Curated OER
Seed To Plant
Students are introduced to alternative methods of growing techniques: specifically, hydroponics. They, in groups, "adopt" a seed. They take care of their seed and make observations as it begins to germinate.
Curated OER
Soil
Second graders name the various materials that comprise soil, including weathered rock and other organic matter. They explain that soils differ in their color, texture, capacity to retain water, and ability to support the growth of many...
Curated OER
How Much Is Too Much? How Little Is Too Little?
Students perform a series of experiments which show that plants require nutrients in certain quantities. They also cooperatively read materials on the nutrient requirements of plants, fertilizers, composting, and soil management, and...
Curated OER
What Plants Need in Order to Survive and Grow: Soil
Students conduct an experiment to evaluate whether plants need soil to survive and grow. They plant two seeds, one with soil and one without, make predictions, and record and analyze the seed germination results on a worksheet.
Curated OER
Plant Reproduction
Young scholars investigate seeds and plant life by creating a germination chamber. In this botany lesson, students investigate the relationship between flowers and the fruit they produce while examining the structure of the flower. ...
Curriculum Corner
Coniferous and Deciduous Trees
What are the differences between coniferous and deciduous trees? Supplement your tree lessons with a set of activities that has learners describing, naming, comparing, and reading about deciduous and coniferous trees. The activities are...
Curated OER
The Compost Bucket
Young scholars recognize that plants and soils have a close relationship. They view a photo essay on the common practice and natural process of composting. Afterwards, they observe the process of plant decay over the course of several days.
Curated OER
Let it Grow, Let it Grow, Let it Grow
Students investigate, through a hands-on activity, in which type of soil a bean seed grows best. They create a bar graph representing each plant's growth in different soils.
Curated OER
Pea Soup Ponds
Students perform an experiment where they learn how water can be polluted by algal bloom. They grow algae with different concentrations of fertilizers or nutrients and analyze their results.
Curated OER
Where Do Your Veggies Grow?
Learners examine the different ways fruits and vegetables are grown. In this vegetable growth instructional activity students are presented with the three ways that the vegetation occurs: leaves, roots, or branches. The learners group...
Curated OER
Roots of the World
Students recognize consist stems, trunks, leaves, and roots. They compare different types of roots by observing and comparing photographs. Aterwards, they observe the growth of a lima bean plant and document changes in root and shoot...
Curated OER
Case of the Missing Pumpkin
Fourth graders explore holidays by participating in a pumpkin activity. In this vegetation lesson plan, 4th graders discuss the different uses for pumpkins, not just Halloween decorations. Students identify the nutrients pumpkins need to...
Curated OER
Designing a Germination Experiment - Part 1
Students experiment with seeds and germination. In this natural science lesson, students discuss the stages of germination. Students engage in a 4 part hands on science activity to view the process of germination.
Curated OER
Carnivorous Plants
Students examine how carnivorous plants get their nutrients from animals. In this food web lesson students examine how the plants attract their prey and are given many onilne sources to research.
Curated OER
Dirt Life
Learners select and collect soil samples from a variety of locations (schoolyard, home, etc.). They do this lab after an interest-generating discussion about "dirt" and microbes. Students make a dilution in sterile water, plate it on a...
Curated OER
DON'T TREAD ON ME
Pupils explore how the habits and practices of people affect the soil and growth of plants. They are introduced to the phrase "soil compaction." Students play the Soil Particle Game in the related activities section. They go outside and...
Curated OER
Powerful Potato
Learners are introduced to the growth process of a potato. As a class, they place a potato on a plate and observe how long it takes for the eyes to appear. In groups, they follow a recipe to make potato soup that is shared with the...
Curated OER
Eat Your Flowers
Young scholars grow flowers in different soil mediums to determine the effect on flavor. In this investigative lesson students study flowers, plant them and taste them to see how they differ in different potting soils.
Curated OER
An Investigation into Effects of Rhizobium Soil Bacteria on Nitrogen Availability
Students identify the control and the variables in the experiment. They describe the growth of plants with and without nitrogen fixing bacteria, then name the bacterium responsible for making nitrogen available to the plant.
Curated OER
What's Happening Below The Surface?
Students determine the soil composition of soil layers in their area. They collect soil samples, calculate the percentage soil water content, analyze data, and evaluate each site for future tree growth.
Curated OER
Lesson 4, Spring Migration. Milkweed Monitoring
High schoolers monitor the growth of milkweed plants. The observations are made to help make conclusions about growth and development.
Curated OER
Can Fun Gus Help Plants/Trees Grow?
Students participate in an experiment in which they test the growth of different types of plants. They discover how growth rates vary using inoculum. They draw pictures and are read books about plants to end the lesson.
Curated OER
Learning From Leaves: Adaptation Scavenger Hunt
Students participate in an adaptation scavenger hunt at. They obtain various plant specimens, and sort the plants based on whether they came from a desert, tropical rainforest, or wetlands.
National Park Service
Reduce Our Carbon Footprint, Let’s Compost!
Roll up your sleeves and get a little dirty with this elementary and middle school compost lesson. All you need is a large plastic container, a couple old newspapers, some organic waste, and a few hundred worms and you're ready to start...