Plants Curricular Unit
Developed by Joanne Boulais
GRADE LEVEL 2
THEME:
Students are naturally curious about the
world around them. This unit is designed to encourage and satisfy that
curiosity by providing students with the opportunity to explore
various types of plants and seeds through hands on exploration, books, written materials, games, the internet, and educational software. This
unit is designed to span approximately one month of instruction through
scientific inquiry, which will be integrated through science, language arts,
math, technology, and art.
Unit Goal: Students will understand that plants are living things with specific needs, characteristics and uses.
LESSONS:
Lesson One: What is a plant?
Goals and Objectives: Given a PowerPoint introduction to plants, students
will understand that plants are living things and be able to describe their
needs.
Content Standards Addressed:
Science
A INQ.1
Make
observations and ask questions about objects, organisms and the environment.
A INQ.2
Use senses
and simple measuring tools to collect data.
A INQ.3
Make
predictions based on observed patterns.
A INQ.4
Read, write,
listen and speak about observations of the natural world.
A INQ.5
Seek
information in books, magazines and pictures.
A INQ.6
Present
information in words and drawings.
Introduction: Initiate a discussion about plant life. Create a
K-W-L, filling in information students already know about plants. Explain that
they will be starting a unit during which they will learn about plants. Have
the class view the Plant PowerPoint using a
computer hooked up to a projector. Then add questions students may have to the
chart. Hang the chart in a prominent location to refer back to throughout the
unit.
Materials: Plant PowerPoint, computer hooked up to a
projector, crayons, colored pencils, or markers paper and pencils
encyclopedias, botany or gardening books, or magazines with images and
descriptions of plants computer with Internet access
Procedure:
1. After watching the PowerPoint, talk about
the types of plants featured. Do all plants look alike? What needs do plants
have? How do they get their food? Discuss the parts of flowering plants and the
process of photosynthesis, the process by which plants make food. Talk about
plants that are familiar to the students. What do they look like? Where do they
grow? What are their needs?
2. Have students choose a familiar flowering
plant they would like to learn more about; tell them they will research and
write a paragraph about it. Each paragraph should include the plant's common
and scientific names; a description of the parts (seed, root, stem, leaves, and
flower); its needs; and at least three interesting facts. Also have students
draw a picture with each plant part labeled. Students may use encyclopedias,
botany or gardening books, or magazines for research. The following Web sites
also have useful information:
3. Allow time in class for students to research
and complete their paragraphs and drawings. Then divide the class into groups
of three or four so they can share their work. Ask them to discuss within their
groups the differences and similarities of the plants.
4. Ask for volunteers to share what they learned from
their research and group discussions. Review what students have learned about
the needs of plants and the parts of flowering plants.
Assessment:
Use the following
three-point rubric to evaluate students' work during this lesson.
LESSON TWO: Plant
Adaptations
Goals and Objectives: Students will understand that each plant has special
adaptations that allow it to thrive in its environment.
Content Standards
Addressed:
Science
A INQ.1
Read, write,
listen and speak about observations of the natural world.
A INQ.2
Seek
information in books, magazines and pictures.
A INQ.3
Present
information in words and drawings.
Language Arts
1A.Students use appropriate strategies before, during and after reading in order to construct meaning.
1B.Students interpret, analyze and evaluate text in order to extend understanding and appreciation.
1C.Students select and apply strategies to facilitate word recognition and develop vocabulary in order to comprehend text.
1D.Students communicate with others to create interpretations of written, oral and visual texts.
1D.Build sight word vocabulary.
Introduction: Students will
view various habitats and the plants that live in each.
Materials: Laptops with
Internet access, copies of plant worksheet,
pencil, colored pencils, crayons, markers.
Procedure:
Assessment:
Students will be assessed in
the following ways:
a) Time on task for investigating literature resources
and web site.
b) Ability to work successfully with a partner.
c) Accurate completion of plant worksheet.
d) Feedback provided for oral presentation.
LESSON THREE: Plant Parts
Goals and Objectives: Given plant models, students will be able to identify
the various plant parts and describe the function of each.
Content Standards Addressed:
Science
A INQ.4
Read, write,
listen and speak about observations of the natural world.
A INQ.5
Present
information in words and drawings.
Language Arts
1D. Students communicate with others to create interpretations of written, oral and visual texts.
3B. Students prepare, publish and/or present work appropriate to audience, purpose and task.
Introduction: Introduction: The teacher will motivate the class by reading a poem
called Tommy by Gwendolyn Brooks. This poem talks about a boy who plants
a seed and how he takes the appropriate measures in making sure the seed grows
into a healthy plant. This will motivate the students to think about all the
necessary elements needed in making sure a plant grows healthy. A discussion
should take place to see how much prior knowledge students have on this
particular topic. Once the discussion is over, the teacher will introduce parts
of a plant and their functions.
Materials:
Poem Tommy by Gwendolyn
Brooks, journal, pencil, crayons, hand-held lens, newspaper, ten houseplants
and worksheets,
computer with Internet access.
Procedure:
1. The teacher will read the poem Tommy
to the class.
2. The teacher will lead a discussion to get some feedback from the students
about plants. This will show how much prior knowledge they have on plants and
their maintenance.
3. The teacher will give the students a handout that describes the parts of a
plant and tells the functions of each part.
4. The students will receive two plants, which they are to observe, in groups,
using a hand-held lens. They will compare and contrast the different plants
they observe and write their findings down on a Venn diagram.
5. The students will then proceed to draw each plant in their journal and label
each part of the plant and its function.
6. The teacher will remind the students that the plants are alive and they are
to treat them very delicately when they observe the plants.
7. The teacher will have the students describe their plants and share what they
have learned with the rest of their classmates.
8. As a follow-up activity,
students can visit The Great Plant
Escape.
Assessment:
The students will demonstrate
their understanding by presenting their information after they have observed
the plants. Each group will have observed a different plant; therefore they
will share information about all the diverse plants. Each group will mention
the parts of their plant and its function.
LESSON FOUR: How We Use Plants
Goals and Objectives: Given an introduction to the various ways that people
use plants, students will be able to describe and illustrate uses to create a
class book.
Introduction: Read the book The Giving Tree, by Shel
Silverstein, discuss the things the tree gave the boy.
Content Standards Addressed:
Science
A INQ.6
Make
observations and ask questions about objects, organisms and the environment.
A INQ.7
Use senses and
simple measuring tools to collect data.
A INQ.8
Read, write,
listen and speak about observations of the natural world.
A INQ.9
Present
information in words and drawings.
Technology
-develop cognitive and psychomotor problem-solving skills through applied research design, production, operation and analyses of technical systems.
-safely and effectively use resources, processes, concepts and tools of technology.
Materials: The Giving Tree, by Shel Silverstein, laptops with Internet access and Kid Pix
software.
Procedure:
1.
Working with partners, students will access the following sites for an overview
of the various uses of plants; The
Different Uses of Plants, Plants.
2. Students will choose one use of plants to write about
and illustrate.
3.
Using Kid Pix, students will work independently to write about and illustrate
one way that people use plants.
4.
Students will print out pages and teacher will compile them into a class book
titled The Many Uses of Plants.
Assessment: Students will be assessed on completed pages (sample rubric),
ability to work with partners, and time on task.
LESSON FIVE: Edible Plants
Goals and Objectives: Students will determine what part of a plant they are eating
when they eat different fruits and vegetables.
Content Standards Addressed:
Science
A INQ.10
Make
observations and ask questions about objects, organisms and the environment.
A INQ.11
Use senses
and simple measuring tools to collect data.
A INQ.12
Read, write,
listen and speak about observations of the natural world.
A INQ.13
Present
information in words and drawings.
Technology
-develop cognitive and psychomotor problem-solving skills through applied research design, production, operation and analyses of technical systems.
-safely and effectively use resources, processes, concepts and tools of technology.
Introduction: Let
you students explore the "5 A Day Adventure Theater" on the Dole 5 A
Day Adventures CD-ROM before introducing this lesson. (In the "5 A Day
Adventure Theater" Pinellopy Pineapple and 41 other fruit and vegetable
characters perform on stage to show students how fruits and vegetables were
discovered, where they're grown, and what nutrients they contain. Movies show
how each fruit and vegetable is grown and harvested.)
After your class uses the CD-ROM, reinforce what they have learned about edible
plant parts through this activity.
Materials: Dole
5 A Day Adventures CD-ROM, computers, "What
Part of the Plant Are We Eating, Anyway?" activity sheets
Procedure: Dole
5 A Day Site
Follow-up activity; Plant-Parts
Salad
Assessment: Students will be assessed on participation and completion
of activity sheet.
LESSON SIX: From Seed to Plant (An Educators
Reference Desk Plan).
Goals
and Objectives: Students will be able to identify plant parts, where
seeds come from and how they grow.
Introduction: Read From Seed to Plant, by Gail Gibbons.
Content Standards Addressed:
Science
A INQ.14
Make
observations and ask questions about objects, organisms and the environment.
A INQ.15
Read, write,
listen and speak about observations of the natural world.
A INQ.16
Seek
information in books, magazines and pictures.
A INQ.17
Present
information in words and drawings.
Language Arts
1A.Students use appropriate strategies before, during and after reading in order to construct meaning.
1B.Students interpret, analyze and evaluate text in order to extend understanding and appreciation.
1C.Students select and apply strategies to facilitate word recognition and develop vocabulary in order to comprehend text.
1D.Students communicate with others to create interpretations of written, oral and visual texts.
1D.Build sight word vocabulary.
Materials: Assorted fruit,
various seeds of different types, art and writing paper, construction paper,
clear plastic cups, magnifying glass, lunch box, card stock, straws and paper
cups, magazine pictures of plants, seed labeling worksheet.
Procedure:
Day 1: What is a seed?
1. Look inside a seed.
"You wear a coat to keep you from the cold. Seeds from flowering plants
have seed coats to protect them."
A. Soak a lima bean in water
over night. Use a hand lens to examine the outside of the seed. Try to peel off
the seed covering. Split the seed in halves. Look for the parts showing the
chart. Draw the lima bean. Write the names of the parts of the seed.
B. Have children complete a chart
of a seed, noting the seed coat, root, leaves, food storage, and embryo.
Day 2: Seeds come in all shapes and sizes.
1. Most plants come
from seeds. Display seeds that come from all kinds of plants: acorns, poppies,
carrots, lettuce, rice, watermelon, nuts, etc.
A. Measure the bulk of
different kinds of seeds. Do an estimating activity allowing the children to
guess which seeds will fill more of a small cup. (Sunflower, watermelon and
marigold seeds are great for this project because they are easy to handle).
B. Some seeds grow from other plant parts (tubers). Onions makes parts that
turn unto bulbs and new plants. The bulbs are the part we eat. Show the
children some of the foods that we eat that are bulbs. (potato, onions etc.)
C. Show the children a lunch box and a peanut. Ask them what the two things
have in common. Explain that the shell of the peanut is the box and the inside
is the lunch.
D. Create seed collages.
E. Roast pumpkinseeds.
Assessment: The students will be able to correctly identify all seed parts on a worksheet.
LESSON SEVEN: Seeds
Travel
Goals and Objectives:
Introduction: Read The
Tiny Seed, by Eric Carle. Have the children take off their shoes and then
go on a hike around the school or park. When you get back to class, have the
children examine their socks to see what kind of seeds are stuck to the socks.
Content Standards Addressed:
Science
A INQ.18 Make observations and ask questions about objects,
organisms and the environment.
A INQ.19 Use senses and simple measuring tools to collect data.
A INQ.20 Read, write, listen and speak about observations of
the natural world.
A INQ.21 Seek information in books, magazines and pictures.
A INQ.22 Present information in words and drawings.
A INQ.23 Use standard tools to measure and describe physical
properties such as weight, length and temperature.
Use nonstandard measures to
estimate and compare the sizes of objects
Materials: Computers with
Internet access.
Procedure:
1. Collect and display seeds students have pulled off
their socks.
2. Can the students guess the means of seed dispersal
for each of the collected examples in the room?
3. Students will work with partners to visit the
following Web sites: How Seeds Get
Around, All
About Seeds, Seed
Dispersal.
4.
Assign each
group a different type of seed dispersal and have them create an imaginary
fruit from an imaginary flower. They must explain how their plant disperses
seeds with pictures of the flower, the fruit it becomes, and the way in which
it disperses seeds. For more advanced students, have them label the picture or
write sentences explaining the pictures.
a.
Parachutes: Design a seed that can use the wind to travel. Some
examples are maple or ash tree helicopters, fuzzy milkweed, dandelion floaters.
b.
Floaters: Design a seed that could drop into the water and
float to a better place. Some examples are sedges and coconut.
c.
Hitchhikers: Design a seed that could stick to a passer by
before dropping or being pulled off and dropped in a new place. Some examples
are sticktight and burs.
d.
Appetizers: Design a seed that might make a yummy meal for an
animal. Some examples are tomatoes, raspberries, green peppers, and grapes.
e.
Poppers: Design a seed that could be snapped out a far ways
by its fruity protector when ripe. Some examples are jewelweed and witch hazel.
5. Students will go to the Traveling Seeds WWW
Sheet and print it.
6. Students will independently complete worksheets.
Assessment: Goal is 5/5 correct on worksheet
Web
Resources
The Adventures of Herman the Worm - Learn about worm
history, anatomy, feeding, and care from Squirmin' Herman. University of
Illinois Extension.
Basil Buy Us - Fourth and fifth grade students growing and
selling basil.
BRIO Corporation - BRIO gardening toys - quality gardening utensils
for children.
Dirty
Dozen Garden Club - Kids and gardening, a wonderful way to grow!
Disney Online - NY - Kids' Garden (Basic) - Great gardening
pages from basic to advanced from the people at Disney.
Gardening
for Kids - A gardening site for kids of all ages. Kid-friendly plants, flower of the month, bulbs, Heaths & Heathers, gardening
basics, favorite flower combinations and gardening links.
GLP Kids - Links for kids in the garden.
The Great Plant Escape - Help Detective LePlant and his
partners Bud and Sprout unlock the amazing mysteries of plant life!
Growing Ideas Opening Page - The National Gardening
Association is non-profit, offering National Gardening Magazine, educational
and youth programs, gardening products, books, research, online
content and showcases, and a gardeners buyers guide.
4-H
Children's Garden - The 4 H children's garden is an online version of the real
garden at Michigan State University. This site contains vibrant pictures, as
well as QTVR pano to take you through an on line tour.
JOHN
DEERE: Kids - Johnny Tractor and his pals entertains youngsters.
Just for Kids - Tucson Botanical Gardens - The TBG kids
page offers fun in the garden quizzes and ideas.
Kid's Garden -
Suite101.com - Information, articles, links, ideas for kids and gardening.
Kids in the Garden - Some simple ideas to make gardening
fun including Cuke in a Bottle, Planting Initials, etc.
Kid's Valley Webgarden - Gardening resource for kids
kidzkorner - ICanGarden.com - List of gardening web sites
of interest to children.
KinderGARDEN - There are many opportunities available for
children to become involved with plants, gardens, or the outdoors in general.
Let's Get Growing! - Let's Get Growing Company Catalog is
the best place to find Environmental Science and Nature Education Supplies for
K-12 classrooms and children of all ages.
Linda's
Garden - Resources, information and tips for kids gardening. Also an award for
kids' gardening pages.
Little Sprouts - Gardening and Kids can go together. Here
are some ideas on getting your children interested in gardening and plants.
Perma-Kids, permaculture for children - Permaculture means
'permanent agriculture' a natural way of growing healthy plants that we eat.
Ponds-at-schools Resource - Canadian site includes the
Metro Zoo Adopt-a-Pond resource.
The Potting Shed - Free information for the novice &
the advanced gardener with tips, how-to illustrations, & what to do in the
garden right now! Visit "The Children's Corner"
Seeds of Change Garden - Through the garden children plan,
cultivate, and harvest, they interact with nature and each other. The garden
further helps students respect and nurture the Earth and its peoples.
The
Yuckiest Site on the Internet - The Yuckiest Site on the Internet, a
science education site that uses a laugh and learn technique that makes
learning fun. Yucky info about the human body, bugs, and much more on this
safe, fun site for kids.
Access Excellence: The Site for Health
and Bioscience Teachers and Learners
Plants I Wanna Know
About Plants
Literature Resources
How
a Seed Grows (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 1) by Helene
J. Jordan
Planting
a Rainbow (Voyager/Hbj Book) by Lois
Ehlert
The
Tiny Seed (Aladdin Picture Books) by Eric
Carle
The
Reason for a Flower (World of Nature) by Ruth
Heller
A
Seed Grows : My First Look at a Plant's Life Cycle (My First Look at Nature)
by Pamela
Hickman
From
Seed to Plant by Gail
Gibbons