SPROUTING A SEED, WATCHING A POEM GROW…

Scientists and writers are both keen observers. They patiently take notes about the changes they see, as well as the similarities and differences they discover, in the natural world around them. 

An easy, fun springtime project that combines science and language arts is to have students watch seeds sprout, and grow into seedlings. Over a period of weeks, each student will keep a 'seed journal' in which he or she can record  daily observations of the plant's growth. At the end, each student will write a poem about his or her seedling---how it has grown and changed---based on detailed and personal observations.   

Remind your students that some days they may not have any changes to observe and that is a valid fact to record in their journal, too.  Remind them that in nature, as well as in the creative process, change may be happening 'under the surface', where we can't always see it.  Planting a seed and writing a poem are both acts of faith in the unseen. 

You will need large seeds, like Lima Beans, for planting; plastic or paper cups for each student to plant his or her own seed(s) in, potting soil; plastic spoons for planting seeds in cups; and a metal or plastic cafeteria tray to place the cups on, so they can be easily moved into sunny spots for better growth, or to a central table for daily observation times. It helps to cover the seeds with water in a shallow plastic container and let them soak overnight before planting the next day. You might let students plant two seeds per cup, to help ensure that at least one seedling comes up. 

You could also allow some seeds to sprout in a "seed viewer" (instructions on how to make this at bottom of page two) so that students could observe the 'under the ground' growth that their own seeds are experiencing but that they can't see through the dirt in their cups.

Keeping the journal is very simple.  All it takes is a sentence a day, answering questions like:  what do I see in my planter now? What changes can I see in the seedling---how is it different from the way it looked yesterday?  What is the seedling's size, shape and color today?  Is it growing straight or crooked? Kids can measure the height from time to time with a ruler, if they want. Encourage them to look closely and write down what they see.  Also, how they feel about it. Are they excited, surprised, impatient, proud?  What do the tiny leaves feel like?  Does the plant or the soil smell a certain way? Ask them to use their five senses---sight, sound, scent, touch, taste---to make their daily journal entries.  Scientists and writers both need accurate details. 

After a few weeks of observation and journal-writing, ask the students to write a poem about their seedling.  Again, encourage them to put in as many specific details in describing the experience of a seed that sprouts and grows.  Good writing involves all the senses.  Their journal notes should provide them with lots of information to draw on in their creative process.  There have been many fine poems written about the process of plant growth and the regeneration that springtime brings to the natural world.  You might read good examples of poems that others have written to help give students inspiration. 

Students might choose to illustrate their completed poems.  You may choose to use them as a springtime display on bulletin board or in the hallway outside your classroom. 
You might decide to send the seedlings home with students to plant in their home gardens or flower beds, and encourage them to continue keeping their plant observation journal, along with continuing to write poems about the changes their plant is going through.        

MAKING A SEED VIEWER FOR ABOUT ONE-HALF DOZEN SEEDS:

(these instructions are taken from a wonderful teacher's resource book, EARTH CHILD 2000, by Kathryn Sheehan and Mary Waidner, Ph.D., Council Oak Books.)

1. Take a clean, glass jar or clear plastic cup and line the inside with construction paper.
2. Place soaked bean seeds between the glass and construction paper. 
3. Fill the empty center of the jar with paper towels and wet thoroughly until the construction paper has been moistened also. 
4. Place in a warm spot and add water daily. 
5. Watch your seeds to see how they grow.  What emerges first, the root or the leaves?  Which way does the root grow?  About the time your seeds in the viewer send forth leaves, you will notice the stem and leaves sprouting from the seeds in the soil. 

I hope you find this idea helpful, and that your students will enjoy "growing" a nature poem.