Radishes are perfect for this... they sprout and develop roots SO quickly!
About 3 or 4 days before you'll need them, sprinkle some radish seeds on a damp paper towel. Keep the towel moist (a spray bottle with a fine mist is good for this) in the interim.
On lab day, have students observe the radish roots.
What is the fuzz on the root?
What does it do for the plant?
Draw the seed and developing root - label the first leaves, devleoping root, and root hairs.
A few notes, from personal experience
--Keep the radish seeds covered with another damp paper towel.
--Keep the seeds in a place where you will see them so you will keep them moist - they will need water a couple times a day - they dry out super quick!
--Be very careful when removing the seedlings from the paper towel - it doesn't take much for the root to break off.
Plants: Roots: Radish Seedlings
Related Posts:
Tops & Bottoms: What Parts of Plants Do We Eat?Tops & Bottoms is a cute story of a bear and a hare. Bear is lazy and finds hare's offer to share the harvest of his garden with him a good … Read More
It's Pumpkin Time!/The Apple Pie Tree: Seed GerminationIt's Pumpkin Time! follows the growth of a pumpkin - from seed to large, orange orb.The Apple Pie Tree follows the growth of an apple tree through a s… Read More
Dandelion CurlsIt's spring in the northeast and that means (at least in my yard): Dandelions!Did you know you can use dandelion stems to teach a simple (and pretty f… Read More
Let Us Weigh LettuceAn easy lesson in measuring mass, collecting data, graphing (if you wish), percentages and plants. And a great experiment to start at the beginning of… Read More
Plants: Does it Matter Which Direction you Plant a Seed?Take the basic procedure used for observing seed germination one step further.Prepare two bags. This time, across the bottom of each b… Read More