K-4 Lesson Plans

Topic: Plant Parts Level: Grades 2-4 Materials: Internet Connection, worksheets (print from The Great Plant Escape http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/gpe/case1/index.html) freezer bags, lettuce seeds, water, potting soil, fruits and vegetables, salad dressing, cutting board, two knives, big bowl. Brief Description: Students will read about plant structure, life cycle, and how to grow plants and will complete both online and offline activities. Students will make a salad, with teacher supervision. Standard: National Science Education Standards CONTENT STANDARD C: "As a result of activities in grades K-4, all students should develop understanding of 1) The characteristics of organisms 2) Life cycles of organisms 3) Organisms and environments" (http://www.nap.edu/readingroom/books/nses/html/6c.html#csck4)
Objectives:Students will match fruits and vegetables with their plant part name. Students will make a salad.
Resource		Plant-parts salad http://www.hhmi.org/coolscience/vegquiz/index.html This portion of the Cool Science for Curious Kids website asks students to name a tomato, lettuce, asparagus, broccoli, and carrot as a fruit, stem, leaf, root, or flower. Users click on a fruit or vegetable, then click on its plant part name. When matched correctly, the fruit or vegetable moves into a bowl and an explanation of the plant part appears. The site also provides instructions for making....... View Full GSDL Record
Steps		1) Ask students to follow the directions to complete the online Plant-Part Salad activity.
		2) Print out the directions for making a salad with students, available after the Plant-Part Salad activity is completed. Following these directions, lead students in the creation of a real salad. Enjoy!
Additional Resources		Edible plant parts http://www.cfaitc.org/Resource_Materials/Lesson_Plans/pdf/103.pdf This unit for grades 2 and 3, written for the California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom, includes nine lesson plans, teacher resources, and instructional tips. The unit describes stems, leaves, flowers, fruit, and seeds, teaches students which plant parts are edible, provides background information, lesson plans and activities, worksheets and ideas for extending the unit. This resource....... View Full GSDL Record What do plants need to grow? http://www.cfaitc.org/Resource_Materials/Lesson_Plans/pdf/401.pdf This unit, written by the California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom, includes thirteen lesson plans, teacher resources, and instructional tips. The unit covers plant parts and what plants need to grow. This unit helps students connect the science they learn to the food they eat and the clothes they wear. Throughout this unit, you will see your students intrinsically excited about learning....... View Full GSDL Record