Plant Seeds

Suggested Grade Level: Preschool-K

Based on: Barney & Friends #713: "Spring Into Fun!"

Objectives:
Children begin to understand the concept of "year" and the passing of time partially through their observation of seasonal changes in weather and temperatures. Planting seeds and watching their growth is a great springtime activity.

The children will:

• know characteristics of spring: blossoming trees and flowers, rain, wind, warmer temperatures
• understand that spring is the season after winter
• learn that spring is one of four seasons
• participate in spring activities
• plant and observe a growing seed

Skills:

• Following directions
• Scientific process
• Compare/contrast

Materials:

• Clear plastic cups
• Different seeds (some suggestions include lima beans, marigold, zinnia)
• Water
• Sun

Directions:
Give each child three clear plastic cups. Have them fill the cups 2/3 full with potting soil. Drop in one different seed in each cup and cover with more soil.

Water lightly.

Make sure the cups are placed in a warm, sunny area.

On a large classroom chart, ask children to predict which type of seed will sprout first. They can also predict how long it will take.

Check the seeds daily. When they start sprouting, look at the prediction chart. Ask students to guess why each sprout grew as it did (received more water, was closer to the sun, etc.)

Ask students to guess why springtime would be the best time to plant most seeds. (In most areas, the springtime is when temperatures are not too hot or too cold, the sun shines, and there is a good amount of rain.)

Extension:
"Jack and the Beanstalk"

Read a version of this story, and ask children to act it out.

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