Plants | Small Group
In this small-group lesson, kindergarten students explore how plants move, stand, and grow by observing gravity, support, and changes in direction. Students will use simple, hands-on investigations to notice how plants need light and water, how stems support leaves, and how seeds and plants can move in response to their environment.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| plant | A living thing that grows and needs water, air, and light. |
| root | The part of a plant that grows in the ground and helps hold it up. |
| stem | The part that helps carry water and supports the plant. |
| leaf | The part of the plant that helps it get energy from light. |
| support | Something that helps hold an object up. |
| gravity | A force that pulls things down toward the ground. |
Show plant pictures and ask, 'How are these plants standing up?' and 'What do plants need to grow?' Record student ideas.
Observe pictures, share ideas, and point out parts they notice.
Show a real plant. Guide children to gently touch the stem and leaves. Ask, 'Which part holds the plant up?' Demonstrate support by placing a stake next to the stem.
Touch and describe plant parts, then watch how the stake helps support the plant.
Hold a paper towel strip or flexible stem-like object and let it droop downward. Explain that gravity pulls things down. Ask students to predict what happens if a plant does not have enough support.
Predict, observe, and say whether the object moves down or stays up.
Use a flashlight near a plant or plant picture. Slowly move the light and ask children to notice which way the plant seems to turn or reach.
Watch closely and describe how the plant may reach toward the light.
Have students draw a plant with roots, stem, and leaves. Prompt them to label or point to each part and tell one thing each part does.
Draw, talk about plant parts, and share with the group.
Review the key ideas: plants grow, stems support, roots help hold the plant, and gravity pulls down. Ask students to complete a sentence: 'A plant needs ____ to grow.'
Repeat key ideas and finish the sentence orally.
End by revisiting the big idea: plants are living things, and physics helps us understand how they stand, move, and respond to light and gravity. Celebrate student observations and restate one new fact shared by the group.
Formative assessment will be based on student responses during discussion, participation in the investigations, and the guided drawing. The teacher will note whether each student can name at least two plant parts and explain one way a plant stays up or reaches toward light.