OBJECTIVE

Students will be able to locate the parts of a seed

Students will compare a dried seed to a seed that has been rehydrated

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

How do seeds grow?

MATERIALS NEEDED

• Dried beans (lima or other big beans), enough for three per student
• soaked beans (overnight is best) three per student
• small jars with covers or plastic wrap enough for one per student
• water
• paper and pencils

PROCEDURE

Introduction:
A seed is a magical package. Inside rests a baby plant awaiting the right conditions for its emergence and grow. The baby plant (embryo) is ‘asleep’ in the seed along with enough food to supply energy for the plant until it grows its leaves. Many children (and adults) are fascinated when they first see the ‘baby’ resting inside the seed.

Activity:

Pass out three dried beans to each student. Ask students to trace the shape of the beans on a piece of paper. Students share any observations of the bean. Write down the observations on a board.

1. Pass out three of there soaked beans to each student. Have the students compare the soaked beans to the dry beans. How have they changed? Write these observations next to the dry bean observations on the board.
2. Instruct the students to, very gently, peel the seed coat (thin, pale layer covering the meat of the bean) from one of the beans. Have them gently split the bean into two halves. Share observations.
3. Guide students through identifying the different parts of the sprouted bean (roots, sprout, leaves, etc.)
   

Wrap up/ Assessment:
Students draw the sprouted bean next to the traced dry bean. Ask students to draw all of the parts of the bean.

FOLLOW UP & EXTENSIONS

• Seeds: Living/Nonliving
• Introduction to Seeds: Part 1 and Part 2