Begin the plants lesson with reading Joseph Jacobs' English fairytale, Jack and the Beanstalk. This fairy tale is a wonderful way to introduce plants and seeds. As you read the fairy tale, stop and have mini discussions in regards to plants. Ask questions about plants to assess students' prior knowledge.
Seed Growing Questions
- What is a seed?
- What is a magical seed?
- Where do seeds come from?
- How do seeds travel from place to place?
- What did the beanstalk need to grow?
- What do plants need to grow?
- Why did Jack use an axe to cut down the tree?
After reading the fairy tale give each student a few budgie seeds and have them predict what type of plant will grow from them. As well, have them include a drawing of their plant. Before their prediction, compare their seeds with the picture of the seeds in story Jack and the Beanstalk. By comparing their seeds, you should have fewer students predict the seeds will grow into a giant beanstalk.
Next part of the lesson is for students to plant their seeds and to create an ideal environment to ensure their growth. As a group, plant the budgie seeds in the transparent plastic cups. Plastic cups are a good container choice, as students will be able to see all the plant parts such as the roots. Often roots are more of an abstract idea as students are unable to physically see them.
Rather than instructing students how to plant the seeds, continue with asking questions to help the class to decide how to plant them. Model each step after a brief discussion on how to plant a seed. After the seeds are planted, students may predict how long it will take for the budgie seeds to sprout. Budgie seeds usually grow within a couple of days. In addition, different seedlings begin to grow as budgie seeds are a combination of seeds.
Seed Planting Materials
- budgie seed (found at pet stores)
- transparent plastic cups
- potting soil
- water
- spray button
- sunshine
Instructions for Planting Seeds
- Fill the plastic cup with potting soil about 3/4 full.
- Sprinkle the budgie seed on top of the soil. (Budgie seeds are the ideal seeds as they are fast growing and a variety of grass grows in the container)
- Lightly sprinkle some potting soil on top of the seeds.
- Mist the seeds with a spray bottle.
- Place on a sunny window ledge.
- Continually mist the seeds to ensure the seeds do not dry out.
After students have planted the budgie seeds, begin a discussion about the main elements required for the seeds to grow successful. As well, talk about why people talk to plants in regards to the gas carbon dioxide and how they aid the plants' growth. During the plants unit, students may have the plant on their desk during the day and leave it on the plant table at night. In a few short days, each student has a live example of a plant to use to answer questions about plant systems.
Growing plants from seeds is a wonderful activity to teach students about the plant systems. It engages the students and gives them hands-on experience about plants. This is a wonderful beginning primary science lesson plan for plants.
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