Have you ever looked for a informative yet unique approach to introducing seeds to your class? Dianna Hutts Aston and Silvia Long in A Seed Is Sleepy, provide an eloquently written and beautifully illustrated non-fiction book that you will want to purchase not only for your classroom but for your home collection as well.
Ashton and Long present interesting facts about a vast array of different seeds, most of which children see around them everyday. The text is written in an poetic sounding way that flows very nicely and will keep your class or child interested. The authors also do a phenomenal job at simplifying related technical science terms such as “gymnosperms” or “dicots”. Every two pages, is started by a one sentence teaser about that group of seeds such as “A seed is adventurous.” The larger cursive sentence is then followed by an explanation of the previous teaser given:
“Most seeds sleep through a season or two, waiting for the warmer temperatures of spring. But some take their time. Ten years might pass before the bright red-orange seed of the Texas mountain laurel shows its purple blooms” (Page 2).
As you turn each page, you are drawn to the intricate illustrations that seem to pop off the page. The book even provides a labeled diagram of a seed embryo in addition to identifying a countless number of other plants. Aston and Long even go into the process of how plants get their nutrients through the process of photosynthesis. This book will help introduce to your class to all the different types of seeds ranging from the ancient date palm seeds to the pumpkin seed.
Curriculum Connections
This book will provide students with an introduction to seeds and basic plant structures. The student will also begin to examine photosynthesis and all of the necessary components that need to be present in order for this process to occur. In Virginia it can be used to explain the structure of typical plants, touch on the structures and processes involved in reproduction and the process of photosynthesis (Science Standard of Learning 4.4 a, b, c)
Additional Resources
- Lesson plan about the transition from seeds to plants as well as a list of additional book resources.
- A math activity incorporating seeds!
- Activity to discover and actually plant sunflower seeds.
Book: A Seed Is Sleepy
Author: Dianna Hutts Aston
Illustrator: Sylvia Long
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Publication Date: 2007
Pages: 40 pages
Grades: 3-4
ISBN: 0811855201