Science Lesson 3.

Growing plants
Blocks : 4 x 75 minute lessons

Big Idea : Growing plants from seeds

Importance : For students to understand that plants spread their seeds to reproduce
Assessment Evidence : Unit Test

Learning Related Assessment

Num. Core Knowledge Activities For Learning
Objective Vocabulary Questions
1. To understand  Plants spread  Explain and discuss the different ways plants spread their seeds  Reproduce  Why do plants
that plants spread their seeds in including:  Disperse need to disperse
their seeds to order to  Gravity: The seeds simply drop off the plant and land on the ground.  Survive their seeds?
reproduce. reproduce This can sometimes cause problems as the new plants then compete  Gravity  Describe two
 Some plants rely with the older plants for light, water and space e.g Apple tree  Rely different ways
on the wind to  Wind: The seeds are carried by the wind. Some seeds have a  Pepperpot of dispersing
spread their seeds ‘parachute’ which helps them to fly e.g dandelion and sycamore seeds.
 Some plants rely  Animals: Some seeds have little hooks which catch onto the fur of  Which method
on animals to passing animals. Some seeds are eaten by animals but are not fully of seed
spread their seeds digested, they pass through the animal. dispersal do
 Pepperpot: The plant holds its seeds in a pot shaped part with holes you think works
at the top, when the wind blows the pot is shaken and the seeds fall best?
out e.g poppy  How do
 Read The Tiny Seed and explore what happens to the seeds scientists know
 Look at selections of seeds and discuss how children think seeds might be about seed
dispersed – give reasons. dispersal?
 Create a display or information booklet describing the different ways that  What problems
seeds are dispersed do some seeds
 Children can act out seed dispersal using props e.g. sticky tape on ping face when they
pong balls are dispersed?
Resources:
This BBC Clip is an excellent illustration of the number of ways that seeds can be dispersed.
The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle- read the story and explore what happened to the seeds throughout their journey.
This collection of songs from Out of the Ark Musichas some fantastic songs for this unit including our favourite; A Tiny Seed.