Growing Seeds Together

Overview

Year group: 1
Class size: 4 students
Duration: 50 minutes
Unit: Seasons and Living Things (Lesson 8 of 21)
Lesson Title: Growing from Seeds
National Curriculum Link:

• Science Programme of Study - Year 1
• Plants - Pupils should be taught to:
  • identify and name a variety of common wild and garden plants, including deciduous and evergreen trees
  • identify and describe the basic structure of a variety of common flowering plants, including trees
  • observe changes across the four seasons
  • 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

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will:

• Understand that seeds need certain conditions to grow into healthy plants.
• Be able to plant a seed and observe it over time.
• Describe what a seed needs to grow (water, light, warmth).
• Begin to use simple scientific language like "seed," "sprout," "root," and "shoot."
• Make observations and record simple notes or pictures about growth.

Key Vocabulary

Seed, soil, water, light, sprout, roots, shoot, grow, plant, temperature.

---

Resources

• Small clear plastic pots or yoghurt pots (1 per student)
• Variety of easy-to-grow seeds (e.g. beans or cress)
• Potting compost or soil
• Water spray bottles or cups for watering
• Magnifying glasses (optional)
• Seed growth observation sheets with simple drawings and space for notes/drawings
• Chart paper & coloured markers
• Labels for pots

---

Lesson Structure

1. Introduction (10 minutes)

• Gather students in a circle around a large clear container with sprouting seeds already growing (prepared in advance).
• Ask: “What do you notice about these seeds? How have they changed?”
• Show a whole seed and a seed that has sprouted, discussing key parts (seed coat, roots, shoot).
• Explain the lesson objective: “Today we are going to plant seeds ourselves and find out what they need to grow big and strong!”
• Use a large visual poster to show the three main things plants need: water, light, and warmth.

2. Guided Practical Activity: Planting Seeds (20 minutes)

• Demonstrate step-by-step how to fill the pots with soil, make a small hole, plant the seed, cover it gently with soil, and water it lightly.
• Each student then plants their own seed pot with support as needed.
• Label each pot with the student’s name.
• Discuss as they work: “What will happen to your seed? What do you think it needs every day for it to grow?”
• Encourage children to predict and talk about the seed’s future growth.

3. Observing and Recording (10 minutes)

• Give each child their observation sheets.
• Model drawing or writing what they see during planting (seed, soil, water).
• Explain this sheet will be completed over time to see how the seed grows.
• Encourage children to use simple sentences or drawings to describe their seed.
• Optional: Use magnifying glasses to look closely at seeds and soil.

4. Discussion and Reflection (7 minutes)

• Sit back in the circle and discuss what they learned.
• Ask questions like:
  • “What do seeds need to grow?”
  • “Why is water important?”
  • “What do you think will happen next?”
• Record their answers on the chart paper to create a class ‘What plants need’ poster.

5. Placing Seeds and Wrap-up (3 minutes)

• Together, decide on a warm and light place in the classroom for the pots.
• Set a routine for watering and observing the seeds daily.
• Remind the students that next time they will look for changes in their seeds.

---

Assessment

• Ongoing formative assessment through questioning and observation during planting and discussion.
• Use of observation sheets to assess understanding of seed growth and plant needs.
• Check language use (e.g., ‘roots’, ‘shoots’) during plenary and discussions.
• Teacher to note confidence and use of scientific vocabulary for each child.

---

Differentiation

• Support for lower ability: one-to-one assistance during planting, use of pictorial recording sheet.
• Extension for higher ability: encourage children to explain why plants need light and water, ask them to compare predictions with actual growth over coming weeks.
• Visual and tactile learners supported by handling seeds, soil, and pots.
• Discussion and questioning support verbal learners.

---

Homework suggestion (Optional)

Ask students to look at plants at home or outside and draw a picture showing the parts of the plant they notice. Bring their picture to share in the next lesson.

---

Notes for Teachers

• Preparing seed pots in advance can save time, but student participation in planting increases engagement and understanding.
• Keep a class growth diary with photographs each week to show progress and maintain interest.
• Link this lesson with English lessons by having children tell stories or poems about growing plants or seeds.
• Incorporate simple technology by having children take photos or create a simple “growing diary” slideshow.

---

This lesson plan ensures activities and objectives align fully with the KS1 Science National Curriculum requirements and engage learners practically and imaginatively to foster early scientific enquiry skills.