video, follow these steps:  

  • 1.  Click on Science
    2.  On bottom of page select grade 1
    3.  On bottom of page select Harcourt Science Activity videos under electronic learning.


Procedures:

Read the story of The Little Red Hen

  View video on seeds.

  Peel off the covering of the seed.  Open the seed. Observe and tell what is inside.  Use your hand lens to observe.  Discuss.

  Provide each student with a ziplock bag, seed, and damp paper towel . Put the paper towel in the bag.  Place the seed on top of the paper towel so it may be seen.  Close the bag and place in desk.

  Check daily.  Observe, measure, and record results in seed journal.  Each day a few students take a picture of his/her seed's growth with the digital camera.

  At the end of the week,  select pictures from the picture collection to represent the growth of a seed to make a class book.

Modifications:
        Follow special needs procedure.

Enrichment Activities:

1.  Students may bring in different kinds of seeds to germinate.  Compare germination lengths.
2.  Ask the question "Can you grow a plant without seeds?"  Record predictions on Venn Diagram for yes or no.  Take a leaf cutting from a philodendron that includes the leaf stem and the main stem.  Have children put the cutting in water and observe how it begins to sprout roots to answer the question.

Evaluation:
Student's journal 
S = Completed all journal pages
U = Did not complete journal pages

National Standards:

Language Arts:
  • Uses a variety of sources to gather information.
  • Listens and responds to a variety of media
Science:
  • Knows that learning can come from careful observations and simple experiments.
  • Knows that tools can be used to gather information and extend the senses.
Math:
  • Knows processes for measuring length using basic standards.
Technology
  • Knows that technology is used at home and at school.

West Virginia Instructional Goals and Objectives:

Language Arts:
  • Listening 1.3, 1.13, 1.15
Science:
  • Nature of Science 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6
  • Scientific Attitudes/Habits of Mind 1.9, 1.10, 1.11
  • Scientific Process/Thinking Skills 1.17, 1.18,  1.20, 1.21, 1.22, 1.23
  • Laboratory Investigations/Hands-on Learning 1.24, 1.25, 1.26
  • Science Themes and Subject Matter 1.27, 1.28, 1.31, 1.33, 1.34,
Math:
  • Measurement 1.35, 1.43
Technology
  • 1.117

References:
Harcourt Science Grade One Textbook

Author:
Lola Brown
Michelle Kelley
Tammy Stalensky

Harden Elementary


Overview
Lesson 1
Lesson 2
Lesson 3
Lesson 4
Lesson 5

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