Learning About Plants and Seeds in Grades 1 and 2
The first and second graders have been learning about plants and seeds this month. They joined our Learning Specialist, Elissa, on a walking field trip to collect native plant seeds from her front yard.
Observation, Practice, and Stewardship
Students observed plants around the neighborhood, noticing the different ways plants have evolved to spread their seeds to new locations.
Common Milkweed was a favorite with its large pods filled with hundreds of seeds that use soft fibers to disperse on the wind. They practiced their fine motor skills using garden clippers to clip seed heads off of the stems of purple coneflower, coreopsis, blanket flower, and yarrow. The students made sure to leave some seed heads for the birds who love to snack on seeds throughout the winter.
Exploring the Environment Using Their Senses
They used multiple senses to explore the garden, feeling the spiky seeds of the coneflower and the soft silk of the milkweed. They smelled the herbal scent of bergamot and watched a variety of pollinators buzz all around pink and purple aster and bright orange tithonia. They brought the seeds back to their classroom where they measured and compared the seeds they collected as well as seeds donated by Friends School families and staff.
Just Wait Until Spring…
In the spring, the first and second graders will team up with the Kindergarten class to start vegetable seeds indoors to transplant into the new raised garden beds by the sand pit. It will be exciting to see the whole life cycle of a plant in action.
