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Spreading seeds part 1

Science Year 3
This unit is part of Year 2 Science Ready, Steady, Grow!

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Objectives

Explore the outdoors, looking at how plants disperse their seeds and why. Think specifically about plants that spread their seeds by utilising the wind. Make a seed helicopter and a dandelion seed.

Science Objectives
i) Observe and describe how seeds and bulbs grow into mature plants.

ii) Find out and describe how plants need water, light and a suitable temperature to grow/stay healthy.

Working Scientifically

  1. Ask simple questions and recognise that they can be answered in different ways.
  2. Observe closely, using simple equipment.
  3. Perform simple tests.
  4. Identify and classify.
  5. Use their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions.
  6. Gather and record data to help answer questions.

You Will Need

Provided Resources

  • Seed dispersal resource
  • How to make a Helicopter Seed and a Dandelion Seed model

Additional Resources

  • Card, paper clips & scissors
  • Cotton buds
  • Modelling putty or foam clay
  • Art straws
  • Seeds, fruits and flowers
  • Magnifying glasses
  • Sketchbooks
  • 'Travelling Seeds' and 'Bees Like Flowers' by Rebecca Bielawski
  • 'The Tiny Seed' by Eric Carle

Weblinks
Information for teachers on seed dispersal from www.kidsdiscover.com

Lesson Planning

Teaching

  • Consider seed development and dispersal and generate questions about plant growth.
  • Create and test a seed helicopter.
  • Make a seed helicopter and try it out in the playground.
  • Examine dandelion plants using a magnifying glass.
  • Make a dandelion seed each and form together to make a dandelion plant.
  • Use scientific vocabulary such as: seed, disperse, wind, pollination.

Activities

  1. Understand why it is important for a plant to spread its seeds.
  2. Understand what is meant by the words 'dispersal/disperse', pollination' and 'seed'.
  3. Make a seed helicopter and a dandelion seed.

Investigation - exploring, researching and analysing secondary sources
Make a seed helicopter and try it out in the playground. Collect dandelion plants and look carefully at their seeds, using a magnifying glass. Make a dandelion seed each and form together to make a dandelion plant.

Vocabulary
Seed, disperse, wind, pollination

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