Teaching plants? Whether you are learning the needs, parts, functions, and/or types of plants, here are some fun, quick ideas that can span many grade levels!
Books:
Books are always a great way to introduce plants AND integrate reading!
Here are some great books to use for read alouds, feature pages, or set out for kids to explore while learning about plants.
Videos/Songs:
I always love teaching in a variety of formats. Some kids learn much better with a video! Here are some that might be helpful to you too! I put them into which grade level I thought they best fit when I watched them, however, you can also determine what is best for your class. While this is by no means an exhaustive list, maybe it will help you get started! I always recommend watching first and finding a few spots to stop and discuss! Great opportunities for turn and talk, and some Whole Brain Teaching!
Kinder/1st
2nd/3rd
Also if you have access to BrainPop Jr. they also have some engaging videos!
Plant homework/extra activity:
One of my teamies had this idea she used at her previous school for a little homework activity. The kids found a flower and taped it onto a paper. They labeled the parts we have been learning about and then wrote the function of each part. I think it was great! Such a good hands-on activity.
Click HERE if you'd like a parent letter to send home!
3-D Flower:
We made these during science lab while reviewing the parts of a plant. However, it would be pretty easy to also do within the classroom.
Materials:
-paper (preferably cardstock or something thicker than regular paper)
-straws that bend
-tissue paper
Walk through the parts and functions of the plant with the kids. As you are, they are putting that piece on and/or labeling it. They could even do this with a partner. Extension: also write the function of that part of the plant with the label. They could also do some content writing and write about the parts of the plant along with their function on a separate sheet of paper and glue to the back or staple to the bottom. So many options depending on your time frame, grade level, and expectations.
Flip book:
Creating a flip book can be utilized with not only flowers but with any plant of your choosing really.
Materials:
-construction paper (large)
-pencils, markers, crayons
The teacher can pre-make the flip book templates first or have the students do it depending on what your frustration threshold is haha.
Inside each flap is where the picture of that part will go along with the function.
Outside of the flap will be the label.
Interactive Word Wall:
If you have never seen or used an interactive word wall then you totally need to check out this webpage!
Julie Jackson came to our district and did some training to model how interactive word walls can be utilized and created by and with the kids to enhance learning!
Here is a small example of one for plants. You could expand this is grow this into a larger wall during your unit. Getting the kids involved is key!
Other Ideas:
There are so many things you can do while teaching plants! Here are a few more ideas I have used in the past.
-Grow a plant
(each student and/or a class plant)
This provided great opportunity to observe and record observations over time.
-Stem Absorption
Another fun and easy experiment that can be utilized with flowers or celery. It allows the kids a chance to also walk through the scientific process (observing, hypothesis, performing the experiment, recording results, analyzing data, and forming a conclusion).
-Eating parts of a plant
What a fun and tasty way to understand that we eat plants all the time along with incorporating healthy eating!
I hope a few of these ideas sparked something for you! There are so many wonderful things to learn and teach about plants! Happy planting!
Have a BLESSED week!
"And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you."
Romans 8:11
