Life Cycles of Organisms · B3 Science

Lesson notes

Learning Objectives

Indicator: B3.2.2.1.2 (Observe the germination of maize and bean seeds)

By the end of the lesson, learners can:

Predict whether maize and bean seeds can germinate in water without soil.
Set up two transparent containers with cotton wool and seeds to observe germination conditions.
Observe and record the changes that occur in maize and bean seeds over one week.
Compare the results from the wet cotton wool set-up (A) and the dry cotton wool set-up (B).
Explain that water is necessary for seeds to germinate.

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Curriculum details

Strand: Cycles (Strand 2)
Sub-strand: Life Cycles of Organisms (2.2)
Content standard: B3.2.2.1 - Demonstrate understanding of life cycle of a plant
Indicator: B3.2.2.1.2 - Observe the germination of maize and bean seeds
Suggested placement: Term 2, Week 3 (Week 15 of the year)
Our suggestion, laid out in curriculum order across three terms of twelve weeks. NaCCA does not fix the week, so follow your school's scheme of learning.
Source document note: The official curriculum document has a fault in this entry, so the curriculum text above is transcribed exactly as printed:

indicator text - p.54: this is the only indicator under content standard B3.2.2.1 and it is numbered .2; the document prints no B3.2.2.1.1. The code itself is printed "B3.2. 2.1.2", with a stray space
Curriculum reference: Science Curriculum (Basic 1-3), 2019, p. 54
Transcribed from the official NaCCA publication. Check this page against the source.

Exemplars (from the NaCCA curriculum)

- Begin this activity by asking learners to predict whether it is possible for bean and maize seeds to germinate/sprout in water without soil.
- Place learners into groups and give each group two transparent glasses or plastic containers (labeled A and B), cotton wool, water and viable maize and bean seeds.
- Learners pack container A with the cotton wool and push one of each of the different seeds through the side of the container but not to touch the bottom.
- Guide learners to pour a little water to soak the cotton wool. The set-up is left to stand for one week while keeping the cotton wool always wet.
- Guide learners to prepare container B using the same method but with a dry cotton wool.
- Learners observe the set-up critically and record whatever they see.
- Challenge learners with the question: What made the seeds germinate in set-up A?