Context: This organisms text discussion was created for science education GS 4401 under the advisement of Jeff Goodman during Block II in the fall of 2007.

Impact: This project can be used at the beginning of a unit on seeds and plants. The book could be used to spark student interest and discussion. The text discussion plan outlines activities that could be done in a third grade classroom, linking Eric Carle’s book, The Tiny Seed, with lessons pertaining to seeds, the movement of seeds, the lifecycle of plants, and even evolution.

Alignment:

Standard 3, Indicator 1—This standard was reached because the teacher’s knowledge of plants as living things, the structure and function of plants, the environment of plants, the growth and development of plants, and the relationship between plants and the environment is displayed. The lesson also teaches about the life cycles, mutations, and adaptations of seeds and plants through using the Eric Carle’s book, The Tiny Seed as a springboard into evolutionary discussion with elementary students.

            Indicator 4—This standard was reached because this lesson can be used as a springboard into teaching and discussing the controversial topic of evolution with elementary students.