Narrative Writing: The Dandelion Seed

Focus: Students will learn how dandelion seed dispersal occurs, then write about it in their own
narrative.

Questions:
How does a dandelion make seeds?
How do the seeds spread in nature?
What does a seed need to grow into a plant?
What story elements are needed to create a narrative?

Background Information:
Once fertilization has taken place the plant will produce seeds. Plants such as dandelions
often use wind to transport seeds. Each dandelion seed comes with its own individual parachute.
This device works very well and only a slight wind will carry seeds high into the sky. As there are
so many adult plants in one place there is no space for the next generation of plants to grow. The
dandelion therefore needs the wind to carry the seeds far away. New plants are formed and the
whole process starts again. (from BBC.co.uk)

Materials:
The Dandelion Seed by Joseph Anthony
Student story organizer
dandelions that are blooming or just nished blooming

Process:
1. Read The Dandelion Seed by Joseph Anthony with the class. Note the descriptive
language used throughout, particularly language that personies the seed. Ask students to
pick out the words that set the mood (frightening, peace, warmed) and to notice how the
illustrators color choices on each page reect those ideas.
2. Go outside and ask students to nd and pick a dandelion, stem included. Demonstrate for
them how to slice the base of the ower with your thumbnail, then carefully open to
reveal the seeds within. Students do the same with their dandelions.
3. Ask students what the seeds would need to grow into a plant (soil, sunlight, water). Lead
students around campus and ask them to identify locations on campus where the seeds
needs could be met. Students will pick three of these locations for the beginning, middle
and end of their narratives.
4. End campus tour at the EcoGarden. Distribute story organizer, clipboard and pencil to
each student. Once they have completed the organizer, they can begin to assemble their
ideas into a narrative.

Extensions
start your own seeds! Observe the life cycle of a ower as it was described in The Dandelion
Seed.
collect data and graph the number of dandelions growing in one or more particular locations
on campus.
The Dandelion Seed adapted by (your name)
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Where does your dandelion live at the beginning of your story?
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What causes the dandelions seed to travel?
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What does the seed see as it travels?
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Where does it settle?
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How does your story end?
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