At The Huntington, we are committed to education and making collections accessible, especially to those students who may not be able to visit in person. The Seeds, Soil, and Surprises website is an interactive digital version of an in-person school program available at The Huntington for visiting K–2 classes. If you are interested in bringing your students to The Huntington for this program or other education programs, please refer here for further information.

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VOCABULARY

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Teachers are encouraged to become familiar with these terms in order to better educate students.

 

compost: decayed organic material that is recycled as fertilizer and soil amendment

decomposition: the state or process of rotting or decay

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diversity: variety; a number of different species of plants

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embryo: a developing plant contained inside a seed

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endosperm: tissue around an embryo inside some seeds, providing protection and nutrition for the growing plant in the form of starch

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environment: all the conditions around a plant impacting its growth and quality of life, such as the amount of space in which to live, climate, other plants, etc.

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mineral: an inorganic (i.e. never living), naturally-made, crystal-structured solid that has a consistent chemical pattern

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nutrient: a necessary ingredient for a plant’s growth and survival, such as nitrogen or potassium, often acquired through soil

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photosynthesis: the process in plants by which the sun’s energy (light energy) is captured by chlorophyll and converted to chemical energy that is stored in sugars, combining carbon dioxide and water to make sugars and release oxygen

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produce (n.): agricultural products, especially fruits and vegetables

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product: a material that is produced and often refined by way of processes in order to become more usable

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respiration: the process in living organisms by which sugars are combined with oxygen to form carbon dioxide and water, and to release energy for the organisms’ use in growth

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stoma (pl. stomata): a very small hole in the surface of the leaf (oxygen and carbon dioxide from the air enter through stomata; oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water vapor leave through stomata)

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variation: differences between organisms of the same species

 

 

 

 

 

Lessons + ACTIVITIES

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Lesson 1:

What Are the Parts of a Plant?

Preparation time:  up to 10 minutes/lesson
Instruction time:  up to 30 minutes/lesson

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Lesson 2:

What Do Plants Need to Live?

Preparation time:  up to 10 minutes/lesson
Instruction time:  up to 30 minutes/lesson

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Lesson 3:

How Do People Use Plants?

Preparation time:  up to 10 minutes/lesson
Instruction time:  up to 30 minutes/lesson

 

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ALL PRESENTATIONS

All Slideshow Presentations
This includes all hosted slideshows on www.seedssoilandsurprises.org