1st Grade exploring plants and their environments

Scope and sequence

Suggested Time Frame: 1st Grade Science Curriculum Map

• 4th Nine Weeks- Consult the 1st Grade Science Curriculum Map for specific details.

The 1st Grade Science Curriculum Map outlines the following information:

• 1. Recommended pacing, scope, and sequence for each unit.

  2. Alignment with standards, conceptual understandings, and performance indicators

  3. Links to Unit Concept Storyboard Maps, Content and SEP Support Documents, and Curriculum Guides

  4. Details for Evidence of Understanding, Essential Learning Experiences, and Suggested Learning Engagements

  5. Where appropriate, alignment with specific FOSS, DSM, GEMS, and STC kit Activities and Investigations

Learning goals, skills, and concepts

Learning Goals

• Students will gather information from various sources, including direct observations of growing plants, to illustrate the structures of flowering plants and explain how each structure helps the plant to survive.

• Students will observe a flowering plant as it grows in order to illustrate the plant’s life cycle and describe what is happening at each stage of a plant’s life.

• Students will gather data from measurements and observations of plants they grow in order to determine what plants need to survive (light, air, space, nutrients, and water)

• Students will develop models using information from different sources to illustrate how different plants structures help plants survive in different environments.

• Students will gather, analyze, and interpret data from plants they grow and observe to describe how plants respond to changes in their habitats.

Skills and Concepts

• Analyze and Interpret Data- SEP Support Document

• Develop and Use Models- SEP Support Document

• Obtain and Communicate Information- SEP Support Document

• Conduct Investigations- SEP Support Document

• Construct Explanations- SEP Support Document

• Plant Structures- Essential Knowledge Support Document

• Plant Stages of Development- Essential Knowledge Support Document

• Plants Needs- Essential Knowledge Support Document

• Plants Characteristics and Adaptations- Essential Knowledge Support Document

• Plants Responding to Environmental Changes- Essential Knowledge Support Document

Science Concept Storyboard

This link will take you to a print-friendly version of the science concept storyboard.

Lessons and activities

Plants and Their Environment Unit Planning Support Doc

Potential Instructional Strategies/Lessons/Examples

• New Plants (FOSS Kit) All Investigations

• Pearson SC Interactive Science Textbook:

  • Chapter 4, Inquiry Warm Up pp.122 - How are flowers alike and different? (1.L.5A.1)

  • Chapter 4, Lesson 1 Quick Lab pp.125 - How do leaves compare? (1.L.5A.1, 1.S.1A.8)

  • Chapter 4, Lesson 2 Quick Lab pp.131 - Hoes does a seed grow? (1.L.5A.2, 1.S.1A.6)

  • Chapter 4, Lesson 3 Quick Lab pp.135 - Do plants need water? (1.L.5B.1, 1.S.1A.3)

  • Chapter 4, Lesson 4 Quick Lab pp.139 - Which leaf shape drips faster? (1.L.5B.2, 1.S.1A.2)

  • Chapter 4, Lesson 4 Lab Investigation pp.144-145 - How do different seeds grow? (1.L.5A.2, 1.L.5B.1, 1.L.5B.3, 1.S.1A.2, 1.S.1A.4)

• AIMS Activities: 2005 SC Science AIMS 1st Grade

  • Plant Parts

  • Inside a Seed

  • Root Study

  • Stem Study

  • Leaf Safari

  • This Is My Flower

  • Seeds Travel

  • Little Brown Seeds

  • A Seed Grows

  • Show It Grow

  • Just a Little Sprout

  • Reaching Up Toward the Sun

  • Plants and Space

  • A Plant Patch

  • Plants and Sunlight

  • Plants and Water

  • What Do Plants Need to Grow?

  • Patchwork Planting

  • Plant Part Mark Up

  • Designer Plants

  • Where Do We Belong?

  • Concentrating on Environments

• Earth System in a Bottle (1.L.5B.1)

  • In pairs, students will create experimental conditions in terrarium in order to study what plants need to live. Variables include the presence or absence of soil, water, and sunlight.

• Light Plants and Dark Plants, Wet Plants and Dry Ones (1.L.5B.1)

  • This lesson, from the TeachEngineering website, details investigations where students determine what plants need (light and water) to grow

    • This lesson is already recommended for Kindergarten standards, however, it can be easily adapted to include other plant needs beyond light and water (air, minerals/nutrients, space) that are not covered in 1st grade.

• S2TEM Center SC - 1st Grade Science Lessons

  • http://www.s2temsc.org/k-8-science-lessons.html

    • Life Science 1-2.1 Lesson A “What A Plants Need” (1.L.5A, 1.L.5B)

      • It is essential to keep this unit as basic as possible. Do not go beyond the recommendations since a child at this age is not developmentally ready to understand astronomy concepts. They will take the foundation

    • Life Science 1-2.2 Lesson A “Plant Parts” (1.L.5A)

      • Careful consideration should be given when planning for this unit. Plant activities are best completed in the spring unless you are able to utilize Wisconsin Fast Plants. In nature, it may be difficult to find plants with flowers, seeds, and fruit all on the same plant but examples of these structures might be visible on several different plants. Also, keep in mind when “spring break” is for your district. This is one full week that your plants will go without care unless you are able to enter the school during the break.

    • Life Science 1-2.3 Lesson A “What Plant Part Do You Eat” (1.L.5B.2)

      • In this lesson students will investigate the parts of plants that are eaten by humans. It is important that that students understand that much of the nutrients we need are derived from our consumption of plants.

        • This activity can be done during both the 2nd and 4th nine week. This will allow you to discuss the different time of the year crops are grown and why.

    • Life Science 1-2.4 Lesson A “Life Cycle of Plants” (1.L.5A.2)

      • In kindergarten the students recognized that organisms go through changes of growth called life cycles. For this level student, students need to know that plants have life cycles with distinct stages. A plant's life cycle describes the stages it goes through during its life or how it germinates, grows, flowers, and seeds.

        • This activity can be done during both the 2nd and 4th nine week. This will allow you to discuss the life cycle of plants that grow in different seasons and why such as pumpkins, strawberries, apples, etc.

    • Life Science 1-2.5 Lesson A “Plant Environment” (1.L.5B.2)

      • This is the first time that students have been introduced to distinct environments and the concept that they support different types of plants.

        • This activity can be done during both the 2nd and 4th nine weeks. The students can compare why certain plant would be grown during a certain time of the year.

    • Life Science 1-2.6 Lesson A “Observing Cacti” (1.L.5B.2)

      • In this investigation students will follow a procedure for carrying out a simple scientific investigation by observing several varieties of cacti. Students will identify the parts of the plant that allow it to survive in this harsh environment

Additional Resources

• BBC (1.L.5B.1) http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/5_6/growing_plants.shtml

  • This website simulates plant growth by allowing the student to water the plant to see growth. It also gives a diagram of the major structures of the plants.

• Plant Habitats Around the World (1.L.5B.2) http://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?guidAssetId=FAB0694F-0C5B-4035-95D5-4F8628E6D272&blnFromSearch=1&productcode=US

  • This video shows various types of plants in different biome locations such as the rainforest and desert.

• Plant Life Cycles (1.L.5A.2) http://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?guidAssetId=26418961-2EA8-4FE9-B7E9-4EA2C330DB08&blnFromSearch=1&productcode=US

  • This video shows the germination and pollination processes as well as the life cycle of several plants.

• Pearson SC Interactive Science Content Leveled Readers

• Picture Books

  • The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss

  • The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle

  • What is a Plant by Louise and Richard Spilsbury

  • From Seed to Plant by Gail Gibbons

  • The Dandelion Seed by Joseph A. Anthony and Cris Arbo

  • Seeds Pop Sticks Glide by Patricia Lauber

  • Tops and Bottoms by Janet Stevens

• BrainPop Jr.

  • Parts of A Plant

  • Plant Adaptations

  • Plant Life Cycle

• Field Study

  • Riverbank Zoo and Garden - Garden Programs for Schools

    • Cost: Program Fee of $55 per class of 25

    • Held in Botanical Garden Amphitheater

    • Available Mon-Fri 9am -2pm (1 hour)

    • 803.978.1131 or email aseegura@riverbanks.org

      • Create Your Own Program

        • Choose your own topics to create a unique, hands-on, immersive experience for your group.

          • http://www.riverbanks.org/education/school-programs.shtml

  • Clinton Sease Farms (October- Pumpkins/April - Strawberries)

    • During the fall you can visit and learn about the lifecycle of a pumpkin and visit the pumpkin patch to pick your own pumpkin.

    • During the spring you can visit to learn about the lifecycle of a strawberry and visit the strawberry patch to pick your own strawberries.

  • Sky Top Apple Orchard (October/November)

    • During this field study students are able to observe the colors of leaves in North Carolina changing during to the environment. Students are also able to observe and learn about the life cycle and pick apples.

• National Geographic Video Resource:

  • As with any video resource, teachers should carefully preview and vet any videos before showing them to students.