• 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… (leaf / stem / flower / root) → stemPrompt: It holds the tree up.
2. Plant parts: which statement is true? (Leaves take in water from the soil. / Leaves are usually green. / Roots grow up towards the sky. / Only flowers are part of a plant.) → Leaves are usually green.Prompt: Picture a plant from its roots to its flower.
3. Which part of a plant makes seeds? (the stem / the roots / the leaves / the flower) → the flowerPrompt: Bees visit this colourful part.

• 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 is left in a dark cupboard for two weeks. What will probably happen? (It turns pale and weak. / It grows flowers faster. / It grows greener. / Nothing changes.) → It turns pale and weak.Prompt: What do leaves need to make food?
2. What plants need: which statement is true? (The more water you give a plant, the better it always grows. / Plants eat soil to get their food. / Plants grow best in the dark. / Plants need water.) → Plants need water.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 is left in a dark cupboard for two weeks. What will probably happen? (It grows greener. / Nothing changes. / It grows flowers faster. / It turns pale and weak.) → It turns pale and weak.Prompt: What do leaves need to make food?
2. What plants need: which statement is NOT true? (Plants need light to grow well. / Plants need air. / The more water you give a plant, the better it always grows. / Plants take in minerals (nutrients) from the soil through their roots.) → The more water you give a plant, the better it always grows.Prompt: One sentence is a common mistake.

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