Date: November 29, 1998

Grade Level(s): Kindergarten, 1

Subject(s):

• Science/Agriculture
• Science/Botany

Duration: one or two 45-minute session

Description:

Students will examine seeds from different types of fruits and vegetables. The students will sort and classify the seeds according to different variables.

Goals:

Students will eventually learn that a new plant grows from a seed.

Objectives:

Students will be able to differentiate seeds by color, shape, size, and texture.

Materials:

A variety of fruits and vegetables, paper plates, fruit and vegetable pictures, experience chart

Procedure:

Motivation: Set up a tray with different fruits and vegetables (apples, cucumbers, oranges, pears, green peppers, and plums). Allow the students to manipulate the items on the tray.

1. Cut open 1 fruit and 1 vegetable. Ask: What is inside this fruit and this vegetable that is the same? (seeds)
2. Discuss with the class that a new plant will grow from a seed. Seeds are found in the frit of the plant.
3. Cut open the rest of the fruits and vegetables. Place each different fruit's and vegetable's seed on a paper plate labeled with a picture of that fruit or vegetable.
4. Ask the students to tell you about each seed's color (e.g. white or brown). Record on experience chart.
5. Repeat for the size (big, small), the shape (flat, round), and the feel of the covering (smooth, rough). Record on experience chart.
6. Have each table of students work together to sort and classify the seeds the class has examined into the four groupings.

Additional Activities:

Count the number of seeds for each fruit and vegetable that has been observed and make a bar graph. Also, plant some of the seeds that the class has examined. Homework: Have students bring in seeds from other different fruits and vegetables.

Assessment:

1. Ask: In what ways are seeds different?
2. Evaluate how the students sorted and classified the seeds into the four groupings.