Lesson Plan #5
Duration:
One-hour session
Objectives:
Students will predict how many seeds are in an apple.
Materials:
Apple, paper towel,
plastic knife
Seed Prediction Worksheet
Computer with Internet and spreadsheet application
Vocabulary:
Predict- guess
Procedures:
1. Discuss
foods that children have eaten which contain seeds.
2. Ask students
where the apple seeds are found. (in the center)
3. Ask students what
the seeds look like. (small, brown or black)
4. Give students Seed Prediction Worksheets and tell them to
make their
predictions on the worksheet.
5. Give each student
his materials and have students get the seeds out of the
apple.
6. Count the seeds
for each apple and record the number on the worksheet.
7. Compare the
prediction with the actual count.
8. Make a class
chart to share the results. Use a spreadsheet application to create
and publish the chart.
9. Discuss what the
class chart shows about apple seeds.
10. Have students visit
Yahooligans/Ask Earl to learn the difference between a seed and a nut.
Have students compare and contrast nuts and
seeds: A seed is defined as a plant structure,
such as a small dry fruit capable of producing a
new plant. A seed is anything that
can produce a new plant. A nut is defined
as a a hard-shelled dry fruit, such as a
peanut in the shell, or seed, such as a
Brazil nut with an inner kernel.
Assessment:
Teachers will evaluate students' charts: each chart must contain how many seeds were predicted and how many seeds were actually found.
Home Learning:
Students will find and
bring to class various seeds from home, garden and/or yard. In class, the
students will create a table of types of seeds brought from the home. See
example:
| Kinds of Seeds Found at Home | Kinds of Seeds Found in the Garden/Yard |
| sunflower | tubers |
| pumpkin | bulbs |
| berry seeds | corn kernels |
| Brazil nut (is a seed) | berry seeds |
Extension Activity:
Students will visit Le
Crunch. They will read about apples in different myths and legends, such as
Snow White and the poisoned apple and the apple of discord in the story of Paris
and the beautiful goddesses Aphrodite, Hera and Athena. Have students write
their own myth or legend about an apple. Their story can be posted on the school
web site or at Kid
Authors.
