Objective
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to understand how plants grow and what they need to survive.
Materials and Prep
- Soil
- Seeds (e.g. sunflower seeds)
- Watering can or spray bottle
- Small pots or containers
- Scissors
- Coloring pencils
- Clear plastic cup
- Chart paper
Make sure to have a space where you can plant your seeds and observe them daily.
Activities
- Plant a Seed: Plant a seed in a pot with soil. Water it and place it in a sunny spot. Observe and document its growth daily.
- Grow Your Own Grass Head: Cut the top off a clear plastic cup, fill it with soil, and plant grass seeds. Decorate the cup as a face. Water and watch the grass grow to create "hair".
- Draw and Label a Plant: Use coloring pencils to draw a plant and label its parts (roots, stem, leaves, flower).
Talking Points
- Plants need sunlight to make their food. Say, "Plants love the sun because it helps them make yummy food!"
- Plants drink water through their roots. Explain, "Just like we need water to stay healthy, plants need water too!"
- Seeds are like tiny plant babies waiting to grow. Tell them, "Seeds are like magic beans that turn into beautiful plants!"
- Leaves are like plant food factories. Say, "Leaves work hard to make food for the plant to grow big and strong!"
- Plants breathe through tiny holes in their leaves. Explain, "Plants breathe in fresh air through tiny windows in their leaves!"
- Flowers attract bees and butterflies to help them make more seeds. Say, "Flowers wear pretty colors to invite bees and butterflies for a sweet treat!"