LESSON PLAN
Teaching Artist
Jaehn Clare, MA
NOTE:
Acknowledgements:
I learned and adapted this lesson from a
lesson written by Nancy Meyer,
Wolf Trap Master Teaching Artist.
1
This version is designed for Kindergarten children.
Lesson Title
The Tiny Seed: Story Basket
BIG IDEA
Learning is Creative
Science Standard
Language Arts Standard
ELA CC K RL 3:
With prompting and support identify
characters, settings and major events
in a story.
ELA CC K RI 1:
With prompting and support ask and
answer questions about key details in
a text.
SKL1. Students will sort living organisms
and non-living materials into groups by
observable physical attributes. a.
Recognize the difference between living
organisms and nonliving materials.
SKL2. Students will compare the
similarities and differences in groups of
organisms. b. Explain the similarities and
differences in plants.
Drama Standard
National Arts Core Standards: THEATRE
Anchor Standard 2:
Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
TH:Cr2-K.a. With prompting and support, interact
with peers and contribute to dramatic play or a
guided drama experience (e.g., process drama,
story drama, creative drama).
GA Perf Standards Fine Arts/Theatre:
TAESK.3 Acting by developing,
communicating, and sustaining roles within a
variety of situations and environments.
Objective – Children will be able to:




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Listen actively and follow directions.
Ask and answer questions about the story.
Participate on topic.
Move their body safely in the drama activity.
Identify parts of a plant.
Children know (prior knowledge):
How to take turns offering ideas (learned in the classroom environment).
Enduring Understanding: Language Arts
I can use my imagination to understand
a story; a story includes details about
characters and settings.
Enduring Understanding: Science
Plants have roots, stems, leaves
(and sometimes) flowers.
Plants need soil, water and sun in
order to grow.
Enduring Understanding: Drama
I can safely move my body in space.
I can explore a story with my
imagination, voice, and body.
Essential Questions
How can I safely move my body in space?
What do I need to know to move safely?
How can I use my imagination to understand a story?
Assessment
Informal – Observe children while they are participating in beginning drama activities. Check for
understanding of Safety Bubble techniques.
LESSON PLAN
2
Introductory Experience
Gathering in circle and Criss-Cross Applesauce; introduce self.
“Today we are going to share a story. But we will need to be safe so we are going to put on our Imagination & Safety
Bubbles.” (Get into bubbles; decorate quickly and simply.) “We also need to practice ‘Places’. When I give the 1-2-3 cue,
slowly stand up in your place.” (Teach & rehearse “Places”.) “I also have a little song I want to share with you. I think you
will recognize the tune.” (Lead “Petals, Leaves, Stem & Roots”).
Main Experience
“Today the that I will share with you is not in a book – the story is in this basket. And this is the story stage where the
story will take place. And just like a real stage, the audience does not come onto the stage and does not touch anything
unless you are invited. Before the story can come out of the basket, we need to do the Story Chant. When I give the 12- cue, we will do the Story Chant all together.”
(TA enacts a detailed story basket of The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle. Children are supported in Points of Participation
[POPs] both vocal/physical; particular children may be invited to assist with the objects.)
“It is autumn. A strong wind blows flower seeds high into the air and carries them far across the land. One of the seeds
is tiny, smaller than the others. Will it be able to keep up? And where are they all going? One of the seeds flies higher
than the others. Up, up! It flies too high and the hot sun burns it. But the tiny seeds sails on with the others. Another
seed lands on a tall, icy mountain where the ice never melts, and that seed cannot grow. The rest of the seeds fly on.
But the tiny seed does not go as fast as the others. They fly over the ocean. One seed falls into the water and drowns.
The others sail on with the wind. But the tiny seed does not go as high as the others. One seed drifts down onto a hot,
dry desert and it cannot grow. The tiny seed is flying very low, but the wind pushes it on. The wind stops and the seeds
fall gently onto the ground. A bird comes and eats one seed. The tiny seed is so small the bird does not see it. Winter
comes. The seeds settle down as if they are going to sleep in the earth. Snow falls and covers them like a soft white
blanket. A hungry mouse living in the ground eats a seed for lunch. The tiny seed lies very still and the mouse does not
see it. Spring! The snow melts; birds fly; the sun shines; rain falls. The seeds grow. They are not seeds anymore! They
are plants. First their roots reach down into the earth. Their little stems and leaves begin to grow, up toward the sun.
Another plant grows much faster than the new little plants. A big weed takes all the sunlight and rain from one of the
small new plants – and it dies. The tiny seed has not yet begun to grow. Hurry! It will be too late! Finally, it begins to
grow. The warm weather brings the children out to play. One of them does not see the little plants and as he runs
along, he breaks one; now it cannot grow. The tiny plant growing from the tiny seed does not grow as fast as the
others. Look – more leaves – and a flower! But wait – footsteps, and a shadow looms … a hand reaches out and breaks
off the flower. Someone has picked the flower to give to a friend. Summertime. The tiny plant is alone. It grows and
grows and grows. The sun warms it … the rain waters it. It grows more leaves. It grows taller – and even taller. It
grows taller than the people. It grows taller than the trees. It grows taller than the houses. The flower grows bigger.
People come from far and near to look at the biggest flower they have ever seen. It is giant! All summer long the birds
and bees and butterflies come visiting. They have never seen such a big and beautiful flower. Autumn returns. The
wind blows cooler; it carries red and yellow leaves past the flower. Some petals drop from the giant flower and sail
along with the leaves. The wind blows harder. The flower sways and bends. The wind blows even harder and shakes
the flower. The flower’s seed pod pops open … and many tiny seeds sail far away on the wind.”
(As time allows, review the story elements, especially settings. As time allows, children may be invited to assist with
returning objects into the story basket, including folding up the story stage.)
LESSON PLAN
3
Reflection Experience
(As time allows, teach the “Wake Up, Seeds!” song; or the use that later. As time allows, ask a few reflection
questions of the students.)
“Everyone moved today in your Safety Bubble. What do you remember about using your bubble? Let’s
take off our bubbles and put them away until we need them again.” (In your sock, shoe, sleeve, etc.)
“Now, do what I do … put on your magic goggles; find your teacher --- keep your eyes wide open, your
eyes wide open, and your lips gently closed; your teacher will tell you what comes next.”
Extension
Picture – Draw a picture of the tiny seed at the beginning of the story … or of the big flower that it grew
into at the end of the story. (Teacher choice or children’s choice.)
[Alternatives: Color & label a picture of a plant: roots, stem, leaves, flower; make a collage – strands of yarn for roots, a pipe
stem cleaner for a stem, torn tissue paper for leaves, a cupcake baking cup for flower, rice or small beans for seeds.]
Depth of Knowledge
Knowledge – I know…


How to move my body safely in a drama
activity.
That seeds grow into plants.
Depth of Knowledge
Skills – I can…
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Participate in a group drama.
Identify parts of a plant.
ELA Vocabulary
Character; setting; event(s); detail(s)
Drama Vocabulary
Imagination/Safety Bubble; Places; Body; Imagination
Science Vocabulary
Living/non-living; organism; characteristic; roots, stem, leaves, petals; soil, sun, water
Materials/Resources
Story basket and objects