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Science lesson plan · Kindergarten (Reception and Year 1 in England) · 45 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 · 5 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. The trunk of a tree is a very thick… (flower / leaf / stem / root) → stemPrompt: It holds the tree up.
  2. Plant parts: which statement is true? (Roots hold a plant in the ground. / Only flowers are part of a plant. / Leaves take in water from the soil. / Roots grow up towards the sky.) → Roots hold a plant in the ground.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.

Hook · 5 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 · 10 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 · 10 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 takes in water from the soil? (the flower / the roots / the leaves / the stem) → the rootsPrompt: Which part is under the ground?
  2. Plant parts: which statement is true? (Leaves take in water from the soil. / A tree trunk is a stem. / Roots grow up towards the sky. / Only flowers are part of a plant.) → A tree trunk is a stem.Prompt: Picture a plant from its roots to its flower.

You do: independent practice · 10 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 7 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 5 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 leaves / the stem / the roots / the flower) → the rootsPrompt: Which part is under the ground?
  2. Plant parts: which statement is true? (A tree trunk is a stem. / Only flowers are part of a plant. / Roots grow up towards the sky. / Leaves take in water from the soil.) → 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/ 7

  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 of a plant makes seeds?

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

  3. Question 3

    Plant parts: which statement is true?

    • A. Leaves take in water from the soil.
    • B. Roots grow up towards the sky.
    • C. Only flowers are part of a plant.
    • D. Flowers help plants make seeds.

  4. Question 4

    Which part of a plant takes in water from the soil?

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

  5. Question 5

    The trunk of a tree is a very thick…

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

  6. Question 6

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

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

  7. Question 7

    Which part of a plant makes food using sunlight?

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

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Answer key: Parts of a plant

  1. 1. A. flower

  2. 2. B. the flower

  3. 3. D. Flowers help plants make seeds.

  4. 4. A. the roots

  5. 5. D. stem

  6. 6. C. the stem

  7. 7. C. the leaves