Plant Lesson: Experiment
Lesson Plan
1 hour 30 minutesGradesK, 1, 2Biology
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Written by Emily Townsend
About this lesson
In this lesson, students design and execute an experiment to learn about what plants need to survive and communicate their findings to others.
Inquire: Students observe the differences between freshwater, brackish water, and saltwater in order to make predictions about what plants need to survive.
Investigate: Students design and carry out an experiment to test their predictions about what type of water is best for some plants.
Inspire: Students communicate what they learned in an original song.
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Everything you need to teach it
How to edit these materials (video)Teaching tips
Suggestions
- Students engage in many of the Next Generation Science Standards Science and Engineering Practices.
- Students have the opportunity to develop and execute an experiment.
- Students use both sketching and writing as observational tools.
- This lesson can be taught over several days. Teach the Inquire section and the beginning of the Investigate section on Day 1, introduce the experiment and set it up on Day 2, experiment over several weeks, and then finish the Inspire section.
Prerequisites
- This is lesson 2 of 3 in our K-2nd grade Water and Plants Unit Plan.
- You will need the following materials for activity in the Inquire section:
- 1-liter pitcher of plain water
- 1-liter pitcher of water with about 2 teaspoons of salt dissolved
- 1-liter pitcher of water with about 6 teaspoons of salt dissolved
- A small cup for each student
- See the Teacher Document for any materials needed for the Investigate section.
Differentiation
- You can choose the scientist video in the Investigate section that is the best fit for your students. Options include Sesame Street: Bouncing Balls or A Study in Stream Ecology. The Teacher Slideshow includes slides with questions specific to each video.
- The Investigate section offers several options for experimentation. Each option will provide students with the understanding needed to complete subsequent lessons. Teacher selects one of the three experiment options for students to complete. See Teacher Document for more information.
- Students can use the template to write a song or create their own using the Student Document.
From the scientist review
The lesson allows students to use scientific method to inquire about how different plants can survive across fresh water, salt water, and brackish water. It allows students to investigate the changes and predict the water conditions required for plants to survive. All images, videos, and accompanying materials featured in the lesson have been reviewed. This lesson has passed our science review process.
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About the teacher writer
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Emily Townsend
K-8 ELL Teacher
Emily Townsend is an educator with 15 years of teaching experience as both a general education teacher and an English Language Learner (ELL) specialist. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Drake University and a Master of Arts in Teaching, Leadership, and Cultural Competency from the University of Iowa.
