Lesson 2:  Introduction to Plant Parts

Subjects:  Language Arts, Science, Music

Learner Outcomes:

• The student will identify the parts of a plant:  roots, stem, leaves, flower.
• The student will participate in hands-on science experiments.
• The student will make predictions.

Materials:

• Book, The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle
• Picture of a flowering plant or a live plant
• Sweet potato and jar
• Celery stalk and clear jar or vase
• White carnation and 2 clear jars or vases
• 3 newly sprouted potted plants
• Food coloring
• Water

Teacher Notes:
Parents may be asked to provide items for the experiments.

Procedures:
1.  Use digital camera to take pictures of lima bean seeds and record
     observations from soaked lima beans seeds. (See attachment 1a)
2.  Read and discuss the book, The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle.
3.  Display a picture of a plant or use a live plant.  Discuss and label parts
     of the plant.
4.  Prepare the following demonstrations for students to observe.
     a.  Roots -  Place a sweet potato in a jar to observe roots forming.
     b.  Stem -  Place a stalk of celery into a glass of colored water to observe
          the travel of water through the stem.
     c.  Leaf - Using three newly sprouted potted plants of nearly the same size,
         remove all the leaves from one plant, half the leaves from the second, and
         none of the leaves from the third to observe the relationship between
         leaves and the growth of a plant.  (ex.  sunflowers)
     d.  Flower - Split a white carnation stem in half from bottom to top leaving
          2 inches of stem intact just under the flower.  Place each part of the stem
          in a jar of different colored water to observe the change in the color of
          the flower.
5.  Discuss predictions of what the students think will happen in each
     demonstration.
6.  Go to Internet site - Oats, Peas, Beans, and Barley Grow.

Modifications:
Teacher should determine specific needs of students as indicated on
Individualized Education Plan.

Enrichment Activities:
Encourage children to set up similar demonstrations at home using different plants.
Search Internet for sites about experiments with plants.
Read library or class books about plants and experiments.
View "Jack and the Beanstalk" Video by Milliken Publishing Co.

Evaluation/Assessment:
Oral discussion
Students will draw a flowering plant and label the parts; roots, stem, leaves,
flower.

West Virginia Instructional Goals and Objectives:
Language Arts
    Listening/Speaking  1.1, 1.3, 1.10, 1.14, 1.15, 1.16,  2.5, 2.8, 3.8, 3.11
    Reading Comprehension  1.21, 1.44, 2.19, 2.20, 2.21, 3.15, 3.19, 3.24
    Study Skills  3.74
Science
    Nature of Science  1.1
    Scientific Attitudes/Habits of Mind  1.15, 2.12, 2.15, 3.12, 3.15
    Scientific Processes/Thinking Skills  1.18, 2.21, 3.22, 3.23
    Science Themes and Subject Matter  1.33, 2.29, 2.32, 3.31, 3.35
    Laboratory Investigations/Hands-on Learning  1.25, 1.26
Music  1.1, 1.19, 2.1, 3.1
Computer/Technology  1.71, 1.72, 2.65, 3.82

National Standards:
Goals 3 & 5

References:
The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle
Plants Teacher Resource Book by Hands-On Minds-On Science
Plants Teacher Resource Book by Teacher Created Materials, Inc.
Web Collection CD Set from ROM-MAN Technologies
Internet site - Oats, Peas, Beans, and Barley Grow

Created by:
Anna Deem
Leanne Hoselton
Kathy Lowers

Lubeck Elementary School, Parkersburg, WV