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.10  Read, write, listen and speak about observations of the natural world.

A INQ.11  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.