Science lesson plan · 10th grade (Year 11 in England) · 45 minutes
Xylem, phloem and transpiration
Plants
CCSS NGSS.HS-LS1-2England: KS4 Combined Science: Transport systems
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Xylem, phloem and transpiration.
- 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: Photosynthesis
Leads to: the next skill in this area.
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 (Photosynthesis). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- Which is a use of the glucose made in photosynthesis? (It is stored as starch. / It makes chlorophyll green. / It is turned into soil. / It is breathed out.) → It is stored as starch.Prompt: Iodine turns blue-black when this store is present.
- Pondweed in light gives off 33 bubbles of oxygen in 3 minutes. What is the rate in bubbles per minute? → 11Prompt: Rate = amount ÷ time.
- Photosynthesis: which statement is NOT true? (Photosynthesis needs light. / Photosynthesis takes in energy (it is endothermic). / Photosynthesis produces oxygen. / Plants only respire at night.) → Plants only respire at night.Prompt: Remember the word equation.
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: Xylem, phloem and transpiration. 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: Xylem or phloem? It transports mineral ions.
- Step 1: Xylem carries water and mineral ions up from the roots; it is made of dead cells strengthened with lignin.
- Step 2: So the answer is: xylem
- Answer: xylem
- 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.
- Xylem or phloem? It made of living cells. (xylem / phloem) → phloemPrompt: Xylem is about water; phloem is about food (sugars).
- Which conditions make transpiration fastest? (hot, dry, windy and bright / dark and cold / humid and dark / cold, humid and still) → hot, dry, windy and brightPrompt: Think about what dries washing quickly.
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 8 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.
- Xylem or phloem? It made of living cells. (xylem / phloem) → phloemPrompt: Xylem is about water; phloem is about food (sugars).
- In a potometer, the air bubble moves 47.5 mm in 5 minutes. What is the rate of water uptake in mm per minute? → 9.5 mm/minPrompt: Rate = distance moved ÷ 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
- Review first: Photosynthesis.
- 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
- 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-10.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder