Seeds Grow Into Trees

Prep Questions (Discussion)

• What is a seed?
• What kinds of plants come from seeds?
• What does a seed need in order to grow?

Activity

1. Becoming Seeds
   • Say: “You are a seed. When I call your name, let the wind blow you into your own space.”
   • Call children one at a time. Each child moves lightly around the room, as if blown by the wind.
   • The piano accompanies their movement, matching their tempo and nuance.
   • If a child runs for too long, encourage them musically to settle by playing a long, stretched-out {rn: I64 – V7 – I} cadence.
2. Rain Begins
   • Say: “Wait for the water—it’s starting to rain!”
   • Children practice stillness as “seeds” waiting for rain.
   • Begin playing soft, sparse raindrops on the piano, gradually increasing in speed and intensity.
   • If children struggle to stay still, visit them individually with a large hand drum. Lightly tap “raindrops” over them when they manage stillness.
3. Growing into Trees
   • Say: “Soon the water washes over you. The sun comes out and you begin to grow.”
   • Play slow, ascending music as the children gradually rise from the ground, growing taller.
   • Add narration: “Look, they are growing! I see branches and leaves!”
4. Feeling the Wind
   • Say: “Here comes the wind.”
   • Give movement cues depending on the wind’s strength:
     • “If it’s light, just move your leaves (fingers).”
     • “If it gets stronger, move your branches (arms).”
     • “If there’s a storm, your trunk may bend—but keep your feet (roots) strong and grounded.”
   • Accompany with wind sounds on the hand drum, varying dynamics and rhythms to suggest different wind intensities.
   • Optionally, come near individual children and invite them to respond as “solo trees” to their personal wind.
5. Adding Swings to the Trees
   • Say: “Now we have strong trees—let’s put swings in our branches!”
   • Children swing their arms gently to the rhythm of compound duple songs like “Mulberry Bush” or “London Bridge.”