Lesson Summary
In the first lesson students will get an introduction to the Plant Growth and Development unit. Students brainstorm what they already know about plants, and they ask related questions. In addition to recalling prior knowledge, students get experience with observing, recording and predicting. In the second part of the lesson learners explore and make observations about a common seed, the lima bean, to identify its properties. Finally the students make predictions about what the lima bean’s properties will be after it has soaked in water overnight.
Teacher Background
Students will grow in their skills of observation, recording, and predicting throughout the unit. This introductory lesson will give you an idea of what students know about plants and their observation skills at this point. The information gathered in this early lesson can be used as pre-assessment and compared with responses to similar prompts at the end of the unit.
Set-up/Management Tips
- This lesson can be broken down into two parts (KWL and lima bean observation/recording/predicting).
- The seeds will need to be soaked overnight for tomorrow’s lesson. Many of the children will want to make sure they get their own seeds back to make accurate descriptions of anticipated changes.
- This is a good time to show some other seeds to point out their diversity.
- A flex cam is a good piece of technology to use with this lesson to show detail.
- You will need chart paper to record student ideas.
Literacy Support
Scientific Vocabulary
The following words are key vocabulary words that will be introduced in this lesson and reinforced throughout the unit:
plants
lima beans
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odor
properties
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