Rationale: Since plants help people live, students need to know how plants grow and what they need to survive.
Objectives: Tlw verbally identify seeds as part of a plant.
Tlw observe the tiny plant in a lima bean.
Tlw label the parts of a seed.
Materials needed: Lima bean, magnifying glass.
Lesson focus: Read poem ╥In the Heart of a Seed.╙ Ask students what they know about seeds.
Instructional input: Lead a discussion to determine what students know about seeds. Ask questions such as, ╥What is a seed?╙ ╥Do you ever wonder what is inside a seed?╙ ╥ How does a plant grow from this little seed?╙ Inform students that they are going to look at a seed and see what makes plants grow. Students return to their desk and observe their lima bean. Ask them to use the magnifying glass to look at it closely. After about 5 - 10 minutes, ask students what they observed. Inform students that every seed has a little plant inside and a seed coat. Ask, ╥Why do you think their is a little plant inside?╙ ╥Why is it there?╙ Why do seeds have coats? Why do you wear coats?╙ Show students where the food is stored and discuss why there is food inside.
Guided practice: Students look at their seed more closely. Using the magnifying glass, the students will locate the plant and coat. Suggest to the students that they might want to write down things that they notice about their seed. As students are observing, walk around to each group and ask questions. For example, ╥Did you find the plant?╙ ╥Can you point to the seed coat?╙
Closure: Students will discuss what they found inside the seed. Ask questions to assess the student╒s knowledge. --- ╥What do you think happens to the tiny plant when the seed is planted in the ground?╙ ╥What three things were found inside the seed?╙ Conclude the lesson by having the students repeat the three things found in a seed. -- ╙So, today we╒ve learned that inside each seed, a little plant is found. The little plant is the beginning of a new plant. Also, each seed has a coat to protect the little plant and food to help the new plant begin to grow.╙
Independent practice: Students will draw a seed and label the parts.
Evaluation: The student╒s learning will be assessed through observation, asking questions, and looking at their drawing of the seed.
