Teaching students about seeds and planting is a fun unit to teach in the spring. Important topics include; what do plants need, parts of a plant, ways seeds move, photosynthesis, planting vocabulary, and types of soil.  Take a closer look at how these concepts can be taught in a fun and effective way!

Vocabulary Words

Vocabulary words are a great place to start.  Take a look at your science standards and pick and choose the words that are essential for your students to learn.  

This unit has 31 different vocabulary words to choose from.  One suggestion when introducing them is to create a poster with all vocabulary words, showing only one at a time. Ask the students if anyone knows what the word is and what it means.  Then show the picture and continue to ask for more information from them.  Last, show them the definition and ask the students to use the vocabulary word in a sentence.

After teaching the students some of the vocabulary words (I don't suggest teaching them all in one day), the students can begin to assemble the first part of a lapbook!  The planting vocabulary words pocket and cards match perfectly with the vocabulary posters.  The students can find the card they need, write the definition, and draw a picture of the word on the back.  The cards fit nicely into the pockets as seen below.

Bonus – this lapbook is also available to create digitally! Check out both digital and printable versions of this book in the images below.

Mini Readers

The vocabulary words are also found in the planting mini readers.  There are six mini readers that come with this planting unit.  Those mini readers include:

• What Do Plants Need?
• Parts of a Plant
• Plant Life Cycle
• Types of Soil
• Ways Seeds Move
• What is Photosynthesis?

Flip Flaps

Another fun component of the planting unit are the flip flaps!  There are flip flaps for both what plants need and parts of a plant.  Students can cut the flip flaps themselves.  The pictures below show what they should look like when assembled.  It is important to have an example to show the students.

The information needed to complete the flip flaps can be found in the mini readers provided with this unit. The mini readers were designed specifically to provide support for the book-making activities.

Follow-Up With a Hands-On Project

Once your students have learned all about seeds and planting, it's time to apply their new learning in a hands-on way. They will love to take care of and grow their own seeds!

To do this you need:

• Milk cartons or styrofoam cups
• Soil
• Seeds (pumpkins, radishes, or beans work really well)

Give your students a permanent marker or name label to attach to their container.  Apply the learning from the planting unit to discuss what they need to do to take care of their seeds so that they grow.  

Planting Observation Journal

Have your students record their plants growing and changing with planting observation journals.  In these journals, students keep track daily of their seed and its progress.  They will track the date, height of plant, and observational notes.  There is also room for a drawing of the plant on each page.  These science observation journals can also be kept inside the “bookshelf” of the lapbook to easily tie everything together!

When the lapbook is complete it should look something like the images below.  These make a great learning portfolio for parent-teacher conferences or even a parent keepsake.  Lapbooks also make for a great hallway display.

More Springtime Learning Ideas

• Earth Day In The Classroom
• Springtime Room Transformations
• Leprechaun Traps in the Classroom
• Camp Read-a-Lot
• Camp Read A Lot: Social Distancing Style
• Outdoor Learning – Get Outside!

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