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Lesson Plan

What do Plants Need?

Subject Area

Science

Grade(s)

2

Overview

In this lesson, students will understand that in order to grow healthy plants, soil, water, light, and air must be provided. Students will use math skills such as measurement and science process skills such as observation, comparing, and recording data.

Science (2015) Grade(s): 2

SC15.2.5

Plan and carry out an investigation, using one variable at a time (e.g., water, light, soil, air), to determine the growth needs of plants.

Unpacked Content

Unpacked Content

UP:SC15.2.5

Vocabulary

  • Investigation
  • Variable
  • Water
  • Light
  • Soil
  • Air
  • Nutrients
  • Causes
  • Effects
  • Isolate

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Basic growth needs of plants include water, nutrients, light, and air.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Conduct an investigation to produce data used as evidence.
  • Determine the growth needs of plants.
  • Collaboratively develop an investigation plan that describes key features of the investigation and isolates variables as needed.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • There are observable patterns present in the growth of plants that can be used to determine the needs of plants.

Scientific and Engineering Practices

Planning and Carrying out Investigations

Crosscutting Concepts

Cause and Effect

AAS.SC15.2.5

Participate in investigations of the growth needs of plants (e.g., water, light, soil, air) over a period of time.

Unpacked Content

Unpacked Content

UP:SC15.2.5

Vocabulary

  • Investigation
  • Variable
  • Water
  • Light
  • Soil
  • Air
  • Nutrients
  • Causes
  • Effects
  • Isolate

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Basic growth needs of plants include water, nutrients, light, and air.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Conduct an investigation to produce data used as evidence.
  • Determine the growth needs of plants.
  • Collaboratively develop an investigation plan that describes key features of the investigation and isolates variables as needed.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • There are observable patterns present in the growth of plants that can be used to determine the needs of plants.

Scientific and Engineering Practices

Planning and Carrying out Investigations

Crosscutting Concepts

Cause and Effect

Primary Learning Objectives

Students will be able to identify air, water, soil, and light as four needs of plants. Students will learn how to care for plants. They will analyze how roots, stems, and leaves help plants survive. Students will also learn the importance of observation, comparison and record keeping.

Procedures/Activities

This website is a good source of information on plants for students.
Gather enough 1/2 pint milk cartons from the cafeteria for the class.
Cut the tops off the milk cartons.
Fill the cartons with a soil mixture.
Choose seeds that sprout fast, such as radish, bean or corn.
Plant the seeds in the milk cartons. Dampen the soil.
After the seedlings sprout, divide them into four different groups.
Subject them to different growing conditions.
Condition #1. Plant has soil, water, and air, but does not have light. Put these plants under a box or in the closet.
Condition #2 - Plant has soil, light, and water but no air. Seal these plants in a large clear plastic bag.
Condition #3 - Plant has soil, light, and air but no water. Do not water these plants.
Condition #4 - This is the control group. Students will be familiar with this term. The plants have soil, air, light, and water.
When the seedlings come through the soil, measure each week how much the plants have grown in each environmental condition.
Record each on a separate graph.
After several weeks, compare the graphs. Are there differences in rate of growth of the different plants in the separate conditions?
This website is a good source of information on plants for students.
Gather enough 1/2 pint milk cartons from the cafeteria for the class.
Cut the tops off the milk cartons.
Fill the cartons with a soil mixture.
Choose seeds that sprout fast, such as radish, bean or corn.
Plant the seeds in the milk cartons. Dampen the soil.
After the seedlings sprout, divide them into four different groups.
Subject them to different growing conditions.
Condition #1. Plant has soil, water, and air, but does not have light. Put these plants under a box or in the closet.
Condition #2 - Plant has soil, light, and water but no air. Seal these plants in a large clear plastic bag.
Condition #3 - Plant has soil, light, and air but no water. Do not water these plants.
Condition #4 - This is the control group. Students will be familiar with this term. The plants have soil, air, light, and water.
When the seedlings come through the soil, measure each week how much the plants have grown in each environmental condition.
Record each on a separate graph.
After several weeks, compare the graphs. Are there differences in rate of growth of the different plants in the separate conditions?

Assessment Strategies

Teacher observation; oral questioning
Discuss with the students what each plant needs in order to grow. Have the students explain in writing what the plants look like in each of the conditions and what need was lacking in each one. Students will also measure and record the growth of each plant by using a graph.

Acceleration

The students may decorate the sides of the milk cartons with paper, yarn, etc. and use them as pots for their plants. Students will also complete a graphic organizer showing the needs of plants. They may also create a flower out of construction paper and label the different parts - seed, roots, stem, leaves.

Intervention

Teacher assisted with peer helper. Student may draw picture of seedling as it germinates in plant journal.

Approximate Duration

Total Duration

31 to 60 Minutes

Background and Preparation

Background/Preparation

Plants require sunlight, water, soil, and air in order to grow and be healthy. Energy received from the sun is used to convert carbon dioxide and water into food. When plants do not receive the things they need to live and grow, they will either die or be stunted in their growth.

Save the 1/2 pint milk cartons from the students' lunches, rinse them out, and cut the tops off. Also, use fast growing seeds such as radish, corn or bean seeds.

Materials and Resources

Materials and Resources

1/2 pint milk cartons from school lunches; bean, radish, or corn seeds; potting soil mixture; markers; rulers; graphs; overhead projector with transparencies showing parts of seed and plant

Technology Resources Needed

Desirable but not essential: Explorapedia - Nature CD-ROM, Computer with Internet access

Approved Date

2016-07-24
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