### Lesson Plan: Plants and Growth
**Grade Level:** 2
**Subject:** Science
**Duration:** 60 minutes
#### **Objectives:**
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
1. Identify the basic parts of a plant and their functions.
2. Understand the conditions necessary for plant growth.
3. Observe the process of seed germination and plant growth over time.
#### **Materials Needed:**
- Chart paper and markers
- A variety of seeds (beans, sunflower, etc.)
- Small pots or cups
- Potting soil
- Watering can or spray bottle with water
- Sunlight or grow lights
- Hand lenses/magnifying glasses
- Science journals
#### **Standards:**
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS):
- 2-LS2-1 Plan and conduct an investigation to determine if plants need sunlight and water to grow.
- 2-LS2-2 Develop a simple model that mimics the function of an animal in dispersing seeds or pollinating plants.
### **Lesson Activities:**
#### **Introduction (10 minutes):**
1. **Hook:**
- Show students a variety of plants (pictures or actual plants) and ask, "What do all these plants have in common?"
- Encourage students to share their observations and thoughts.
2. **Objective Overview:**
- Briefly explain what they will learn in the lesson - the parts of a plant, how plants grow, and what they need to grow.
#### **Direct Instruction (15 minutes):**
1. **Parts of a Plant:**
- Introduce the parts of a plant: root, stem, leaf, flower, fruit.
- Use a large diagram on chart paper to illustrate each part and its function.
- Discuss how each part contributes to the growth and survival of the plant.
2. **Conditions for Growth:**
- Explain the basic needs of plants: sunlight, water, air, and soil.
- Talk about how these conditions affect plant growth, e.g., lack of water can cause wilting.
#### **Guided Practice (15 minutes):**
1. **Planting Seeds:**
- Demonstrate how to plant seeds in small pots or cups.
- Describe and model the process: fill the containers with soil, plant the seeds, and water them lightly.
2. **Student Activity:**
- Each student plants their own seed.
- Write their names on their pots/cups for easy identification.
#### **Independent Practice (10 minutes):**
1. **Science Journals:**
- Ask students to draw and label the parts of a plant in their science journals.
- Have them write a few sentences about what a plant needs to grow.
2. **Prediction and Observation:**
- Have students predict what will happen to their seeds and write their predictions in their journals.
- Instruct them on how they will observe and record changes in their plant over the coming days/weeks.
#### **Conclusion (10 minutes):**
1. **Review Key Points:**
- Quickly revisit the parts of the plant and the conditions needed for growth.
- Ask students to share one thing they learned today.
2. **Q&A:**
- Allow time for students to ask any questions they might have and answer them accordingly.
#### **Assessment:**
- Formative Assessment through observation during class activities and discussions.
- Review students' science journal entries for understanding of the plant parts and the conditions needed for growth.
#### **Extension:**
- For students who finish early or need additional challenges, provide a worksheet with more in-depth questions about plant life cycles.
- Consider setting up a class experiment to see how different conditions (e.g., varying amounts of water or light) affect plant growth.
#### **Homework:**
- Have students choose a simple plant or tree in their yard or nearby park and draw a picture of it. Label its parts and write a few sentences about the plant.
### **Reflection/Notes:**
- Observe the students during the seed planting to ensure they understand the process.
- Adjust the pace of the lesson based on student understanding and engagement.
- Plan for follow-up lessons to observe and record plant growth over time.