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Science lesson plan · 1st grade (Year 2 in England) · 60 minutes

Which part of the plant do we eat?

Plants

CCSS NGSS.1-LS1-1England: KS1 Y1 Plants

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Which part of the plant do we eat?.

  • 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: 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 · 6 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. Which part holds the plant up and carries water to the leaves? (the roots / the petals / the flower / the stem) → the stemPrompt: It is like a straw and a pole at the same time.
  2. Plant parts: which statement is true? (Roots grow up towards the sky. / Only flowers are part of a plant. / A tree trunk is a stem. / Leaves take in water from the soil.) → A tree trunk is a stem.Prompt: Picture a plant from its roots to its flower.
  3. Which part of a plant makes seeds? (the roots / the flower / the stem / the leaves) → the flowerPrompt: Bees visit this colourful part.

Hook · 6 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: Which part of the plant do we eat?. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 12 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: Which part of the plant is this food: cauliflower?
  • Step 1: These are bunches of tiny flower buds.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: flowers (flower buds)
  • Answer: flowers (flower buds)
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 12 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 the plant is this food: basil? (fruit (holds seeds) / leaves / root / stem) → leavesPrompt: Did it grow under the ground, hold the plant up, catch sunlight, bloom, or is it something you could plant to grow a new plant?
  2. Scientists call a tomato a fruit, not a vegetable. Why? (It grows under the ground. / It is sweet like sweets. / It is red. / It grows from a flower and has seeds inside.) → It grows from a flower and has seeds inside.Prompt: Cut one open: what do you find inside?

You do: independent practice · 17 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 · 7 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. Three of these foods come from the same plant part: leaves. Which one does NOT? (cucumber / lettuce / spinach / kale) → cucumberPrompt: Name the plant part for each food.
  2. Scientists call a tomato a fruit, not a vegetable. Why? (It is red. / It grows under the ground. / It grows from a flower and has seeds inside. / It is sweet like sweets.) → It grows from a flower and has seeds inside.Prompt: Cut one open: what do you find inside?

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

  • 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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Which part of the plant do we eat?

Name

Date

Score/ 8

  1. Question 1

    Which part of the plant is this food: pepper?

    • A. fruit (holds seeds)
    • B. leaves
    • C. flowers (flower buds)
    • D. stem
  2. Question 2

    Three of these foods come from the same plant part: flowers. Which one does NOT?

    • A. cauliflower
    • B. apple
    • C. artichoke
    • D. broccoli head
  3. Question 3

    Which of these foods is a seed?

    • A. a stick of asparagus
    • B. a pea
    • C. a lettuce leaf
    • D. a carrot
  4. Question 4

    Which part of the plant is this food: broccoli stalk?

    • A. stem
    • B. leaves
    • C. fruit (holds seeds)
    • D. root
  5. Question 5

    Three of these foods come from the same plant part: seeds. Which one does NOT?

    • A. lentils
    • B. peas
    • C. radish
    • D. sunflower seeds
  6. Question 6

    Which part of the plant is this food: asparagus?

    • A. flowers (flower buds)
    • B. stem
    • C. fruit (holds seeds)
    • D. leaves
  7. Question 7

    Three of these foods come from the same plant part: stem. Which one does NOT?

    • A. sugar cane
    • B. asparagus
    • C. sunflower seeds
    • D. broccoli stalk
  8. Question 8

    Why are lettuce and spinach leaves usually green and thin?

    • A. They are not ripe yet.
    • B. Leaves are made to catch light and make food.
    • C. They grow underground.
    • D. They are full of seeds.

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Answer key: Which part of the plant do we eat?

  1. 1. A. fruit (holds seeds)

  2. 2. B. apple

  3. 3. B. a pea

  4. 4. A. stem

  5. 5. C. radish

  6. 6. B. stem

  7. 7. C. sunflower seeds

  8. 8. B. Leaves are made to catch light and make food.