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Science lesson plan · Kindergarten (Reception and Year 1 in England) · 30 minutes

Parts of a plant

Plants

CCSS NGSS.1-LS1-1England: KS1 Y1 Plants

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Parts of a plant.

  • I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
  • I can explain each step and say why it works.
  • I can check my answer and spot a mistake.

Before and after

Needs first: no earlier skill in the map; start from what students know.

Leads to: What plants need to grow; Pollination and seed dispersal; Test what a plant needs: light and water

Materials: Real plants or seeds, Hand lenses, Mini whiteboards, A diagram or short video clip of the idea, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 4 min

  • Quick retrieval: three short questions students should already manage. Answers on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Which part holds the plant up and carries water to the leaves? (the petals / the roots / the stem / the flower) → the stemPrompt: It is like a straw and a pole at the same time.
  2. Plant parts: which statement is true? (A tree trunk is a stem. / Roots grow up towards the sky. / Leaves take in water from the soil. / Trees are not plants.) → A tree trunk is a stem.Prompt: Picture a plant from its roots to its flower.
  3. Which part of a plant takes in water from the soil? (the flower / the stem / the leaves / the roots) → the rootsPrompt: Which part is under the ground?

Hook · 3 min

  • Bring in a plant that has been kept in the dark next to one in the light, and ask what happened.
  • Share the objective: Parts of a plant. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 7 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: Which part of a plant makes seeds?
  • Step 1: Flowers make seeds so new plants can grow.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: the flower
  • Answer: the flower
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 6 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. Which part of a plant makes food using sunlight? (the roots / the stem / the leaves / the seeds) → the leavesPrompt: Which part is usually green and flat to catch the light?
  2. Plant parts: which statement is true? (Leaves take in water from the soil. / Trees are not plants. / Only flowers are part of a plant. / Roots hold a plant in the ground.) → Roots hold a plant in the ground.Prompt: Picture a plant from its roots to its flower.

You do: independent practice · 7 min

  • Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
  • Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 3 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. Which part of a plant takes in water from the soil? (the roots / the flower / the stem / the leaves) → the rootsPrompt: Which part is under the ground?
  2. Plant parts: which statement is true? (Roots grow up towards the sky. / Trees are not plants. / Leaves take in water from the soil. / A tree trunk is a stem.) → A tree trunk is a stem.Prompt: Picture a plant from its roots to its flower.

Watch out for

  • Everyday meanings of words getting in the way of the science meaning: define key words explicitly.
  • Remembering facts without the reason: ask "why?" and "what is the evidence?"

Support and stretch

Support

  • Use concrete materials: real plants or seeds.
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • Move on to: What plants need to grow; Pollination and seed dispersal; Test what a plant needs: light and water.
  • Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
  • Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.

Homework and more practice

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/kindergarten.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

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Parts of a plant

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    What is the part of the plant with the ring around it called?

    • A. flower
    • B. leaf
    • C. stem
    • D. roots

  2. Question 2

    Which part holds the plant up and carries water to the leaves?

    • A. the roots
    • B. the stem
    • C. the flower
    • D. the petals

  3. Question 3

    Plant parts: which statement is true?

    • A. Only flowers are part of a plant.
    • B. Trees are not plants.
    • C. Leaves take in water from the soil.
    • D. Roots hold a plant in the ground.

  4. Question 4

    The trunk of a tree is a very thick…

    • A. leaf
    • B. flower
    • C. stem
    • D. root

  5. Question 5

    Which part of a plant makes food using sunlight?

    • A. the leaves
    • B. the seeds
    • C. the roots
    • D. the stem

  6. Question 6

    Which part of a plant makes seeds?

    • A. the roots
    • B. the leaves
    • C. the stem
    • D. the flower

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Answer key: Parts of a plant

  1. 1. C. stem

  2. 2. B. the stem

  3. 3. D. Roots hold a plant in the ground.

  4. 4. C. stem

  5. 5. A. the leaves

  6. 6. D. the flower