• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Parts of a plant). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

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

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

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: Which of these does a plant need to grow well?
• Step 1: Plants need light, water, air and the right temperature.
• Step 2: So the answer is: light
• Answer: light
• Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

• 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 of these does a plant need to grow well? (sweets / loud music / light / darkness all day) → lightPrompt: What does a plant get from the Sun?
2. What plants need: which statement is true? (Plants never need water. / Plants grow best at a suitable temperature, not too hot or too cold. / Plants grow best in the dark. / The more water you give a plant, the better it always grows.) → Plants grow best at a suitable temperature, not too hot or too cold.Prompt: Think about what keeps a plant healthy.

• 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.

• Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.

1. A plant is not watered for a long time. What happens? (It wilts (droops) and may die. / Its leaves turn blue. / It makes more flowers. / It grows taller.) → It wilts (droops) and may die.Prompt: Plants need water to stay firm.
2. What plants need: which statement is NOT true? (Plants take in minerals (nutrients) from the soil through their roots. / Plants need air. / Plants grow best in the dark. / Plants need light to grow well.) → Plants grow best in the dark.Prompt: One sentence is a common mistake.

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-1.