Let's Learn About Plants!

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In this lesson, students learn that there are different kinds of plants and a plant has different parts.

OBJECTIVE

Students Will:

1. Observe plants.
2. Recognize different parts of a plant.
3. Write about plants.

MATERIALS

1. Large paper plant for brainstorming words
2. Digital camera (optional)
3. Computer (optional)
4. Large screen TV or projector (optional)
5. Printer (optional)
6. Plants
7. Magnifying glasses or pretend paper magnifying glasses
8. Observation notebook for each students
9. Seed to Plant by Gail Gibbons
10. Let's Find Out's Big Box of Science

SET UP AND PREPARE

1. Cut out a large paper flower or plant.
2. Plan a walk either inside the school or outside. Number stations on your own map for the walk. Make sure there are a variety of plants to observe.
3. Make observation notebooks for each student.

DIRECTIONS
Day 1
Step 1: Read From Seed to Plant by Gail Gibbons

Step 2: Brainstorm words students may want to use when writing about plants. These could be written on a large paper flower or plant.

Step 3: Have the students pretend they are "Plant Hunters." Take a guided walk around the school. Stop at your stations and announce the number of the station. Have students record the number and make notes. The Plant Hunters' mission is to record what they notice about plants in their observation notebook. They may write or draw. Some of the students may use a digital camera to photograph the plant, especially the different parts of the plants. Some students may want to use the magnifying glasses to help them search for plant parts.

Step 4: When you return to the classroom, discuss the student's findings. The numbered stations and notes will help everyone talk about the same plants. Add additional words to the brainstorming word chart.

Step 5: Students write about their plant hunting adventure and the different kinds of plants they found. Add the digital photos to their stories. Bind these writings into a book.

Day 2
Step 1: Use the plant information from the Let's Find Out's Big Box of Science to help students learn about the parts of a plant.

Step 2: Discuss types of plants and parts of a plant.

Step 3: Have the students draw a diagram of a plant in their observation notebook.

LESSON EXTENSION
Learn more about plants and play plant games with these fun Web sites.

• Kids Valley Garden: http://copper-tree.ca/garden/index.html
• Michigan 4-H Children's Garden: http://4hgarden.msu.edu/main.html

ASSESS STUDENTS

Teacher Observation:

1. Were students able to differentiate plants from other things?
2. How many students were also able to identify the parts of a plant?

Copies of students' writing about plants and their diagram drawings will be saved for their assessment portfolios.

ASSIGNMENTS

Tell three facts about plants.

EVALUATE THE LESSON

1. Was there enough time?
2. Were the students successful or frustrated creating a diagram?
3. Were the students able to write about plants without a lot of help?
4. Could the students tell me about plants?

Gayle has been a teacher for 35 years. She has helped teachers throughout the nation learn about technology, the Internet, and creative ways to use both in the classroom.

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