[adapted from Alpena County Public Library]
Celebrate the warm weather with Plant the Tiny Seed written and illustrated by Christie Matheson!
Like Matheson’s Tap the Magic Tree, this book will have young readers tapping, clapping, wiggling, and waving, while they watch three little seeds sprout and grow into lovely zinnia flowers. Sun, rain, birds, and bugs are all part of the growing process. Before the story ends, the reader helps scatter seeds so that new plants begin to grow. Children will see that the life cycle of plants wondrously and magically endures.
Watch and listen to Christie Matheson read her book Plant the Tiny Seed:
ACTION SONG: The Seeds Grow (tune: Farmer in the Dell)
The gardener plants the seeds,
The gardener plants the seeds,
Deep down inside the ground,
The gardener plants the seeds.
The rain clouds give them water,
The rain clouds give them water,
Seeds need water for a drink,
The rain clouds give them water.
The sun gives heat and light,
The sun gives heat and light,
Seeds like it warm and bright,
The sun gives heat and light.
The gardener pulls the weeds,
The gardener pulls the weeds,
Seeds need the room to grow,
The gardener pulls the weeds.
The seeds grow into plants,
The seeds grow into plants,
Beans and corn and cauliflower,
and lots of other foods.
ACTION SONG: Garden Planting Time (tune: Row, Row, Row Your Boat)
Dig, dig, dig the earth, (make digging motion)
Then you plant your seeds. (pretend to drop seeds)
A gentle rain, (flutter fingers down)
Will help your flowers grow. (flutter fingers up)
ACTIVITIES. Choose an activity from the activity guide from the publisher, or choose one or two of the following activities to extend learning:
- IDENTIFY and DISCUSS the seeds we eat! Check your pantry and fridge for corn, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, walnuts, almonds, pecans, peanuts, cashews, sugar snap peas, cucumbers, green beans, tomatoes, grapes, kiwi, berries, zucchini. Taste test!
- EXPLORE outdoors to complete a nature scavenger hunt. Find plants and animals from the book, or use this printable scavenger hunt from How to Nest for Less.
- DRAW or PAINT a garden. What color flowers would be in your garden? Would you grow vegetables or fruit? What animals might visit? Using markers, crayons, or paint, share your dream garden.
- PLANT a seed! In a small container (a planter if available, or cup or mug) plant 2-3 seeds in a small amount of potting soil. Peas, beans, and zinnias are recommended. Bury the seeds ¼ inch below the surface of the soil. Water daily, just enough to keep the soil moist. Keep in sunlight or natural light. Seeds are often available at grocery stores and hardware stores, as well as online.