Member Login Member Login
Member Login
Welcome, (First Name)!
Forgot? Show
Log In
Enter Member Area
My Profile Not a member? Sign up. Log Out

Seed Sorting

Lesson plan developed by Ms. Erika Geelhoed, BA Ed
Activity:  
Seed Sorting
Age Group:
Preschool
Picture
Seed Sorting
* Lesson plan objective and assessment can be adapted to use this activity with school-age children.
Objectives:  
  • Student will practice fine motor skill of pinching
  • Student will develop problem-solving skills 
CDA Competency Standard:   
II.4.2a
  • Activities and materials encourage children of varying abilities to develop their small muscles
a) Individual fine motor skills are encouraged through a variety of developmentally appropriate materials and activities
Online Early Childhood Course
Click on the course icon for enrollment information
Picture
Special Interest Centers $10.50
Picture
Child Self Esteem $10.50
Materials: 
  • Ice cube tray
  • child tweezers
  • seed labels
  • variety of different seeds
  • large bowl or bin
  • magnifying glass
Procedure: 
Prepare for activity by putting all different types of seeds into a large bowl. Place it in an appropriate area along with an empty ice cube tray, magnifying glass, and child tweezers. Label the ice cube tray so the child will know which spot corresponds with each seed (be sure to include pictures on these labels). Invite child to begin sorting seeds using the tweezers. While they are sorting, you can talk with them about the different seeds. Ask them to describe each of them. You can give them additional adjectives to describe them if desired. You can also review the life cycle of a plant and the importance of seeds with older preschoolers at this time. 
Assessment: 
  • Take anecdotal notes during the activity. Record how the student manipulates the tweezers and sorts the seeds. How are their fine-motor skills developing? Did they place the seeds in the correct area? 
Click on the photos to enlarge.

Encouraging Natural Curiosity

As a preschool educator, you can expand kids’ science learning and lead them toward discovery by encouraging their natural curiosity; noticing what they are doing during play with water, shadow, or sand; and asking the right questions. 

You can get involved by asking children openended questions: “Tell me what you are working on now.” “What do you notice about how it’s moving?” “What else have you seen other kids try?” Writing down their thoughts and ideas is a good way to document their growth in STEM curriculum to share with their parents.