Science Lesson: What are Pollinators?
Lesson Plan
1 hour 30 minutesGradesK, 1, 2Biology, English Language Arts
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Written by Ghislaine Fandel
About this lesson
In this lesson, students are introduced to the importance of pollinators as they learn how flowering plants, pollinators, and humans are connected.
Step 1 - Inquire: Students color in the anatomy of a flower while learning about flowers’ mutualistic relationship with pollinators.
Step 2 - Investigate: Students identify which flowers are most likely to attract specific pollinators and reflect on the importance of pollinators.
Step 3 - Inspire: Students make a paper flower based on a pollinator, learn how pollinators are threatened, and write about how they can help protect pollinators.
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Everything you need to teach it
How to edit these materials (video)Teaching tips
Positives
- This lesson creates a collaborative learning environment for students to learn about pollinators and how to protect them.
- This lesson encourages students to be both creative and observant by combining science and art practices.
- This lesson uses different modalities, including auditory, visual, and tactile.
- Students will develop a strong connection to self and other species through the Make a Flower and Write a Letter to Pollinator activities.
Additional Prerequisites
- Specific materials like scissors and glue are necessary to make the paper flower. A list of materials is provided in the Make a Flower section of the Student Document.
- The Match the Pollinator-Flower Pairs worksheet in the Student Document should be printed in color or used digitally.
- Images of the flowers mentioned in the reading can be found in the Teacher Slideshow.
- To save on ink and paper, ask students which pollinator they have chosen for the Make a Flower activity and then print out only the relevant cut-out sheets from the Student Document.
- Some students may need to be introduced to or review the term observation. You can use this short video to do so.
- Use this resource to learn more about the types of flowers specific pollinators are attracted to and this resource to learn more about the threats to pollinators.
Differentiation
- Teachers can print and cut out flower pieces for younger students to put together the Make a Flower as a puzzle activity.
- There are two options for the Student Reading and the Letter to a Pollinator activity to accommodate different reading and writing levels.
- The letter writing and matching activities can be used as assessments.
- This lesson can be extended into a larger research project on the importance of biodiversity or the impact of humans on the environment.
- This lesson can be used in science lessons about the natural world and in art lessons about colors and shapes.
- Teachers can read the passage aloud and help students draw conclusions about what attracts each pollinator. The writing exercise can also be shortened.
- The class can complete the Parts of a Flower worksheet as a class by projecting the worksheet onto a board and coloring it in with input from students.
From the scientist review
This lesson enables students to gain insights into the role of pollinators on flowers, they will learn the elementary parts of a flower, and how to match specific pollinators to flowers. All materials used in developing the lesson have been thoroughly reviewed and this lesson has passed our science credibility process.
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About the teacher writer
Ghislaine Fandel
Ghislaine was the former Science Communication Lead and Content Director at ClimateScience, an educational charity focused on climate solutions. She co-led products such as courses, quizzes, school activities, children’s books, and more, intended to make climate education accessible for all and inspire the new generation of climate leaders. Ghislaine has experience in climate activism in her hometown of Miami, Florida, calling for an equitable and just transition away from fossil fuels. She also works as a writer for Thred Media, covering the climate crisis and Big Oil.
