Growing from Seeds

Overview

Unit: Seasons and Living Things (Lesson 8 of 21)
Duration: 50 minutes
Class size: 4 students
Year group: Year 1 (Ages 5-6)
National Curriculum Reference:

• Science - Plants
  • “Identify and name a variety of common wild and garden plants, including deciduous and evergreen trees.”
  • “Observe and describe how seeds and bulbs grow into mature plants.”
  • “Find out and describe how plants need water, light and a suitable temperature to grow and stay healthy.”
    (NC: KS1 Science - Plants, Years 1 and 2)

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

• Observe and describe the process of seed germination and early plant growth.
• Identify and explain basic needs of plants to grow (water, light, warmth).
• Use simple scientific vocabulary related to seeds and plants (e.g., seed, shoot, root, stem, leaves).
• Demonstrate care for living things by planting and caring for their own seed.

Curriculum Links

• Science: Working scientifically by making observations over time.
• Personal Development: Taking responsibility by caring for growing plants.
• Maths (cross-curricular): Recording observations and measuring plant growth (using non-standard units).
• Communication: Speaking and listening skills through discussion and explanation.

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Lesson Structure

Starter (10 minutes)

Activity: Interactive ‘Seed Talk’ Circle

• Sit in a circle with students and ask: "What do you think happens to a seed when we plant it in the soil?"
• Show real seeds (e.g., beans, sunflower seeds) and a bulb to compare.
• Discuss ideas, introducing vocabulary: seed, root, shoot, stem, leaves.
• Use a large colourful picture chart showing stages of seed growing into a plant.
• Relate briefly to the seasons by asking if plants grow all year or more in certain seasons.

Main Activity (30 minutes)

Activity 1: Planting Our Seeds (15 minutes)

• Provide each student with:
  • Small pots or clear plastic cups
  • Soil
  • A bean seed (or similar fast-germinating seed)
  • Water spray bottle
• Demonstrate:
  • How to fill the pot with soil gently.
  • How to plant the seed about 2 cm deep.
  • Lightly water the seed.
• Students plant their own seeds and water them carefully.
• Ensure pots are placed on a windowsill or designated light area in the classroom.

Activity 2: Observation Journal Introduction (15 minutes)

• Give each student a simple “Plant Growth Observation Sheet” (large font with pictures).
• Discuss how to observe the seed daily or twice a week:
  • What changes do they see?
  • How tall is the shoot?
  • Are leaves appearing?
• Model how to draw simple pictures of their seed growing and help write 1-2 simple sentences or words describing what they see.
• Set expectations that they will observe and record changes every time they visit their plant over the coming weeks.

Plenary (10 minutes)

Sharing & Recap Discussion

• Invite each student to share one thing they did today and how they think their seed will grow.
• Use prompts:
  • “What do plants need to grow?”
  • “What will you do to help your seed grow well?”
• Recap vocabulary words with flashcard-style quick quiz (e.g., “What is this?” showing a stem picture).
• Explain that next lesson they will continue observing and learn more about what plants need to live.

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Assessment

• Formative: Observation of students’ participation in discussion, ability to follow planting instructions, vocabulary use during the lesson.
• Product: Completed planting task and initial entry in observation journal (drawing and/or words).
• Peer assessment: Encouraging students to comment kindly on each other’s seeds and drawings during plenary.

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Resources Needed

• Variety of seeds (preferably beans for quick germination)
• Small pots or transparent plastic cups
• Potting soil
• Water spray bottles or small watering cans
• Observation sheets with simple prompt questions and space for drawing
• Picture chart illustrating seed to plant stages
• Vocabulary flashcards (seed, shoot, root, stem, leaf, water, light, warmth)

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Differentiation

• Support: Provide one-to-one guidance with planting; use picture-based instructions for SEN or EAL students.
• Extension: Encourage more able students to measure shoot height using a ruler and record in centimetres, or to write a simple sentence about what the seed needs.

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Teacher Notes

• Monitor each student’s planting technique carefully to ensure correct depth and gentle handling of seeds.
• Reinforce the concept that plants are living and need daily care, connecting to personal responsibility.
• Use positive reinforcement to build scientific curiosity and confidence in observation skills.
• Keep the mood light and interactive to match developmental needs of Year 1 children.
• Plan to revisit the plants regularly after this lesson to maintain engagement and continuity.

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This detailed lesson plan ensures alignment with the English National Curriculum for Year 1 Science, focusing on working scientifically and understanding plant growth, while engaging students actively through hands-on planting and observation activities.