Pre-K Projects with Flying Plant: Fluttering Flora

Plants That Fly

Learning Standards/Concepts/Practices

• Motor Skill Development

Materials Needed

• Seeds, Seeds, Seeds by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace (or another age-appropriate book about seeds)
• Template of whirly-birds
• Paper

You could use this worksheet from NASA.

Part 1: Read-Aloud

Read Seeds, Seeds, Seeds by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace.

Part 2: Discussion

1. Ask the students if they have ever seen seeds that fly, glide, or float. Encourage them to share examples.
2. Explain that Maple tree seeds are particularly fascinating. Birds also play a role in seed dispersal by eating seeds and then flying them to new locations (when they use the “bathroom”). Some seeds, like dandelions, float on the wind.
3. Let the students know that they will create paper whirly-birds resembling Maple seeds. Through this activity, they’ll learn about seeds that fly.

Part 3: Activity

1. If possible, create “paper whirly-birds” together. If not, provide pre-made ones.
2. Allow students to fly the whirly-birds and/or catch them. Younger students can simply observe.
3. Discuss what kind of aircraft the whirly-birds resemble (hint: helicopters).

Part 4: Summary

Today, students discovered how some natural objects, like seeds, can fly. Observing seeds in flight is not only fun but also helps them grow in new places. Encourage them to keep an eye out for flying seeds every day!