The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project

Let’s Watch Seeds Sprout

Let’s Watch Seeds Sprout

A K-2nd Grade STEM Lesson

Heather Wilson

1/19/23

Notes for Teachers

Prepare the seeds ahead of time:

-Fill the planter tray ¾ full of luke warm water and stir in 1 tsp of household bleach.

-Place 32 each of the corn, mung,pea, pinto, and sunflower seeds in the tray.

-Add just enough water level about an inch above the seeds.

-Soak the seeds for 3-5 minutes.

-The bleach will prevent the growth of mold.

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-Keep the sponges damp for a couple of weeks for observation.

A -¼ in. of water should be kept in the tray at all times.

-Since the seeds are not under soil, students are able to observe them day by day as they sprout and grow.

List of Materials

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For each team of four:

• 1 9-oz plastic cup
• 2 magnifiers
• 1 sponge
• 1 plastic spoon
• 1 small plastic planter tray
• *1 tsp. household bleach

For the class:

• corn seeds
• mung bean seeds
• pea seeds
• pinto beans seeds
• sunflower seeds

Arizona Standards

Life Science:

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1.L2U2.7 Develop and use models about how living things use resources to grow and survive; design and evaluate habitats for organisms using earth materials.

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● Use and share pictures, drawings, and/or writings of observations.

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● Use observations to describe patterns and/or relationships in the natural and designed worlds in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems. Make measurements of length to quantify data.

Science and Engineering Practices:

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• ask questions and define problems
• plan and carry out investigations
• analyze and interpret data
• use mathematical and computational thinking
• obtain, evaluate and communicate information

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ELA:

1.SL.5 Add drawings or other visual displays to descriptions when appropriate to clarify ideas, thoughts, and feelings.

1.SL.6 Produce complete sentences when appropriate to task and situation.

1.L.6 Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading and being read to, and responding to texts, including using frequently occurring conjunctions to signal simple relationships.

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Objective(s):

Today we will sprout several kinds of seeds without soil.

Today we will observe and identify roots and shoots.

Today we will observe and compare the seeds as they sprout over the next 7-10 days.

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Agenda (30 minutes)

Create the sprouting sponges.

Each team will get a damp sponge and a tray.

Pass out the cup with the seeds for students to sprinkle on top of the damp sponge.

Students use their journals to draw and label their sponge and seeds.

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Opening

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Do you think seeds can grow without being in any soil?

Have you seen any plants/weeds grow in a place other than in soil? (sidewalk crack)

We will be doing an activity to see if seeds can start growing on a sponge. We will watch the seeds sprout and grow for 7-10 days, journaling what we see and notice.

Hands-on Activity Instructions

Get each sponge damp.

Each group of 4 will get a planter tray and damp sponge.

Each group will get 1 of each seed to place on top of the sponge: corn, munch, pea, pinto, and sunflower.

Label each tray for the groups. Add additional water so there is ¼ in. of water around the sponge.

Students will draw what their sponge looks like with the new seeds.

Every other day, students will draw and write about their seeds on the sponges.

Have students use a magnifier to examine and compare the roots and shoots of their seeds.

Students will measure the growth of the plants.

These are the planting trays from Delta Science.

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Regular, basic cleaning sponge

Assessment

• Make sure to walk around and do observations throughout the lesson.
• Ask questions while going around to each group to hear their answers or by referring to their drawings and writing in their journals.

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• Can you find roots or shoots on your seeds?
• What do you notice about your seeds?

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Differentiation

• Create a word wall with key vocabulary and images.
• Provide video and book resources on seeds and growth.
• Students can draw what they see by keeping a drawing journal.
• Use visuals throughout the lesson.

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

• Create a sprouting bag to see if the seeds will sprout in a bag with a damp paper towel.
• Ask students: How will they sprout? Will the roots grow up or down?
• Students can plant some of their sprouting seeds in soil while the rest keep growing in the sprouting trays.
• Students can add smaller seeds like alfalfa, marigold, morning glory, radish, and rye grass seeds.