K-State Research and Extensions
You Ol’ Fossil
Geologists are gneiss, tuff, and a little bit wacke. The fifth chapter of seven includes ten activities at four different levels. The hands-on activities cover fossils including how they are formed, vertebrates, invertebrates,...
Curated OER
A Hidden Beauty
Expose the beautiful mystery of bulbs as young botanists learn all about these fascinating plants. They glean information from a short text before observing actual bulbs (consider an onion), and comparing their findings with predictions....
Curated OER
Plant Part Exploration: Stems
Explore water transport in plant stems using this fun experiment! Your scientists will start by reading Stems by Vijaya Bodach. Then, activate prior knowledge about plant stem functions and water transportation. Demonstrate this concept...
Academy of American Poets
On Marilyn Nelson's Poem “1905”
Marilyn Nelson's poem, "1905," asks young scholars to compare and contrast George Washington Carver and Albert Einstein. After studying images of the two scientists and listing their observations, class members listen to several readings...
Academy of American Poets
Teach This Poem: "Putting in the Seed" by Robert Frost
Young botanists dig into a instructional activity that has them planting lima bean seeds and observing their growth. They compare their experience to that of the speaker in Robert Frost's poem, "Putting in the Seed."
CK-12 Foundation
Fields in the Life Sciences
Many fields of study require a specialty and a sub-specialty as you progress through your education. Scholars learn about six sub-specialties of life science. From botany to zoology, our knowledge of the world of living organisms expands...
Cornell University
Plant Cell Crime Scene
Use science to solve the mystery of the Poplar murder. Pupils use forensic botany to determine if a suspect could be the killer. By analyzing images from a Transmission Electron Microscope, learners determine if the material found on the...
Institute for Applied Ecology
From Salmonberry to Sagebrush - Exploring Oregon’s Native Plants
Take a deep dive into Oregon's ecosystems, plants, and changes from the past to the future. Many hands-on activities in an environmental science unit delight scholars, including creating a field guide for a local park. The in-depth study...
Curated OER
A Planting We Will Go
Even the youngest kids can make scientific comparisons using collected data. They read The Tiny Seed, then discuss the essential nutrients and elements needed for a seed to grow into a blooming plant. They plant seeds and track their...
Curated OER
Design a Colonial Garden
Students explore botany by completing an art design activity in class. In this gardening history instructional activity, students identify the plants and crops utilized in the Colonial era for both food and medicine. Students utilize...
Curated OER
Growing a Native American "Three Sisters" Garden
Students explore plant life by creating their own gardens in class. In this food growing lesson, students discuss the types of gardening methods Native Americans used in order to keep healthy. Students plant corn seeds in their school...
Curated OER
Who am I? Wildflowers
Common wildflowers are the focus of this colorful matching activity worksheet. In it, learners consider 16 very accurate drawings of flowers, and attempt to match them up with their names. An answer key is provided.
Curated OER
Dirt Babies
Dirt babies are an excellent way to show young botanists the plant life cycle. They explore the functions and industry behind grasses before growing some of their own. Use the informational text here and consider implementing some...
Curated OER
Seed Transport
Students explore botany by completing KWL worksheets. In this seed transportation lesson, students define a list of vocabulary terms associated with botany and seedlings before completing worksheets based on assigned text. Students...
University of Wisconsin
A Rain Garden Year
Pupils become plants in an interpretive play that depicts what happens throughout the seasons in a rain garden. As you narrate, students bloom, flower, and go to seed accordingly. The lesson is first in a series of lessons written for...
Curated OER
Power to the Peanut
Students locate information about the life and research of African American botanist George Washington Carver. They identify how Carver's knowledge of botany contributed to improvement of farming practices and introduction of new...
Curated OER
How to Grow a Sunflower Plant
Students explore botany by conducting a sunflower growth experiment. In this plant life instructional activity, students identify the anatomy of a sunflower plant and the essential nutrients it requires to grow. Students utilize compost,...
Curated OER
Botanical Bookmarks
Pupils increase their comprehension of botany as they collect, identify, and classify various leaves. They observe that each leaf has its own unique color, texture, design, and pattern. Students create a pressed-leaf bookmark, accenting...
Curated OER
Plants Of Texas
Fourth graders investigate the types of plants that are found in Texas. They conduct research using a variety of resources and answer some critical thinking questions. Then students use the information to set the context for role-playing...
Curated OER
Floor Sculptures
Students explore visual arts by completing a recycling activity. In this botany science lesson, students examine the natural layout of plants in a garden environment. Students utilize wire, wood and other arts and craft materials to...
Curated OER
The Discovery of Photosynthesis
High schoolers explore how scientists discover photosynthesis. In this biology instructional activity, students identify the basic requirements for photosynthesis to happen. They recreate past scientists' experiments and record their...
Curated OER
Allelopathy Experiments
Students explore how allelopathy works in plants. In this botany lesson plan, students explain how this phenomenon affect other organisms. They read and analyze an article about allelopathy and discuss its flaws.
Curated OER
What is Science?
Students explore physical science by conducting a plant experiment. In this scientific method lesson, students discuss questions scientists ask in order to properly explore certain subjects. Students utilize two plants and place one in...
Curated OER
Crops 2: What Plants Need to Grow
Students explore agriculture by participating in a plant growth activity. In this botany lesson, students discuss what types of plants grow in their local environment and what the plants need to survive. Students read assigned text about...