Observing Plant Growth: Introduction to Biological Sciences

Names: Allison Stark, Lexi Weit, Mireille Hazboun, Abby Marx

EDUC 110
Date: 12 April 2019

TITLE: Predicting and Observing Plant Growth

SUBJECT: Science

GRADE LEVEL: Kindergarten

RATIONALE: Following previous activity of planting pea plant seeds, students will chose the
location and observe the growth of plants in three different areas of the classroom over a two
week time span. Students will observe growth through class discussion and shared writing.

ACTIVITY: After answering a daily prediction question about which location will grow the most,
a running tally will be written on the board. Students will draw their plant prediction for each
location in their observation journal. Students will be given an opportunity to observe the plants
and draw the plants actual growth. The lesson will conclude after two weeks with the reveal of
the tallest plant and comparing that to the board tally and student drawings.

STANDARD AND LEARNING GOALS (NAEYC 3.B)

STANDARD AREA - 3.1: Biological Sciences

Students will predict and observe plant growth through group discussion
and independently in journals.

STANDARD - 3.1.K.A3: Observe, compare, and describe stages of life cycles for plants
and/or animals.

OBJECTIVE(S):
After students independently answer the entrance question on board they will join class
for group discussion. Students will then make drawing predictions on appearance of
plant. Comparing that prediction to the actual growth of the plant that will also be drawn
in journal. Compare results after two weeks to student predictions.

CURRICULUM ALIGNMENTS/ CURRICULUM FRAMEWORK: (NAEYC 3.B)

BIG IDEA: Living things depend on their environment to meet their basic needs.
ESSENTIAL QUESTION: What is the role of the environment in providing the basic
needs of an organism?
DURATION: Two weeks

LIST OF MATERIAL/ EQUIPMENT: (NAEYC 4.B )

 Three potted pea plants

 Dry erase markers
 Water
  Student writing journals
 Student writing utensils

VOCABULARY: (NAEYC 4.B)

 Bolting - Growing a tall flower stalk in a very short period of time.

 Roots - Anchor and support the plant, take in water and food, and store food.
 Life cycle - A series of stages through which something passes during its lifetime.
 Photosynthesis - the process in which plants convert sunlight, water and carbon dioxide
into food (sugars and starches), oxygen, and water.

PROCEDURES: (NAEYC 5.C)

1. Instructor will begin by asking students to choose three areas of the room where they
would like to place their growing pea plants.
2. Instructor will then ask students to choose which area they feel the plant will grow the
tallest. Instructor will then record tally marks on the board.
3. Daily, students will make personal predictions about which location they chose and then
draw what they think the plant will look like that day.
4. The students will then observe the plants and draw the actual growth.
5. Group discussions will be held after every observation session to discuss the growth.
6. Lesson will wrap up after two weeks with the reveal of the tallest plant and comparison
of tally predictions on the board. Instructor will ask and teach why plants in certain
locations grew taller than others.

ASSESSMENT (Formative) (NAEYC 3.B)

Instructor will take notes of the drawing predictions and active participation in
observation. Results will be notated in student’s progress journal for future progress evaluation.
Students spoken responses will also be notated in personal file.

RELATED MATERIALS AND RESOURCES (NAEYC 4.B)

1. The following related book titles will be included in the classroom library for independent
ot small group reading:
 How Plants Grow by Dona Herweck Rice
 The Amazing Life Cycle of Plants by Kay Barnham

2. Students can consult the following website for games that go through the process of growing
plants. http://www.pbs.org/parents/education/science/games/preschooler-kindergarten/

3. Students can virtually practice planting by downloading the app Grow Garden by Gro Play on
the Apple app store.

ADAPTATION: (NAEYC 3.C)

For the learning disabled students and the English language learners in the class population,
the following accommodations will be made during this lesson.

 New vocabulary words will be introduced individually prior to the lesson introduction.
EXTENSIONS: (NAEYC 2.C AND 3.D)
At home, students with the help of their parents can grow a plant of their choice.
This extension activity can get students excited about growing plants and give them personal
experience to share during class discussions.