1. Seeds and Plants

2. What is a seed and how does it grow?
A seed is the part of the plant that produces the next plant. Think of it like a baby or a pre-baby—an embryo; it grows from a small creature into an adult than can then produce more seeds aka babies/embryos.
Seeds need warmth and moisture to grow. They do not need light. They also need food. Depending on the species, the seed’s energy comes from either coytledon or endosperm, both things that provide essential nutrients for the seed to jumpstarts its young life.

3. Seed becomes Plant!
Once the seed sprouts and emerges from the soil it starts the process of photosynthesis-turning the sun’s energy into food it can use to grow.

4. Components of a Plant Seeds Roots Stems Flowers Fruits Leaves
Have kids get out their plant and start identifying the parts they see. Their plant will not have all these parts since it isn’t mature, but use them as much as possible. Before going onto the next slides, have the children tell you as much as they know about plants and their various parts before you identify their human uses and plant purposes.

5. Seeds
Seeds produce plants! Plants put vital nutrients into seeds to ensure the next generation of plants.
What foods are seeds?
Lots! Popcorn, peas, coffee beans, beans.
Seeds are high in protein and are the best source of non-meat protein for humans.
With all of these, highlight the plants’ service to itself and to humans. Why are they important for both?

6. Roots
Roots anchor plants, absorb water and nutrients, and store nutrients
What foods are roots?
Carrots, radishes, potatoes, onions (root vegetables)
They offer a good source of complex carbohydrates which give us long term energy.

7.
Stems
Stems are like our skeleton; they help plants stand tall and strong. They carry water and nutrients to the rest of the plant from the roots.
What foods are stems?
Celery, sugar cane, asparagus
They provide us with a good source of fiber

8. Flowers Flowers form seeds What flowers are foods?
Broccoli, cauliflower
Provide humans with lots of nutrients

9. Fruits Fruits hold and protect seeds What foods are fruits?
Lots! Apples, tomatoes, cucumbers, strawberries, oranges
Fruits contain tons of vitamins that help keep us healthy

10. Leaves
Leaves absorb the sun’s energy and turn it into food the plant can use to grow
What foods are leaves?
Lettuce, basil, kale
Offer us lots of nutrients to make us healthy

11. Work Cited
Health Foods from Healthy Soils by Elizabeth Patten and Kathy Lyons
Pictures have source underneath photo
PowerPoint created by Robin Lewis, Environmental Studies Intern, Whitman College Spring 2010