Good Morning our dear Paige Academy Families,
Let us continue to talk about this amazing mechanism of seed dispersal, where the entire nature around us and its forces conspire to help and relocate new seeds so many new plants can grow!
**We are assuming and hoping that all children have enjoyed "Who Will Plant a Tree?" video and made notes from the story video which was sent out yesterday**
Let's review and revise the interesting facts about seed dispersal so we understand better and remember longer!
Seeds on the Move - Seed Dispersal:
Plants launch their babies (young plants) in this world in the form of seeds—a whole new generation of green babies wrapped up in different packages. Unfortunately, plants have one disadvantage compared to humans and other animals. They can’t move from their appointed spot on the planet. So, how to launch Jr. into the world with no feet or wheels? With pretty smart solutions, as we all have been discussing:
Self-Help or Gravity
Some plants simply let their seeds fall to the ground, but having Jr. growing at your feet and competing with you for resources is not a good plan. How to solve this problem? Come up with a better way to launch your seeds. (For annuals, plants that live only one season, this method works fine because the parent won’t be around to compete with the new seedling.) Animals One way to send seeds far from the parent is to have them get a ride. Plants using this method often have seeds that are clingy or sticky, perfect for attaching to passers-by animals and humans. Some seeds, particularly those with a yummy fruit, hitch a ride in the belly (digestive systems) of animals. Most nut trees simply allow their seeds to drop to the ground. The seeds are then carried away by squirrels, jays, and other animals. Some are eaten; others are forgotten. The misplaced or lost seeds are able to grow into big plants away from the parent. Air Anyone who has made a wish on a dandelion flower has seen how the air blown from our mouths disperse the seeds. There are maple seeds with wings that spin and fly, cottonwood seeds that float gently, and dandelion seeds that fly along like tiny parachutes. If the wind is right, seeds from these plants can travel hundreds of miles. It’s tricky though! Most seeds don’t fall in suitable growing locations. This is why plants that use wind for seed dispersal produce so many seeds. Water Plants growing around river-stream/beach areas often use water to move their seeds. These plants produce seeds that float. Water carries them away—hopefully to a suitable growing location. This dispersal method explains how remote islands have plants and trees similar to the lands hundreds of miles away. All this discussion about seed dispersal can get a little dry and uninteresting for preschoolers. One way to make it fun is to have kids pretend they are plants—it’s up to them what kind—and give them the task of coming up with ways to disperse seeds. Provide them with glue, tape, string, and any other fasteners you can think up, plus a variety of other materials - Recycled items, like Tissue/Toilet Paper tubes, plastic containers, egg cartons and fabric scraps, work well. Also, things like yarn, pipe cleaners too. This is a great “clean out the junk drawer” project! Send picture or videos to share with Sister Vaishali and entire classroom.
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