Life Science · Matter & Energy in Living Things
Where Does Plant Growth Come From?
Use mass evidence and models to argue that plant-growth materials come chiefly from air and water.

Lesson plan
Where Does Plant Growth Come From?
A step-by-step guide to help you teach this lesson.
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Lesson overview
What students will learn
- Use mass evidence to evaluate the claim that most new plant material comes from soil.
- Build a model showing water and carbon dioxide from air as chief material sources for plant growth while keeping sunlight labeled as an energy input.
Key science ideas
- Gases are matter even when invisible.
- Roots take in water and leaves take in carbon dioxide.
- Air and water supply most material for plant growth.
Lesson at a glance
- Grade 5
- 55 min
- ~8 min prep
- 5-LS1-1
- 4 materials
What’s included
- Lesson Plan
- Investigation
- Teacher Slides
- Printable Worksheet
- Teacher Answer Key
- Interactive Activity
- Vocabulary