Early Science Matters

• Seeds/seedlings
• Pots
• Planting Soil
• Watering Can
• Journals (notebook or stapled paper booklet)
• Pencils
• Camera (optional)

Note: Small parts pose a choking hazard and are not appropriate for children age five or under. Be sure to choose lesson materials that meet safety requirements.

1. In a large group, explain that everyone will be planting seeds in the classroom. Explain that we will keep track of the seeds/plants by observing them on a daily and/or weekly basis.
2. Discuss why it is important to observe plants and care for them daily.
3. Invite children to share what they already know about plants, how they grow and how to take care of them.
4. Explain that the children will have their own journals to record their observations when they notice changes in their plants.

1. Separate the children into small groups and ask them to select a seed that they would like to grow.
2. Ask the children to document the seed’s initial state in their journal as they draw the seed. Guide the children’s observations by describing seed characteristics.
3. After this initial documentation, invite children to water their seeds daily.
4. Once the seeds have sprouted, separate the children into small groups and invite them to observe and document their seed’s growth and change. This can take place on a daily or weekly basis, depending on the plant’s rate of noticeable growth.
5. If possible, have the children photograph their plants at different stages, so that they document their observations with photos, as well as  drawings.
6. When the plants have grown, separate the children into small groups and invite them to share and discuss the similarities and differences between their plants and their journals.

• Observe: To watch and document an item to gather information
• Document: To write down observations that can be used to identify changes or similarities over time
• Growth: How a living thing develops over time

Early Science Glossary

Adapt Lesson for Toddlers

Toddlers may:

• Not yet have fine motor skills to draw accurate representations of plants or seeds
• Use simple sentences to describe their observations

Child care providers may:

• Add more photographs to children’s journals to visually see the changes that occur
• Write down children’s dictations instead of drawings

Adapt Lesson for Preschoolers

Preschoolers may:

• Be interested in comparing aspects of height, width and leaf count
• Make connections between outdoor plants or plants in their homes
• Notice similarities and differences between plant types

Child care providers may:

• Provide measuring tools or support mathematical language in describing plant characteristics
• Use children’s background knowledge of plants to make comparisons to plants in the classroom and the outdoor or home environment
• Arrange experiments with room location, amounts of water and/or type of soil for children to draw conclusions about plant needs