Activity Plan 3-4: Sprouting Seeds

Watch children spring right into this sprouting activity

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Ready-To-Use Teaching Ideas: Science

Materials:

• fresh sprouts (homegrown or packaged)
• alfalfa, mustard, clover, and radish seeds
• springwater
• measuring spoons
• 4 large tin pans
• 4 to 9 jars
• cheesecloth
• strainer
• rubber bands
• camera

Developing Skills:

• science
• math
• language

In Advance:

Label the four tin pans and jars with the specific type of seed that will be placed in each. Tape the various seeds onto a sheet of paper and label each type. Photograph the seed chart to use in documenting the project.

ACTIVITY

Introduce this activity at the beginning of the week. During group time, show children fresh sprouts and ask them if they know what they are. If they are not familiar with sprouts, invite them to share their ideas. Place some sprouts on a napkin and invite the group to taste or just examine the sprouts. Explain that they are going to grow four different types of spouts: alfalfa, mustard, clover, and radish.

Divide children into two groups, giving each group two different types of seeds. Photograph each group as they undertake the different steps of the activity. Assist them in measuring three tablespoons of seeds and in placing them in separate tin pans.

Place the seeds in a strainer and rinse with water before placing them in their labeled jars. Cover the rinsed seeds with a few inches of springwater, and let them soak overnight.

The next morning invite groups to strain their seeds by using rubber bands to fasten sheets of cheesecloth over the openings of the jars. Place the jars upside down in the pans so that they will drain. Keep the jars in an area where they cannot be easily tipped over. Later in the day, ask children to repeat the rinsing. Repeat these steps for four more days. Use your calendar to mark off the days and record observations about the sprouts.

Once the sprouts grow, encourage children to observe their differences and similarities. Invite them to draw and photograph the sprouts. Compare the different scents, textures, and flavors. Develop language-experience charts to record children's observations and comments.

Remember: Some children may not be interested in tasting the sprouts. Instead encourage them to observe the different textures, sizes, and scents.

TAKE-HOME ACTIVITY

Sprouts at Home. Send home a copy of the sprout activity so that families can sprout seeds at home.

Curriculum Connection: LITERACY

Documenting our sprouts. Invite small groups of children to review the photographs of their sprout project. Ask them to arrange the photos into a sequence from beginning to end. Then work with the class to create a book about the experience. Include the book in your science library.

Risa Young is the former director of two early childhood programs in the New York City area, the Children's Aid Society's Greenwich Village Center and the Innovative Learning Center at the Long Island College Hospital. She has been a consultant to Early Childhood Today for more than eight years.

Robin Smith teaches K-1 at Chilmark School on Martha's Vineyard, MA. Her school has 58 children, grades K-5. 

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