Reinforce the stages of the plant life cycle with a competitive game. Print out or draw pictures that illustrate the stages of the plant life cycle; seed, seedling, plant, flowering plant and mature plant, for example. Create two sets of pictures. Distribute the pictures to two players, and on your mark, the players race to arrange the illustrations in the proper order. The first player to arrange the pictures in the correct order wins the game.
Students can get an up-close look at how seeds sprout. Wet and wring out one paper towel per student. Instruct students to place a seed in their paper towel, fold it closed and seal the seed-filled paper towel inside a clear zip-top plastic bag. Hang the bags in a window that receives a good amount of sunlight. Have students observe their seeds on a daily basis; ask them to record what they see in a science journal. Over the span of a few days, the seeds will begin to sprout and students will be able to actually observe the process, which usually isn't visible because it occurs under ground. Allow students to take their seeds home and plant them in the ground.
Take your students on a nature walk; fall or spring is an ideal time for this activity, as plants are going through easily noticeable changes during these seasons. As you walk, point out different plants and ask students to describe what they see. Ask if they can identify the different stages that plants are in and see if they can identify the different types of plants that they see. Through this activity, children will be able to observe plants in nature.
Have students use their handprints to create sunflower crafts. Provide children with yellow construction paper and instruct them to trace one of their hands six times on the paper. Have them cut out the handprints. Instruct students to tape or staple their handprints around a small paper plate so the palms overlap and completely cover the paper plate, creating the look of sunflower petals. Offer them sunflower seeds and have them glue the seeds in the center of the flower. Paint or color empty paper towel tubes green to create a stem. Help students staple their sunflowers to the top of the stems.