Background information

Learning goals: The aim of this activity is to get children thinking about how plants grow from seeds. Children begin by looking for plants in their yard and work together to identify the parts of a plant. Through a guided role-play activity they find out how the roots and shoots grow from a seed, before planting some seeds. Children plant seeds into tubs which they then remove at different stages of growth to observe and learn how plants look during their first stages of growth.

Content information: Bees first appeared on Earth at least 80 million years ago. The ancestors of modern bee species lived alongside the dinosaurs - a time when giant pines, cedars, tree ferns and cycads were the main plants and the air swarmed with primitive insects, including oversized dragonflies and giant butterflies. During this time, the first flowering plants (angiosperms) appeared and a more effective way of pollination was needed, other than simply relying on the wind. The challenge was how to increase the chances of pollination and reproduction to ensure the success of future generations. The solution was to attract insects to assist with pollination. Over time flowers evolved a range of advertisements to attract pollinators, including bright colours, strong fragrances, interesting patterns and unusual shapes. They also developed sugar-rich nectar as a reward. Thus began the mutualistic relationship between flowering plants and bees and it was to change the appearance of the Earth forever. Now there are hundreds of thousands of species of flowering plants and they are the most successful land plants on Earth. Scientists have long chalked this up to the relationship between pollinators and their assistance in reproduction.

There are thousands of bee species that live around the world. The European Honey Bee is the best known as it produces honey, beeswax, propolis and royal jelly, which are all used in a range of ways. Interestingly, bees are the only insect that produce food eaten by humans. They are also the only animal that doesn't harm what it eats but actually enhances it.

Australia has 1,600 native bee species. Most of them are solitary and don’t store honey. Only 11 species of social bees make and store small amounts of honey for their own food.

While it is well known that bees produce honey; a lesser known fact is that most of our other food sources also rely on bees, as conservative figures show that bees pollinate at least ONE mouthful in every THREE that we eat! The production of most fruit, nuts, vegetables, seeds and even livestock feed are dependent on the existence of bees, including Australian native bees.

When living things have relationships with other living things it is called 'symbiosis'. Bees and flowering plants have a mutually beneficial relationship whereby the bees assist with pollination and fertilization of the plant and in return collect nectar and pollen not only for themselves but also to feed their young. Bees have a number of specialised adaptations that make them particularly good at carrying large volumes of pollen. They can visit many flowers before returning to their hive, which increases the success rate of fertilization of the plants. Due to bees being excellent pollinators they play a pivotal role in farming, food production and the health of our ecosystems.

However, bees around the world, including in Australia, are in serious trouble. Overuse of pesticides and herbicides are causing bees to become more vulnerable to disease and pests. Modern agricultural practices and urbanisation are greatly reducing bee habitat and food sources. As a result, scientists are seeing a large decline in bee populations. This poses a threat not only for our food production but our environment as a whole, as flowering plants rely on pollinators to survive.

The good news is we can all do things to help ensure the survival of bees, such as:

Plant ‘bee friendly’ plants in clumps in your garden and let the vegetables flower. Bees love lavender, rosemary, sage, thyme, perennial basil, borage, grevilleas, bottlebrush and tea trees whilst Eucalypts provide pollen and nectar for their food.
Use no pesticides or herbicides in your garden. For ‘bee friendly’ pest management try companion planting.
Before you buy, ask if plants have been treated with pesticides toxic to bees.
Create ‘bee friendly’ garden signs for your front garden to advertise what a ‘bee friendly’ garden is.
Put stones in bird baths to stop bees drowning.
Buy fruit and vegetables that have been locally and sustainably grown.
Buy local honey.
For more information, go to: actforbees.org.

A summary of the issues faced by bees on a global scale is explored in this video:

NATURE | Silence Of The Bees | (https://youtu.be/dIUo3STj6tw?list=PL45E34E4712249C79)

Additional background information:

Ages 0 - 2

Preparation:

You will need four or five small planting tubs filled with soil. You will also need as many seeds as you have tubs (quick germinating seeds include watermelons, beans, peas, zucchini, pumpkin or microgreens - check your local nursery). You should choose just one type of seed to plant. Alternatively, you could choose to sprout seeds in a jar.

Step 1.

Begin by taking children into your yard. Invite them to respond to the following provocations:

I wonder if we have any plants in our yard?
I wonder what types of plants we have in our yard?
I wonder what these plants need to grow?
I wonder what features these plants have? (E.g. leaves, bark, flowers, seeds etc.)

Take children to some of the plants in your yard and invite them to look at the ground around the plants - what are the plants growing in? Point out that all the plants in your yard need soil. Soil gives the plants somewhere to put their roots (use these images to explain roots) and the soil also gives the plants food (nutrients). Plants also need water and sunshine.

Now, invite children to participate in a role-play around a seed growing in the soil. Use the following story and actions as a guide:

A tall tree drops a seed onto the soil (children lie down and curl up - you could place a blanket over children to give them the feeling of being underground).
The soil covers the seed and warm sunshine and water keep the seed warm and damp (children stay lying down).
After some time, the first shoot appears from the seed under the ground. This is called germination (children can unfold their legs but stay lying down).
More sunshine and water means the first shoots start to appear above the ground (children can unfold their arms).
The shoot gets stronger and taller, starting to reach up to the sky (children can slowly stand up and stretch their arms up high).
The plant is now strong enough to be blown around in the wind (children imagine a wind blowing them but they stay in the one spot).
The plant makes its own seed that falls to the ground (children can drop an imaginary seed from their hands).
The cycle starts again.

Step 2.

Lead children to the pots you have prepared and explain that you are going to plant some seeds and watch them grow. Plant the seeds in the pots so that the seeds are just covered with soil (follow the instructions on the seed packet) and label them with the date and type of seed. If appropriate, children can help you plant the seeds.

Water the seeds and place them in a warm sunny place. Remember to water the seeds regularly so the soil doesn't dry out. You could use a measuring jug or give children spoons to water with. You could use this Watering Chart to make sure your plants aren't over or under watered. You should also discuss with children about how much water to give plants explaining that like people, different plants like different amounts of water. In addition, invite children to think about what you will do to over the weekends - I wonder if we should water more before the weekend?

With children, observe the seeds emerging from the soil, reminding them of the role-play you did with them.

Once the seedlings are established, you could plant them in your yard, or give them to families to plant at home. Encourage families to photograph the plants at different stages and to share any produce with your centre.

Provocations

I wonder if we have any plants in our yard?
I wonder what types of plants we have in our yard?
I wonder what these plants need to grow?
I wonder how plants grow?
I wonder where seeds come from?
I wonder if plants produce seeds?
I wonder how we can plant seeds?
I wonder what our seeds will grow into?

Possible lines of development

Collect some seeds from your yard and plant them.
Explore other seed activities: Seed Walk, Comparing Seeds, Where Can You Find Seeds?
Different types of seeds - collect a range of seeds (e.g. rice, wheat, beans, lentils etc.) and compare and contrast them.
Collect some fallen seeds (such as gum nuts or acorns) and use them in art projects, or in numeracy activities by using them for counting, sorting or weighing. You could also experiment with the different ways these seeds sound when dropped into or shaken in different containers - try plastic tubs, empty tins, or milk cartons.
Share the following book with children: The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle.
Read through a selection of the following seed poems with children, Seeds, Plants, Flowers, Gardens and More. Alternatively, Lola Plants a Garden is a great way to connect students to this topic through story.

Ages 3 - 5

Preparation:

You will need at least ten small planting tubs (unfilled) and soil. You will also need as many seeds as you have tubs (quick germinating seeds include watermelons, beans, peas, zucchini, pumpkin or microgreens - check your local nursery). You should choose just one type of seed to plant. Alternatively, you could choose to sprout seeds in a jar.

Step 1.

Begin by inviting children to respond to the following question:

I wonder how seeds grow into plants?

Encourage children to share their responses before explaining that in this activity they will be doing a science experiment to find out how seeds grow into plants.

Lead children to your planting tubs. Work with children to fill the tubs with soil. Now take out your seeds and show them to children, allowing them to carefully handle the seeds. You can then plant your seeds in the soil, following the instructions on the packet and ensuring the seeds are covered with soil. Label the tubs with the types of seeds you have planted and the date they have been planted.

Water the seeds and place in a warm sunny place, remembering to water the seeds regularly. You could use a measuring jug or give children spoons to water with. You could use this Watering Chart to make sure your plants aren't over or under watered. You should also discuss with children about how much water to give plants explaining that like people, different plants like different amounts of water. In addition, invite children to think about what you will do to over the weekends - I wonder if we should water more before the weekend?

Explain to children that they now have to wait for the seeds to grow. However, for the next few weeks you will be looking at how the seeds are growing by doing the following:

After one week, take two tubs and gently remove the seed from the soil (the educator needs to be responsible for removing plants as they can be very delicate and may not respond well to many small fingers). Work with children to closely observe any changes to the seed, talking about what you are seeing, and inviting them to respond to the following question: I wonder what is happening? In addition, record any questions children may have about the seed. If the seeds haven't been damaged you could plant them again but mark the label as 'tested' so that you don't disturb these seeds again in the following weeks.

You could take photos of the seeds each week and use these photos in a poster.

Repeat this process for three more weeks until eight of the tubs have been 'tested'. Continue recording changes in the seeds as well as recording children's questions. You will have two more tubs left. By this time these two seedlings should be ready to plant in your garden. Where possible plant these seedlings to grow into large plants and encourage children to continue observing them.

You could also use the Plant Life Cycle Factsheet to show some of the stages of seeds and seedling growth.

Consider inviting children to draw their seeds at each stage or photograph each step. At the end of the experiment show the photos in sequence to illustrate the growth process. You could even turn these photos into a photo book.

You could use serve the food you grow at your centre! Make a salad to share or snack plate to share.

Step 2.

Invite children to participate in a role-play around growing seeds. Use the following story and actions as a guide:

A tall tree drops a seed onto the soil (children lie down and curl up).
The soil covers the seed and warm sunshine and water keep the seed warm and damp (children stay lying down).
After some time, the first shoot appears from the seed under the ground. This is called germination (children can unfold their legs but stay lying down).
More sunshine and water means the first shoots start to appear above the ground (children can unfold their arms).
The shoot gets stronger and taller, starting to reach up to the sky (children can slowly stand up and stretch their arms up high).
The plant is now strong enough to be blown around in the wind (children imagine a wind blowing them but they stay in the one spot).
The plant makes its own seed that falls to the ground (children can drop an imaginary seed from their hands).
The cycle starts again.

You could also consider asking children to role-play the plant providing shelter, shade and food for animals and people.

Provocations

I wonder how seeds grow?
I wonder what seeds need to grow?
I wonder what seeds eat and drink?
I wonder what our seeds might grow into?
I wonder how seeds help animals and plants?
I wonder if plants produce seeds?
I wonder how seeds get into the ground?

Possible lines of development

Collect some seeds from your yard and plant them.
Explore other seed activities: Seed Walk, Comparing Seeds, Where Can You Find Seeds?
Watch this clip: Time Lapse Video Germination of Seed.
What do roots look like? Use these Tree Root Images to show what different roots look like.
Sprouting seeds in a jar - grow and eat some super healthy sprouts. Sprouts are great as they have seasonal independence and can be done indoors.
Microgreens are quick and easy to grow even in small spaces. Consider growing, harvesting and eating some microgreens with the children.
Plant fast growing plants such as lettuce. Lettuce goes to seed very quickly. The seeds can be easily collected and replanted.
A Sunflower's Life Cycle is a useful resource to show students the stages of a plant's life. Consider using this as inspiration for your own picture book using images from children's seeds.
Read the following book to children: A Seed Is Sleepy by Dianna Aston and Sylvia Long.

Evaluation

Complete an analysis of learning listing evidence about:

Belonging	Finding something of interest
Communication	Expressing an idea or feeling
Exploration	Engaging with challenges and persisting when difficulties arise
Wellbeing	Being involved

Embedding into daily practice

Where possible, buy heirloom seed varieties for your veggie beds - these can taste better than hybrid varieties but you can also collect the seeds from heirloom veggies to use in your garden the next year. Many hybrid varieties don't develop seeds that can be grown into productive plants.
Indoor plants improve indoor air quality but can also help to reduce stress and improve mental health by making us feel more secure and relaxed. You could involve children in the tending and watering of indoor plants by creating a watering roster.
Birds love seeds but artificial feeding stations for birds can transmit diseases. So instead, consider planting bushes and grasses with seeds that will appeal to your local bird species.

Growing Seeds

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