• 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… (flower / stem / root / leaf) → stemPrompt: It holds the tree up.
2. Plant parts: which statement is true? (Only flowers are part of a plant. / Roots grow up towards the sky. / Roots hold a plant in the ground. / Leaves take in water from the soil.) → Roots hold a plant in the ground.Prompt: Picture a plant from its roots to its flower.
3. Which part of a plant takes in water from the soil? (the leaves / the flower / the stem / the roots) → the rootsPrompt: Which part is under the ground?

• 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. A plant on a windowsill bends towards the window. Why? (It is falling over. / The window is cold. / It grows towards the light. / It wants to look outside.) → It grows towards the light.Prompt: Where does the light come from?
2. What plants need: which statement is true? (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 grow best in the dark. / Plants eat soil to get their food.) → 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 on a windowsill bends towards the window. Why? (It wants to look outside. / The window is cold. / It grows towards the light. / It is falling over.) → It grows towards the light.Prompt: Where does the light come from?
2. What plants need: which statement is true? (Plants grow best in the dark. / Plants take in minerals (nutrients) from the soil through their roots. / Plants eat soil to get their food. / Plants never need water.) → Plants take in minerals (nutrients) from the soil through their roots.Prompt: Think about what keeps a plant healthy.

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