Lesson 2: Planting Seeds
(30 – 40 minutes, with follow up observations for 7-28 days)
Key question
- “How can we prove that a corn seed does or does not need soil to germinate and grow?”
Learning Objectives
- The learner will plan and conduct an investigation to understand what type of soil a corn seed needs to grow and be successful.
- The learner will make observations and record their findings to construct an evidence-based account that corn needs soil to germinate and grow.
Materials
- A gift card has been provided to help buy any materials you do not have at your home.
- Corn Plant Growth Worksheets (page S1-6)
- Glue
- Scissors
- Pencils
- Corn Seeds
- Planting Containers
- Soil (and other material such as sand, rocks)
- Balance scale and gram pieces to measure soil/other materials amounts
- Water
NOTE: You can choose to have your students keep a science journal instead of making copies of the worksheets.
Guided Teaching
Introduction
Introduce the topic and activate prior learning: Begin with the questions posed during the conclusion of the previous lesson:
- “How can we prove a corn seed does or does not need SOIL to germinate and grow?”
Get out the Corn Plant Growth Worksheets. Working together, come up with the answers to the questions.
Page S1
- Question: How can we create an experiment to test or focus questions?
- Write out the steps *Remember the focus question is: I wonder if a seed has to have soil to grow?
- “What steps can we take to create and plan an investigation to test our ideas?” Example: The children can pick a different type of soil to plant their seeds in. The children can also plant a control plant that would show the growth of a corn plant as it would be growing in a farm field, soil.
- If you have the supplies, you can pick multiple types of soil to plant kernels in. Soil examples: rock, wood chips, chunked up styrofoam, torn up paper, pencil shavings, etc.
- Question: What materials do we need to conduct this investigation? Record what is needed on page S1.
- Question: Draw a picture below of what you think this experiment will look like once it is set up.
Instructions for planting corn seeds
- As mentioned above, make sure to plant a control plant in the soil wafers provided.
- Be sure to label planting containers with the amount of water that was decided to be a good amount of water daily.
- Guide your child in how to use measurement tools correctly and emphasize the importance of keeping amounts constant so they can conduct a fair test among the conditions.
Planning and Conducting
- Use the data collection pages to collect observations throughout the growing process. These can be found on page S3.
- Looking over the data collection sheet, talk about what makes good quality data collection.
- Set up a schedule for the duration of the investigation (7-28 days) for observations to take place. Observations can be made every few days in the “Corn Plant Growth Data” sheets.
Observe and Record Results
- Have your child water the soil everyday throughout the next 7-28 days as needed. Should be damp to the touch. Don’t over water.
- Provide a brief (3-5 minutes) observation time during those days/weeks for your child to observe and record the progress or lack of progress, of their plants.
Conclude
- Prompt your child to collect data, make accurate observations and record the data. Keep wonder alive by showing deep interest in their observations, asking them what they have found, what data they are collecting and if they have any preliminary thoughts based on their evidence? Refer back to the investigation question: “How can we prove that corn seed does or does not need soil to germinate and grow?”
Early Elementary Activity
Math Activity
- Learn how to measure with a ruler. As their corn plant starts to grow, it will be important for your child to measure their plant daily for their observations. Talk to your child about inches and centimeters and what the numbers represent on each side. (It is suggested just to stick to whole numbers while measuring.)
- Ruler activity: a series of lines can be drawn on a paper for your learner to measure on their own. When your child writes down the measurement, encourage them to write the label as well.
Upper Elementary Activity
Math Activity
- Further your ruler knowledge! As their corn plant starts to grow, it will be important for your child to measure their plant daily for their observations. Talk to your child about measuring to the nearest ¼ and ½ inches. Ruler activity: give your child a scavenger hunt of materials or items they need to measure around the house. Encourage them to write the label as well.