Activity Outcomes:
- Students learn that seeds feel and look different based on the seed type
- Students learn that different plants have different seeds
Materials and Prep
- 5-6 different varieties of Large and Medium Sized Seeds in zip lock or brown paper bag
- Suggestions: Pumpkin, Corn, Peas, Beans, Sunflowers, Oats, Rice.
- Keep your seed bag diverse in size, shape, texture, and color for the most fun and interactive game
- Review the activity and familiarize yourself with your Learning Garden
- Orient any volunteers to the activity and how your planting day will be structured
Teacher Background
Use this activity in tandem with the Planting Seeds Activity and Soil Investigation Activity to create a three station planting day with support from volunteers! To see an outline for the day, please review Planting with your Classroom.
This game introduces students to the diversity of seeds and ways we interact with seeds.
Suggested modifications based on age range and student aptitude:
- Younger students form groups based on observable characteristics
- Older students form groups based on what type of seed they think they are holding
This game allows teachers and or volunteers to work with a small group of students in the Learning Garden. Students can rotate between different activities so they can get one on one attention while they are investigating the soil. If you have a volunteer helping you today, make sure the volunteer reviews this activity!
Introduction
Welcome your students to the Learning Garden and line students up along one side of the Learning Garden. Stand on the opposite side so you can address the entire group.
Ask students if they know what they will be doing in the Learning Garden today. Let them know they will be investigating seeds, not with their eyes but with their hands.
Introduce the bag of seeds to the group of students, by walking down the line to allow them to take a quick peak inside of the bag showing the diversity of seeds in the bag.
Ask students to raise their hand if they recognize any similarities, differences, or specific seed types, giving hints if they need it.
You can then ask, “Can you guess what other seeds we might eat?” “Did you know when you are eating pizza dough you are eating seeds (wheat), or if you are eating tortillas, beans, and rice you are eating all seeds!”
Garden Activity
Have students take one seed from the bag and instruct them not to look at their seed.
Using their hands, have the students feel the seed and think of descriptive words they can use to describe their seed. Ask a few students to share out descriptive words that describe their seed.
Younger students should be instructed to form groups based on different characteristics that you share with the class. For example, have students who have a bumpy seed stand on one side of the Learning Garden and students who have a smooth seed stand on the other side.
Older students should be instructed to form groups based the type of seed they think they are holding. Prompt students to form groups based on the seeds that are in the bag, saying each seed and instructing the students on where they should stand.
After students have assembled into their different groups, have them compare their results to see if they have the same seeds as the rest of the students in the group. Give students the opportunity to show off their seeds and find other students that also have the same seed as them.
Help students place the seeds back in the bag and return to their place in line.
This game can be repeated as needed given timing and interest.
Conclusion
Have students share out key parts of today’s discussion and review the Activity Outcomes.
Students should clean-up the Learning Garden as needed.
