OBJECTIVE

Students place different seeds between paper towels, predict how long they will take to sprout, and observe the root and shoot.

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

What are seeds? How do seeds grow?

MATERIALS NEEDED

Plastic bags
Paper towels
Marker
Different seeds (e.g., bean, pea, sunflower, pumpkin, corn) Chart to track sprouting

PROCEDURE

Introduction
Show students the seeds and ask them to identify them. Explain that we will try to sprout them. How long will they take to grow? What do we need to give them to grow? When they start to grow, what will happen to them?
Activity
Spray paper towels with water until they are moist, but not wet. Place a few seeds in a row on the paper towel, gently roll it up and place it in the bag. Have students label the bag with the name of the seed.
Ask them to make predictions about how long they will take to sprout. Write these on their chart.
Wrap up/Assessment
Have students make and record observations about whether the seeds have sprouted or not.

FOLLOW UP & EXTENSIONS

Dissect sprouts and identify plant parts.