Planting the seed of curiosity

By Miss Melinda Hamilton, Kindergarten Teacher

This past week, our Kindergarten classes visited the Australian National Botanic Gardens to undertake the Growing Seeds workshop. As part of our investigations into How the World Works, students are exploring the external features of plants and describing ways they can be grouped based on these features.

While at the Botanic Gardens, students enjoyed a walk through the rainforest, looking at different plants. They also explored the Banksia Garden and moved like different animals around the space.

The students learnt about how a seed grows – from first coming into contact with the soil to the point of pollination and growing fruit. They found it very interesting that animals play a big role in the way in which seeds are moved from place to place.

Finally, we got to explore tables with hard fruits, leaves, seeds and other parts of the plant. By using magnifying glasses, the students could closely examine the seed pods. They also enjoyed touching and using their senses to learn more about the different parts of the plant.

Students will continue to learn about seeds and plants over the coming weeks as they grow them in their class and ask curious questions to deepen their learning.

"I learnt that seeds move places when animals eat the fruit" – Archer

"My favourite part was getting wet in the rainforest. There were really big trees down there and I saw moss on the fallen branch" – Isaac

"It was fun to touch the banksia flowers. There were different shapes and sizes. My favourite looked like a sausage!" – Aiden G