Seed Dispersal Lesson Plan
je. Introduction
UN. Hook: Show a variety of seeds to engage students’ curiosity.
B. Objective: To understand the different methods of seed dispersal and their importance in the survival of plants.
C. Background Information: Explain that plants cannot move, so they rely on various ways to disperse their seeds to new locations.
II. Lesson Body
UN. What is seed dispersal?
1. Définition: Explain that seed dispersal is the process by which plants spread their seeds away from the parent plant.
2. Importance: Discuss the significance of seed dispersal in allowing plants to colonize new areas, explore different environments, and avoid competition with parent plants.
B. Methods of seed dispersal
1. Wind dispersal
un. Explanation: Describe how plants like dandelions have feathery seeds that are easily carried by the wind.
b. Experiment: Conduct a wind dispersal experiment using paper helicopters or parachutes to simulate seeds being carried by the wind.
2. Animal dispersal
un. Explanation: Discuss how animals play a crucial role in seed dispersal by eating fruits and then dispersing the undigested seeds through their droppings.
b. Activity: Place different types of fake fruits (made from clay or paper) in a designated area in the classroom or schoolyard. Divide students into groups and assign each group an animal (e.g., squirrel, bird, or bear). Students must \”eat\” the fruits and \”disperse\” the seeds by \”defecating\” them in different areas.
3. Water dispersal
un. Explanation: Explain how some plants use water as a means to transport their seeds to new places, such as rivers, lakes, and oceans.
b. Simulation: Set up a miniature water current using a stream table or a large water tank. Students can release seeds (e.g., beans or small pebbles) into the water and observe how they move with the current.
4. Self-dispersal
un. Explanation: Teach students that some plants have evolved self-dispersal mechanisms, such as the explosive pods of the touch-me-not plants.
b. Observation: Bring in touch-me-not plants and demonstrate how the ripe pods burst upon touch, dispersing the seeds. Encourage students to observe and discuss other self-dispersal mechanisms they may have encountered.
III. Conclusion
UN. Recap: Summarize the different methods of seed dispersal discussed.
B. Reflection: Have students reflect on why seed dispersal is important for plants and the potential consequences if it didn’t occur.
C. Extension Activity: Assign students to research and present a specific plant species and its method of seed dispersal.
IV. Assessment
UN. Informal Assessment: Monitor student participation and engagement during activities and discussions.
B. Formal Assessment: Assign a worksheet or a short quiz to assess students’ understanding of seed dispersal and its methods.
V. Closure
UN. Review: Review key points covered in the lesson.
B. Connection: Explain how understanding seed dispersal can help us appreciate the beauty and diversity of plants in our environment.
C. Next Steps: Encourage students to observe and collect different types of seeds they encounter in their daily lives.
