How a Seed Grows

Yes, this book does foster development of processes by encouraging the students to plant their own seeds and experience the plant cycle for themselves as well as to learn about what helps plants to grow. This book helps students to see the different stages in the life cycle by both reading the book and planting their own seeds. This book guides students to observe and learn about the stages of the plant cycle in a way that is engaging and applicable to them and their experiences. This book does a good job at guiding the students to identify and discover the stages of the plant cycle in a meaningful way.

• Author: Helene J. Jordan
• Illustrator: Loretta Krupinski
• Year Published: 1992
• ISBN: 0064451070

Science Topics

• Life Science

Minimum Suggested Grade Level

• Prekindergarten

Maximum Suggested Grade Level

• 2nd Grade

Summary

This book goes through the process of how a seed can grow into plants and tree that we encounter and see everyday. It goes through the plant life cycle in steps that clearly show the reader what happens during the stages as well as what helps plants to grow. This book encourages the reader to plant their own seeds to experience the plant cycle themselves to connect what they are reading to their own experiences.

Evaluation

• Appropriateness: High
• Authority: Medium
• Accuracy: High
• Liteary Artistry: Medium
• Appearance: High

Questions

Does the book foster development of processes?

Yes, this book does foster development of processes by encouraging the students to plant their own seeds and experience the plant cycle for themselves as well as to learn about what helps plants to grow. This book helps students to see the different stages in the life cycle by both reading the book and planting their own seeds. This book guides students to observe and learn about the stages of the plant cycle in a way that is engaging and applicable to them and their experiences. This book does a good job at guiding the students to identify and discover the stages of the plant cycle in a meaningful way.

Does the book provide an opportunity for children to ask and answer their own questions?

 Yes, this book does a great job at providing opportunities for children to ask and answer their own questions by using the text and their own experiences to guide them.  This book allows for students to wonder about how different seeds and beans can grow into plants, and then encourages reader to plant their own seed to answer their questions they develop as they go through this text. It does go through the plant cycle, but it gives students chances to ask questions and wonder what will happen next in the plant cycle, and by guiding students on how to plant their seeds to help them grow it allows students to see and answer their own questions about the seeds they plant.

Does the book encourage children to think for themselves?

This book does encourage students to think for themselves in ways that is engages them to plant their own seeds and if there are discussion throughout the book with the reader pertaining to the plant cycle and what they think will happen. But since this book is tailored to the younger ages it is pretty straight forward with the information and does not leave a lot of room for students develop their own ideas. But I do think it has the potential to gives lots of room for students to think for themselves depending how the teacher approaches this book with the students and how the discussions around the book are done.

Is the science topic addressed in ways that are appropriate to the lesson?

Yes, the science topic of the plant cycle is addressed in ways that are appropriate to the lesson. It is addressed in a way that is engaging to the students and encourages to interact with what they are learning about. They book presents the life cycle in clear stages as well as helps students to see what seeds need to turn into plants, so the science topic is addressed directly in a way that is appropriate for the lesson. This is a great book to get readers excited about learning about the plant cycle.

Is the content based on sound scientific principles? Is it accurate?

 Yes, the content of the book about the plant cycle is based on sound scientific principles and the information provided to the readers is accurate. The book takes the reader through the stages of the plant cycle as well as things the plant needs to grow in a way that is not only accurate, but it is also understandable for the reader. This is important because it allows for the students to be interested in the reading as well as the science they are learning about.

Does the book distinguish between fact and fiction?

This book does not explicitly distinguish between fact and fiction, but this book is presented in a way that students will understand that what is being read if fact. Especially because it has the aspect of the book that encourages students to plant their own seeds through step by step process, it helps students to see that what is being presented to them is fact.

Are the illustrations clear and accurate?

Yes, the illustrations in this book are accurate and clear. These illustrations are very inviting and appealing to the reader, which helps the readers to be engages in the text. The illustrations are very clear and accurate, so the reader can see the stages of the plant cycle as well as how the seed is growing into a plant. The illustrations are great conversation starters to get your students engaged with the text and connect what they are reading to what they are seeing.

Is the book written at the level of your students?

Yes, this book is written at the level of the target audience. This book is very understandable for the readers, which is very important for the students, so they can be engaged with the book as well as comprehend what they are reading. This book does use some vocabulary in the book that they teacher could clarify for the students, which is a great discussion starter, but overall this book is very well written to reach the younger ages.

Is there a multicultural component? Is it free from stereotyping?

This book does not have a multicultural component to it but the illustrations however do reflect young children from different races, and it is free of stereotyping. This book is based on facts and steps and does not focus on characters which is why there is not a multicultural component in this book.

Is the book free from gender bias?

Yes, this book is free of gender bias because it shows the two characters have equal responsibility and active role in taking care of the plants and helping the plants grow. It shows both of the characters as interacting with the plants and both of them working together. They are both making observation and doing things to take care of the plants. All of these reasons are why this book is free from gender biases.

Does the book show the close association between science and other disciplines?

This book does not show the association between science and the other disciplines because it solely focuses on the plant cycle and taking the reader through that process. This book focuses on science and showcasing the plant cycle and things the plants need to grow to the reader.

Does the book present a positive attitude toward science and technology?

Yes, this book does present a positive attitude toward science. This book shows the kids very excited, interested, and engaged with helping these seeds and beans grow into plants. By having illustrations that are showing students actively engaging with science in a positive way, I think it really helps the readers to see science as a fun and positive topic to learn about.