LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

How does your flower grow?

Students will develop science process skills by observing plants in various conditions and recording their observation over a period of time

A lesson plan for grade 1 English Language Arts and Science

By Bobbie Toler

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Learning outcomes

The class will replant flowers into cups. Each cup will be exposed to different conditions. Students observe the plants daily—recording, discussing, comparing, and drawing changes they have observed.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

2 hours

Materials/resources

  • five Marigold flowers
  • five cups
  • one tall can (Pringles can or large peanuts can)
  • one plastic bag
  • one small bag of potting soil

Pre-activities

  • KWL chart

Activities

Day 1

Replant flowers into cups discussing the root system. After all plants are replanted, discuss the conditions the plants will live in. Label each plant with a card that states the condition the plant will be living in.

  1. Sun and too much water (over water each day)
  2. Sun and no water
  3. Water and no air (place plant in plastic bag)
  4. Water and no sun (place under Pringles can)
  5. Air, water and sun

Students make predictions for each plant in their science journal.

Days 2–6

Observe and note changes.

Day 7

  1. Discuss each plant and see if the results match what they had predicted.
  2. Discuss results and draw conclusion of what plants need to be healthy.

Assessment

Check the science journals. Note the students’ understanding of the process and results that occurred in the experiment by the students observations and predictions.

Supplemental information

  • How a Seed Grows by Helene J. Jordan (Econo-Clad Books; ISBN: 0833585452
  • The Flower by Mary Louise Downer (No ISBN match)
  • A Flowed Grows by Ken Robbins (out of print, limited availability—ASIN: 0803707649)

Comments

Each student continues to track plants and record observations in the journal noting how they progress now that all plants are living in the same conditions.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

English Language Arts (2004)

Grade 1

  • Goal 4: The learner will apply strategies and skills to create oral, written, and visual texts.
    • Objective 4.04: Extend skills in using oral and written language:
      • clarifying purposes for engaging in communication.
      • using clear and precise language to paraphrase messages.
      • engaging in more extended oral discussions.
      • producing written products.
      • completing graphic organizers.

Science (2005)

Grade 1

  • Goal 1: The learner will conduct investigations and make observations to build an understanding of the needs of living organisms.
    • Objective 1.01: Investigate the needs of a variety of different plants:
      • Air.
      • Water.
      • Light.
      • Space.