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Science Lesson Kit · Teacher Resource

What Do Plants Need to Grow? — 5E Lesson Plan

Life Science · 40 minutes

Grade 2

5E lesson flow

  1. 01

    Engage

    5 min

    Teacher Does

    Show two plant photos with different growth and ask what might explain the difference.

    Students Do

    Generate possible plant needs.

    Ask

    • What do plants get from their environment?

    Look For

    Water and light as testable conditions.

  2. 02

    Explore

    11 min

    Teacher Does

    Help groups plan or examine a light or water comparison.

    Students Do

    Identify what changes and what stays the same.

    Ask

    • How can we make this comparison fair?

    Look For

    One changed condition.

  3. 03

    Explain

    7 min

    Teacher Does

    Introduce condition and evidence using the investigation plan.

    Students Do

    Use a sentence frame to predict and justify.

    Ask

    • What evidence will we collect?

    Look For

    Growth/health observations over time.

  4. 04

    Elaborate

    11 min

    Teacher Does

    Present multi-day growth data or continue a class investigation.

    Students Do

    Compare patterns and write a conclusion.

    Ask

    • Which observation is strongest evidence?

    Look For

    Repeated observations tied to the tested condition.

  5. 05

    Evaluate

    6 min

    Teacher Does

    Give a new plant-test scenario.

    Students Do

    Identify the fair-test change and state a supported conclusion.

    Ask

    • What would you keep the same?

    Look For

    Controlled comparison reasoning.

Student goal

I can plan a fair test and use observations to explain what plants need to grow.

Learning objectives

  • Plan a fair comparison that tests one plant-growing condition at a time.
  • Use repeated observations to explain how sunlight or water affects plant growth in the investigation.

Materials

  • Similar fast-growing seedlings or pre-grown samples
  • Small pots/cups
  • Water
  • Light and dark locations
  • Plant observation sheets
  • Ruler if appropriate

Before class

  • Plan the 40-minute core class period around the prepared Day 1, Day 3, and Day 5 series.
  • If practical, begin a live plant comparison and revisit it in brief follow-ups on later days; use the prepared series when a multi-day live setup is impractical.
  • Choose a safe dark location that does not damage classroom equipment.
  • Plan how students will collect the same observations each day.

Prior knowledge

  • Plants are living things.
  • Students have seen plants change over time.

Vocabulary

sunlight
Light from the Sun that plants can use.
water
A material plants take in and need for life.
grow
To become larger or develop over time.
condition
Something about the environment that can affect what happens.
evidence
An observation or measurement that helps support an idea.

Differentiation

  • Use picture-based plant observation charts.
  • Allow oral conclusions using: The plant with ___ did ___.
  • Use a simplified picture chart with leaf count plus one condition cue such as color or upright/drooping posture; do not rely on height alone.
  • For extension, ask students why soil and temperature should also be kept similar.

Assessment

  • Check fair-test plans.
  • Review repeated observations.
  • Use the final scenario as an exit assessment.

Exit ticket

If you test whether plants need water, name the one condition you change and one thing you keep the same.

Extension

Keep a one-week class plant-growth chart and compare leaf count or height over time.