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Science lesson plan · 1st grade (Year 2 in England) · 45 minutes

What plants need to grow

Plants

CCSS NGSS.K-LS1-1CCSS NGSS.2-LS2-1England: KS1 Y2 PlantsEngland: KS2 Y3 Plants

Objective and success criteria

Students will: What plants need to grow.

  • 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: Parts of a plant

Leads to: Seeds, bulbs and germination; Plants make food from air and water; Plant growth experiments: read the results

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 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. The trunk of a tree is a very thick… (root / flower / leaf / stem) → stemPrompt: It holds the tree up.
  2. Plant parts: which statement is true? (Roots grow up towards the sky. / Leaves are usually green. / Only flowers are part of a plant. / Leaves take in water from the soil.) → Leaves are usually green.Prompt: Picture a plant from its roots to its flower.
  3. Which part of a plant makes food using sunlight? (the roots / the seeds / the stem / the leaves) → the leavesPrompt: Which part is usually green and flat to catch the light?

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: What plants need to grow. 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 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.

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. A plant is not watered for a long time. What happens? (It grows taller. / Its leaves turn blue. / It makes more flowers. / It wilts (droops) and may die.) → It wilts (droops) and may die.Prompt: Plants need water to stay firm.
  2. What plants need: which statement is true? (Plants grow best in the dark. / Plants grow best at a suitable temperature, not too hot or too cold. / The more water you give a plant, the better it always grows. / Plants never need water.) → Plants grow best at a suitable temperature, not too hot or too cold.Prompt: Think about what keeps a plant healthy.

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 6 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. What plants need: which statement is true? (Plants eat soil to get their food. / Plants grow best in the dark. / Plants take in minerals (nutrients) from the soil through their roots. / The more water you give a plant, the better it always grows.) → Plants take in minerals (nutrients) from the soil through their roots.Prompt: Think about what keeps a plant healthy.
  2. What plants need: which statement is NOT true? (Plants need light to grow well. / Plants need air. / Plants take in minerals (nutrients) from the soil through their roots. / Plants eat soil to get their food.) → Plants eat soil to get their food.Prompt: One sentence is a common mistake.

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

  • Review first: Parts of a plant.
  • 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: Seeds, bulbs and germination; Plants make food from air and water; Plant growth experiments: read the results.
  • 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/grade-1.

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

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What plants need to grow

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    What plants need: which statement is NOT true?

    • A. Plants need light to grow well.
    • B. Plants take in minerals (nutrients) from the soil through their roots.
    • C. The more water you give a plant, the better it always grows.
    • D. Plants need air.

  2. Question 2

    What plants need: which statement is true?

    • A. Plants grow best in the dark.
    • B. Plants need air.
    • C. Plants eat soil to get their food.
    • D. Plants never need water.

  3. Question 3

    A plant on a windowsill bends towards the window. Why?

    • A. The window is cold.
    • B. It wants to look outside.
    • C. It grows towards the light.
    • D. It is falling over.

  4. Question 4

    A plant is left in a dark cupboard for two weeks. What will probably happen?

    • A. It grows flowers faster.
    • B. It grows greener.
    • C. It turns pale and weak.
    • D. Nothing changes.

  5. Question 5

    A plant is not watered for a long time. What happens?

    • A. It wilts (droops) and may die.
    • B. Its leaves turn blue.
    • C. It grows taller.
    • D. It makes more flowers.

  6. Question 6

    Which of these does a plant need to grow well?

    • A. darkness all day
    • B. sweets
    • C. light
    • D. loud music

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Answer key: What plants need to grow

  1. 1. C. The more water you give a plant, the better it always grows.

  2. 2. B. Plants need air.

  3. 3. C. It grows towards the light.

  4. 4. C. It turns pale and weak.

  5. 5. A. It wilts (droops) and may die.

  6. 6. C. light