Early Science  /  Plants  /  Week 2: Lesson 4  /  Activity

Class Garden: From Seed to Plant

 

Plants
Hands-On

Children observe and draw pictures of Class Garden plants, showing a seed and the plant that has grown from that seed.

Two students sit at a table with two plants and drawing sheets. A teacher points to one child's drawing sheet. Student observes a plant.

Display several Class Garden plants (and seeds). If you wish, provide From Seed to Plant drawing sheets.

Choose a Class Garden plant and matching seeds to draw.

 

Materials


 
Materials PDF
  • Sprouting seeds in bags and plants in soil from the Class Garden
  • Paper (for printing or drawing)
  • Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
  • Optional: From Seed to Plant (PDF)
  • Optional: Clear, easy-peel sticker labels (Avery® 5630) or copy paper and tape
  • Optional: Magnifying glass

Preparation

  1. Optional: For each child, print a copy of page 1 of the From Seed to Plant drawing sheet on plain paper.
  2. Optional: Print several sheets of the Plant Part Sticker Labels (page 2 of the same PDF) on clear, easy-peel sticker labels or use regular copy paper and attach labels with tape.
 

Directions: Lesson 4


Guided Small Group
  1. Invite children to name and describe the different parts of the plants they are examining. They can also compare the roots, stems, and leaves on different plants. Possible discussion ideas:
    • What do you notice about the sprout on the (sunflower) seed? Is it big or small? Is it short or tall? How is it different from the sprout on the (lentil) seed?
    • How has the (sunflower) changed since we planted the seed?
    • How many leaves do you see on the (sunflower) plant? The (lentil) plant? Which plant has more leaves? Which one has the
    • Which plant or seed do you want to draw? What do you especially like about that plant or seed?
    • What do you think this seed will look like as it grows into a plant?
  2. Encourage children to examine the Class Garden seeds and plants closely before drawing. They may wish to use a magnifying glass.
  3. Children can draw on plain paper or use a From Seed to Plant drawing sheet. Invite children to name and describe the parts of the plants they are drawing. If you wish, help children attach Plant Part Sticker Labels to their drawings.
Learning Center
  1. Children will draw a seed and the plant that grows from that seed on a drawing sheet.
  2. If they choose, children can add Plant Part Sticker Labels to their drawing.
  3. Encourage children to talk about the Class Garden seeds and plants. If pictures from the seed packet have been taped to the soil containers, you may want to draw attention to these. Invite children to describe their artwork as well.
  4. Drawing a fantasy seed and the fantasy plant that grows from the seed is a nice variation to encourage. Many science discussion prompts are still relevant in discussing their imagined plants, such as:
    • Tell me about your drawing/this part of your drawing. What do you think this seed will look like as it grows into a plant?
    • What kind of flowers will your plant have?
    • What kind of fruit will your plant have?
    • Would you like me to write anything on your picture?
 

Directions: Lessons 7, 10


Learning Center
  1. Children will draw a seed and the plant that grows from that seed on a drawing sheet.
  2. If they choose, children can add Plant Part Sticker Labels to their drawing.
  3. Encourage children to talk about the Class Garden seeds and plants. If pictures from the seed packet have been taped to the soil containers, you may want to draw attention to these. Invite children to describe their artwork as well.
  4. Drawing a fantasy seed and the fantasy plant that grows from the seed is a nice variation to encourage. Many science discussion prompts are still relevant in discussing their imagined plants, such as:
    • Tell me about your drawing/this part of your drawing.
    • What kind of flowers will your plant have?
    • What kind of fruit will your plant have?
    • Would you like me to write anything on your picture?
    • What do you think this seed will look like as it grows into a plant? (to match earlier Learning Center)

Length of Play

5–15 min.

Group Size
In the Schedule

 
Vocabulary

  • big
  • compare
  • describe
  • flower
  • fruit
  • leaves
  • plant (noun)
  • root
  • seeds
  • small
  • sprout
  • stem
 
Learning Goals

Science
  • Observe and describe plant parts and their functions.
  • Compare and contrast plant parts and their functions.
  • Record observations and data about plant parts and their functions.
Math
  • Compare quantities (taller/shorter).
  • Compare size (big/small).