Burrs Stuck in Student's Hair

This second grade student has burrs stuck in her hair. This demonstrates how some seeds -- burrs -- have specific structures to disperse in different ways, in this case, latching on to organisms to travel.

Video

Muscatine

Iowa Core Standard

2-LS2-2

Develop a simple model that mimics the function of an animal in dispersing seeds or pollinating plants

Driving Question

How do animals help spread seeds?

Probing Questions

Why don't all seeds look the same?
How do seeds get from one place to another?

Classroom Suggestions

Students could:

Examine different types of seeds and compare structures using Venn diagrams.
Predict how they think the seed is dispersed and why.
Sort seeds into groups based on their structure and/or method of dispersal.
Justify how they think different type travels based on its physical attributes.
Examine one teacher-provided seed and create a model of an animal to disperse the seed.
Design a model of a seed with specific attributes that are designed to disperse using wind, water, gravity, or animals.

Resources

PBS LearningMedia | Nature Cat: Seed Soaring : Interactive online game for students to explore how the structure of a dandelion seed helps with seed dispersal.
PBS LearningMedia | Nature Cat: Travelin' Seeds : Daisy tries to figure out how a flower that she didn't plant ended up growing in her garden. (12-minute video)
Elinor Wonders Why | The Seed of an Idea: While outside, Elinor observes that velcro is very similar to a burr seed that is stuck to Ari's shirt.
PBS LearningMedia | Plum Landing: Seed Racer: Interactive online game for students to explore different ways seeds are dispersed.
PBS LearningMedia | KQED Science: Sock Seeds: Three-minute video in which students plant a sock that has seeds stuck to it to see if the seeds will grow.

Contributors

Submitted by Laney B. Berry.