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Stinky Seeds

Stinky Seeds
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It's time to do some investigations! In this unit, you'll explore how plants make seeds and some of the ways that plants change over time. This will help you figure out what is going on with the stinky seeds.

At the end of the unit, you will use everything you've learned to explain how living things grow and develop.

Have fun, and stay curious!

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You've completed the introduction to the anchor phenomenon!

Be sure to keep each student's Stinky Seeds Worksheet accessible. They will add to it after each Mystery.

Teach Mystery 1 next: Why do plants grow flowers?

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Image & Video Credits

Mystery Science respects the intellectual property rights of the owners of visual assets. We make every effort to use images and videos under appropriate licenses from the owner or by reaching out to the owner to get explicit permission. If you are the owner of a visual and believe we are using it without permission, please contact us—we will reply promptly and make things right.

Other
All illustrations by Alex Kalomeris
Coati Sniffing For Food by Abaget
Dung Beetle Rolling Ball by blacktomb
Dung Beetles Burying Ball by Sergey Dyonin
Dung Beetles Rolling Ball by Jasper_Lensselink_Photography
Eland Dung by tonyrebelo
Girl Plugs Her Nose by Koldunov
Silver Arrow Reed Seed w/Ruler by Joseph White
Silver Arrow Reed Seeds and Flowers by botaneek
Silver Arrow Reed Seeds, Flowers, and Plant by tonyrebelo
Video: Dung Beetle w/Seeds by South African Journal of Science
Credits

Activity Prep

Print Prep

Note: This lesson is part of this unit’s Anchor Layer. If you have the Anchor Layer turned on, we recommend teaching all lessons in the remainder of this unit in order.

The anchor phenomenon for this unit is a mysterious case of how and why some very stinky seeds from a plant are being collected and buried.

During the introduction, students generate observations and questions about the phenomenon and create an initial conceptual model to explain how and why they think this is happening.

Students will gather clues during and after each lesson in this unit to help them improve their explanation. It is important to encourage students to recognize that even if they don't know the perfect answer yet, they are going to learn a lot throughout the unit and will have an opportunity to change or add to their first explanation.

Preview activity
Number of students:
Power of Flowers Teacher Guide teacher-only resource 1 per class
See-Think-Wonder worksheet 1 per student
Stinky Seeds Worksheet worksheet 1 per student
Prep Instructions

Before starting this lesson, review the unit Teacher Guide for an overview of the Power of Flowers Anchor Layer.

Set Up Your Classroom

Set up your classroom by creating a class "See-Think-Wonder" chart (the student version is linked above). We recommend using chart paper or a space on your board that won't be erased since you will revisit it throughout the unit.

Extend this lesson