Seeds on the Move Plan
Seeds on the Move Plan
Lesson Plan
30 Minutes
2nd Grade
Tier 1 Classroom
Objective
Students will learn why plants need to move their seeds to new places and define key vocabulary words. By the end, they will identify methods of seed dispersal and complete two related worksheets.
Why it Matters
"Understanding seed dispersal helps students grasp how plants reproduce and thrive in new environments, connecting science to the natural world around them."
Preparation
Review and Prepare Materials (5 minutes)
- Review the Vocabulary Slides for Seed Dispersal
- Print copies of Seed Movement Worksheet for each student
- Print copies of Seed Dispersal Sorting Worksheet
- Set up projector or interactive whiteboard
Instructional Steps
1
Introduction
5 min
- Ask students if they have ever seen seeds move from one place to another.
- Explain objective: learning why seeds travel and how this helps plants grow.
- Show Slide 1 of the slide deck to introduce the topic.
2
Vocabulary Presentation
10 min
- Display slides defining each term: seed, plant, grow, move, disperse, wind, animal, water.
- For each word: read definition, show image, and discuss real-world examples.
- Encourage volunteers to use each vocabulary word in a sentence.
3
Worksheet Activity
10 min
- Distribute Seed Movement Worksheet: students draw/list examples of wind, water, and animal dispersal.
- Distribute Seed Dispersal Sorting Worksheet: students match pictures to methods.
- Circulate to support understanding and answer questions.
4
Review and Share
5 min
- Invite students to share one way seeds move and why it helps the plant.
- Revisit the definition of “disperse” and connect it to the examples.
- Collect worksheets for comprehension assessment.
Materials Needed
Vocabulary Slide Deck
Seed Movement Worksheet
Sorting Worksheet
Anchor Chart (Reference)
Vocabulary Slides for Seed Dispersal
Seed Dispersal Vocabulary
Seed
Plant
Grow
Move
Disperse
Wind
Animal
Water
Teacher Note: Read the list and point to each word. Ask if any student already knows one of these words.
Seed
Definition: A seed is a plant’s baby. It has everything it needs to start growing.
🌻
🌰
🍉
🫘
Teacher Note: “A seed is like a baby plant. It holds everything the plant needs to start growing.”
Plant
Definition: A plant is a living thing that grows from a seed and makes its own food using sunlight, water, and air.
🌳
🌸
🌿
🌵
Teacher Note: Explain that a plant is a living thing. Ask for examples of plants they know.
Grow
Definition: Grow means to get bigger or taller over time.
Step 1
🫘
Step 2
🌱
Step 3
🌿
Teacher Note: Ask: “What does grow mean?” Encourage students to describe how a seed grows.
Move
Definition: Move means to go from one place to another.
💨
🌰
Teacher Note: Demonstrate moving by sliding your hand across the table. Connect it to how seeds move.
Disperse
Definition: Disperse means to spread out to many different places.
✨
✨
✨
✨
✨
✨
✨
✨
✨
Teacher Note: Emphasize that disperse means to spread out. Use confetti to show dispersal.
Wind
Definition: Wind is moving air that can carry seeds to new places.
🌬️ 🪁
Teacher Note: Read definition, then blow gently on a dandelion clock.
Animal
Definition: An animal is a living creature that can help move seeds by eating fruit or carrying seeds on its fur.
🐿️
🐦
🐕
🐻
Teacher Note: Explain how animals like birds or squirrels help seeds move when they eat fruit or carry nuts.
Water
Definition: Water is a liquid that can carry seeds in rivers, streams, or rain puddles to new places.
🌊 🥥
Teacher Note: Discuss how water in streams or rain can float seeds to new locations.
Seed Movement Worksheet
Seed Movement Worksheet
How do seeds travel to their new homes?
Name:
Date:
In this worksheet, you will draw a picture or write a sentence to show how seeds move with the help of wind, water, and animals.
1 Wind-Dispersed Seeds
Draw or describe a seed that moves by wind.
2 Water-Dispersed Seeds
Draw or describe a seed that moves by water (like a river or rain).
3 Animal-Dispersed Seeds
Draw or describe a seed that moves when an animal helps carry it.
4 Why Move?
Why do you think it’s good for plants to move their seeds to new places?
Seed Dispersal Sorting Worksheet
Matching Activity
Seed Dispersal Sorting
Name:
Date:
Look at each picture of seeds and decide how the seed moves to a new place. Write WIND, WATER, or ANIMAL in the blank space. You can also draw a line from the picture to the correct word!
🌬️ 🌾
Dandelion seeds blowing
Dispersal method:
🥥 🌊
Dispersal method:
🐕 ✨
Burrs on fur
Dispersal method:
🚁 🍁
Maple "helicopter"
Dispersal method:
🏞️ 🫘
Seeds in a stream
Dispersal method:
🐦 🍒
Bird eating berries
Dispersal method:
Bonus Challenge
Pick two pictures above and draw arrows to show the path each seed takes when it moves!
Seed Dispersal Anchor Chart
Seed Dispersal
How do plants travel?
Key Words
🫘
Seed
A plant’s baby. It has everything to start growing.
🌳
Plant
A living thing that makes its own food.
📈
Grow
To get bigger or taller over time.
✨
Disperse
To spread out to many different places.
How Seeds Get Around
| Method | How It Works | Example Drawing |
|---|
| WIND | Air blows lightweight seeds through the sky. | Sketch a dandelion here... |
| WATER | Seeds float on rivers, rain, or puddles. | Sketch a coconut here... |
| ANIMAL | Seeds stick to fur or get eaten in fruit. | Sketch a squirrel here... |
Our Class Examples
Wind:
Water:
Animal:
Once the chart is up, invite volunteers to add their own examples or sketches!
