Make a Handy Seed Chart

What You Need:

• Plain white paper plate
• Ruler
• Tacky Glue
• Markers
• 8 kinds of seeds—we particularly like marigold, bean, pea, sunflower, apple, watermelon, radish, Swiss chard, and spinach, but there's really no end to the possibilities

What You Do:

1. Start by using your ruler to draw a firm black line across the diameter of your plate four times, so that you divide it first into halves, then into quarters, and then into eighths.
2. In each segment, invite your child to place a seed she likes, and glue it down near the bottom of the slice, close to the plate's center. Right above the seed, help her draw a small picture of what the vegetable or flower looks like when the seed has grown.
3. Then, around the outside edge, help your child write (or dictate so that you can write) the name of the plant. When you're done, you'll have a “seed wheel” to use as a reference for your garden this year…and for seasons to come, as well. You can also feel proud that your child has had yet one more science lesson with plant biology…with some helpful reading and writing practice thrown in. And if all goes well, you can plant some of these seeds together and enjoy a delicious harvest as well.