Focus: Plants that grow from seed.

Activity, Exploring parts of a seed

Subject:

Science

Objectives:

A. The children will explore different parts of seeds.

B. The children will work in corporative groups.

Materials Needed:

• Lima beans; soak in water overnight
• Magnifying glasses
• Illustration of lima bean with baby plant inside

Describe the Activity:

1. Divide children into cooperative groups.

2. Give each student a seed, lima bean that has been soaked in water so it is easier to open. 

3. Show them how to open the seeds carefully.  (They fall apart, so you must be gentle!) 

4. Ask students to see if they can find out how a seed turns into a plant.

5.   Have them talk about it with their groups as they look. 

6. Get back into one group and show illustration of lima bean with baby plant inside.

Questions:

What would if I didn’t soak the beans in water over night?

What do you think would happen if we put a lima bean in a zip lock bag with a wet paper towel?