Age and Grade Requirements
- Age: 5-6 years old
- Grade: Kindergarten
Goals
By the end of this unit study, students will be able to:
- Identify and name parts of plants and their functions.
- Understand the basic needs of plants for growth and survival.
- Explore the life cycle of plants, from seed to maturity.
- Enhance creativity through arts and crafts activities.
- Gain exposure to basic concepts of science, history, and geography related to plants.
Schedule (5 Days)
Day 1: Introduction to Plants
- Introduction to the concept of plants and their importance
- Identify and discuss parts of a plant (e.g., roots, stems, leaves)
- Arts and crafts: Create a “Parts of a Plant” diagram
Day 2: Plant Needs and Photosynthesis
- Focus on the basic needs of plants: Discuss sunlight, water, soil, and air
- Learn about photosynthesis and how plants make food
- Science experiment: Observe plant growth under different light conditions
Day 3: Life Cycle of Plants
- Explore the life cycle of plants: From seed to seedling, growth, flowering, and seed production
- Engage in a hands-on planting activity: Plant seeds in pots or cups
- Arts and crafts: Create a flipbook illustrating the stages of a plant’s life cycle
Day 4: Flowers and Pollination
- Focus on flowers and their role in pollination
- Discuss the importance of bees and other pollinators
- Reading a related storybook
Day 5: Plants Around the World and Culmination
- Discuss different types of plants found in various regions of the world
- Geography component: Identify famous gardens and botanical sites
- Culmination activity: Create a “Plant Art Gallery” showcasing student artwork inspired by different types of plants
Recommended Books (with Amazon Links)
- “The Tiny Seed” by Eric Carle Amazon Link
- “From Seed to Plant” by Gail Gibbons Amazon Link
- “Planting a Rainbow” by Lois Ehlert Amazon Link
Recommended Video Links
- SciShow Kids: “The Life Cycle of Plants” YouTube Link
- Peep and the Big Wide World: “Plants Are Alive” YouTube Link
- National Geographic Kids: “Photosynthesis: How Plants Make Food” YouTube Link
Arts and Crafts Activity
Create “Plant Collage”: Provide various materials (colored paper, tissue paper, buttons, etc.) for students to create a collage of different parts of a plant.
Science Experiment
“Light and Plant Growth”: Observe how plants respond to different light conditions by placing some plants in sunlight and others in a shaded area.
Culmination Activity
Create a “Plant Art Gallery” in the classroom, displaying student artwork inspired by different types of plants.
Bible Connection
Discuss biblical references to plants, such as the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-9) and the imagery of the tree of life in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:8-9), exploring the significance of plants in spiritual contexts.