108 Cycles in Nature: Supplemental Guide | Pausing Point
Seed Observation
Materials: Dried lima beans; small containers; small, plastic
knife (optional); drawing paper, drawing tools
Have students place several dried lima bean seeds in small,
water-fi lled containers to soak overnight. The next day, split the
seed halves of the bean apart using your fi ngers or a small plastic
knife. Give each student or group of students the seed halves, and
have them observe the plant embryos inside. Ask students why
the plant embryos are important to the life cycle of a plant. Have
students draw a picture of the plant embryo and write a caption
about how baby plants germinate from a bean seed embryo.Seed Samples
Materials: Variety of fresh and/or dried foods and spices (e.g.,
sunfl ower seeds, pomegranates, pumpkin seeds)
Note: Be sure to follow your school’s policy regarding food
distribution and allergies.
Display the variety of foods on a table for students to investigate
some seeds and plants that humans use for food. Have students
examine each item and give examples of how they think humans
may use each of these foods. For example, sunfl ower seeds can
be used to grow new sunfl ower plants, but they are also a food
that people can eat.Seed Germination Demonstration
Materials: quick sprouting seeds; paper towels and clear zip-
top bags or potting soil and clear plastic cups
Watching seeds sprout and grow can be an exciting experience for
young children. For this demonstration, use seeds that germinate
rather quickly (5–10 days) such as daisy, sunfl ower, zinnia, or
marigold seeds; or vegetable seeds such as corn, cucumber,
tomato, or watermelon seeds. Place seeds in potting soil or inside
a zip-top bag on a damp paper towel. Be sure to keep the seeds in
a damp and warm environment for seeds to germinate. Check the
seeds daily to see if they have germinated. You may wish to keep
a class journal, or have students keep individual journals, to record
what happens to the seeds.