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.
- Which part holds the plant up and carries water to the leaves? (the roots / the flower / the petals / the stem) → the stemPrompt: It is like a straw and a pole at the same time.
- Plant parts: which statement is true? (Flowers help plants make seeds. / Trees are not plants. / Only flowers are part of a plant. / Roots grow up towards the sky.) → Flowers help plants make seeds.Prompt: Picture a plant from its roots to its flower.
- Which part of a plant takes in water from the soil? (the stem / the flower / the roots / the leaves) → 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.
- Which part holds the plant up and carries water to the leaves? (the stem / the petals / the roots / the flower) → the stemPrompt: It is like a straw and a pole at the same time.
- Plant parts: which statement is true? (Only flowers are part of a plant. / Leaves take in water from the soil. / Trees are not plants. / Flowers help plants make seeds.) → Flowers help plants make seeds.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.
- 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.
- Which part holds the plant up and carries water to the leaves? (the petals / the flower / the roots / the stem) → the stemPrompt: It is like a straw and a pole at the same time.
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