Seed Sorting, How do Seeds Travel

Summary
This lesson?s focus is to teach methods of seed dispersal. It also incorporates the skills of observation, collecting and sorting.

Objectives
• The student can identify a seed in the environment.

• The student can identify three ways a seed can travel.

• The student can sort a collection of seeds according to how they travel.

Suggested Grades
1st Grade
2nd Grade
3rd Grade

Excerpt
Materials: small paper bag (for collecting seeds)
small hands lens
adhesive tape
copy of worksheet, or 9 x 12 paper
pencil

Procedures:
1. Discuss with the students the methods of seed dispersal. Focus mainly on floating, flying, and hitching a ride.
2. Pass out 1 paper bag for each student or pair of students.
3. Lead the students in a short walk, looking for seeds. Keep a special eye out for dandelion seeds, milkweed pods, berries, nuts, and burdocks.

Continued...