Preschool Lesson Plans- Plants
Green and growing
I. Lesson PlansA. Day One
Large group
a) Science/ language
What is a plant?
Show children the items listed below or similar items.
(carrot with greens, a flowering plant,
an earthworm, a pen, an ivy plant, a book, a paper cup, a bug in a jar.)
Explain that some are plants and some are not. Plants grow, but they cannot
move around by themselves. Most plants also make their own food.
Ask the children to identify all the items that grow and
group them together. Encourage children to tell how they know something grows.
(It may get larger or change its form.) Then ask them which of those items that grow cannot move
around by themselves. Put those items in a "Plant corner". Make a chart for the plant corner:
What is a plant?
A plant grows
A plant does not move around by itself.
2. Table activity or small groups
a) Art- Easel painting- paint a flower- give suggestions
and help as needed. b) Skill sheets
3. Related center activity- Plant puzzle
4. Skill review- Take the children outside. Ask each child to
collect a plant (or plant part)
and something that is not a plant. Then have volunteers share
their findings and explain why each is or is not a plant. Let children add their plants
to the "Plant Corner".
B.Day Two
Large group- Science/ language
Review "what is a plant?" by asking riddles below.
(Need photo of a baby, a plant, and a rock)
1. I am not at all like the other two. I do not grow.
I do not move around by myself. Which one am I?
2. I am like you because I can grow. I am not like you
because I cannot move around by myself. Which one am I?
3. I am a lot like you. I can grow. I can move around all
by myself? Which one am I?
Talk about parts of the plant, using a real plant as model.
What is each part's function?
Roots- gets water and food from ground
Stems- carries water and food to leaves
Leaves- makes food for plant
Flowers- makes seeds or fruit
Seeds- makes new plants
Show celery stalk- ask which part of the plant is this?
Show holes in end of stalk. Explain
that these holes carry water to the leaves.
Say that we are going to do an experiment that proves the water
goes up the stem to the leaves. Place a celery stalk
in a cup of water heavily colored with food coloring.
You make place another stalk in a different color.
Explain that we will watch the stalk all
morning and see what happens.
Later check the stalks and show how the color has traveled up to the leaves.
III. Day Three
Large group- Science and Math
Bring samples (and have children bring) of the different parts
of plants that we can eat.
Fruits and seeds: fruit, sunflower seeds, nuts
Roots: carrots, potatoes
Stems: celery, asparagus
Leaves: lettuce, cabbage, turnips
Flowers: cauliflower, broccoli
Ask children if they have ever eaten a plant root.
Which root? Record responses on an experience chart entitled "Plants- the parts we eat"
Continue discussion by asking if they have ever eaten stems,
leaves, flowers, or fruits or seeds.
Make suggestions if necessary. List each on chart by category.
Math: Have children sort food samples by part of plant.
Wash, divide and serve for snack.
Table activity- Choose magazine photos of favorite plant parts that we eat.
Paste on paper plate.
Orally identify which part of the plant each photo is.
IV. Day Four
Large group- Science/math
What plants need to grow.
Read The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle.
Ask what are some times that a seed needs to grow. Soil or food, water, sunshine, and air.
Note that these are the same things that people and
animals need to grow. Ask where do plants get their food.
Where do they get water? Sunshine? Air?
Math - Sequence corn plant photos-
Let children discuss and order photos of corn plant from seed,
to spout, to mature plant, to dried corn stalks.
Show children a lima bean that has been soaked overnight.
Use a toothpick to remove skin, and open the seed. Show the "embryo" or tiny plant inside.
Explain that this is the part that
will grow into a big plant when the seed is put
in the soil and watered. The rest of the seed
provides food for the plant until it can send out roots.
Tell the children that during center time, they will each be planting their own seeds.
Center time: Let each child plant several seeds in
a clear plastic cup filled with potting soil. Be sure at least one of the seeds is near the side so the spouting progress can be observed. Water and set in a sunny window. Check every day for growth and water needs. Play following action game:
The Farmer Plants His Grain
Tune "Farmer in the Dell"
The farmer plants his grain,
The farmer plants his grain,
Hi-ho in springtime
The farmer plants his grain.
(The farmer goes around planting, and those in
the circle all stoop to the ground)
The sun begins to shine,
The sun begins to shine,
Hi-ho in springtime,
The sun begins to shine.
(The sun spreads his arms overhead and runs around the circle.)
The rain begins to fall,
The rain begins to fall,
Hi-ho in springtime,
The rain begins to fall, (The rain goes around the circle moving fingers up and down like rain.)
The plant begins to grow,
The plant begins to grow,
Hi-ho in springtime,
The plants begin to grow.
(The children in circle slowly begin
to rise up and stretch arms upwards until they are tall and straight.
The farmer cuts the grain,
The farmer cuts the grain,
Hi-ho in the summer time,
The farmer cuts the grain.
(The farmer goes around the circle again, cutting down all the grain, -children fall to ground.
The farmer stacks the grain,
The farmer stacks the grain,
Hi-ho in the autumn,
The farmer stacks the grain.
(Children return to their seats.)
II. Enrichment Activities
A. Terrarium
