Introduction to Plants Lesson Plan

Objectives
Students will observe and describe plants.
Students will communicate data about plants through drawings, discussions, simple graphs, and writing.
Students will ask questions and make predictions concerning observable changes in plant development.
Students will record their observations in log books.
Students will use simple tools such as rulers, magnifying glasses, etc.
Materials
More plant babies than children in the class
1 clear plastic drinking cup per plant
potting soil
masking tape
permanent marker
1 Plant Log Book per child (see below for sample)

Procedures
Hold a group discussion about plants in general, then show the students a large plant with babies.
Allow each child to chose his/her own plant and to plant it in a cup. Then have the children name their plants and write the plant's name and the student's name on the masking tape on the cup.

The students will then make plant logs by pasting the Plant Log (see below) papers into a construction paper book. On the cover of the log, they draw a picture of what their plant looks like at that moment (correct number of leaves, etc.).

On the back they draw a picture of what they think the plant will look like in a few months.
Inside the log the students write the data about their plant on the first line.
Each week, when you water the plants, the children record the statistics about their plant on the next available line. They subtract the number of leaves when their plant loses some and add the number when they see new leaves.

Plant Log:

Date, Number of Leaves, Measurement of longest leaf, Measurement of shortest leaf. Can I see any visible roots? How many new roots or leaves are there?