National First Ladies' Library
How Do Flowers Get Their Names?
Students study Carolus Linnaeus and his classification system of plants. They examine the origin of both both common and scientific names of flowers. They speculate how their favorite flowers came to be named and brainstorm about the...
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Mendel Pea Plants
In this Mendelian genetics learning exercise, students answer a variety of questions about Mendel's experiments and discoveries and they practice determining probability of outcomes in pea plants.
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The Empty Pot: A Lesson About Integrity
Learners discuss whether honesty really is the best policy with a lesson on "The Empty Pot," a Chinese fable about integrity. After reading the story, class members answer several comprehension and reflection questions about what they...
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Floor Sculptures
Students explore visual arts by completing a recycling activity. For 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...
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Responses to Changes in the Environment
Fourth graders study ecosystems, and see how plants and animals must adapt to changes in their environment in order to survive. Pictures of the snow shoe hare in the winter and summer are shown. Learners determine that the change in...
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Pollination Station
Young scholars investigate why and how bees pollinate flowers and other plants. They define pollination, and read and sing along with the song "Yo, i'm a Flower." Students examine a diagram of a flower, simulate bees pollinating...
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Insects Around Us
Students fill out worksheets about insects and how they are helpful to our world. For this insects lesson plan, students learn about flower parts and insects that pollinate them.
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Edible Plants
Students determine what part of a plant they are eating when they eat different fruits and vegetables.
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Plant Lifecycles
Students examine the life cycle of plants. In this plants lesson, students identify the various stages of plants and their parts. Students compare the life cycle of a plant with that of an animal. Activities suggested can be modified for...
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Food, Food, And More Food From Plants!
Students examine the edible parts of a plant and explore their function. They define what makes a fruit classified as a fruit. They create a sketch or map or photo of a 1930s farm and justify their plant selections.
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Plant Parts We Eat
I bet the kids in your class will love to eat their vegetables after an engaging lesson about edible plants. They read information about vegetables and edible plants, sort vocabulary words, identify plant parts, measure and graph the...
Cornell University
Garden Math
Young scientists must put their math caps on and figure out what fraction of each flower is in a raised flower bed. They must problem solve to simplify the fractions, and then graph the amount of flowers that are in different flower beds.
Rainforest Alliance
My Forest or the Rainforest?
The differences between tropical and temperate rainforests range from animals and flowers to climate and landscapes. Kindergarteners compare and contrast characteristics of their local forest to a tropical rainforest.
Chicago Botanic Garden
Seasons of a Plant
The third in a series of six lessons is an engaging three-part activity defines that discusses phenology, focusing on the cyclic seasons of plants. Pupils then observe phenology outside before determining how climate change can...
American Museum of Natural History
What's This? Reproduction
Attracting the right mate is as important for humans as any other species. An interesting lesson teaches individuals about several strategies that animals and plants have adapted to attract their mates. From colorful nests to powerful...
Berkshire Museum
Adopt a Schoolyard Tree
Help young scientists connect with nature and learn about trees with a fun life science lesson. Heading out into the school yard, children choose a tree to adopt, taking measurements, writing descriptions, and drawing sketches of it in...
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Preserving Buds and Blooms
Learners learn how to preserve flower buds and blooms. In this gardening lesson, students explore the methods of air drying, using drying agents, and pressing plants to preserve them.
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A Pressing Project
Students create a collection of pressed plants. In this plant lesson, students use newspaper, plywood, and a rubberband to press plants they previously collected.
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Prairie Scavenger Hunt
Here is a simple lesson for young learners on the plants, animals, and flowers found in the prairie environment. There are worksheets embedded in the plan that pupils use once a teacher-led discussion and demonstration has taken place....
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Will It Grow?
Fifth graders conduct experiments involving plants. In this science lesson, 5th graders design an experiment involving plants. Students use the scientific method to design their experiments.
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Making Pretzels
Students explore how people use plants for food. They use pretzels to see how wheat can be turned into food.
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Pollination
Third graders discuss pollination and how bees pollinate flowers. In this pollination lesson plan, 3rd graders draw the pollination process on a piece of paper.
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How Does Your Garden Grow?
Students identify what plants need to grow. In this plant biology instructional activity, students analyze the differences between an artificial plant and a live plant. Students plant seeds and discuss what plants need to grow. Students...
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Plant Science Activities
Learners complete several plant life activities. For this botany lesson, students practice painting images that resemble plants they are familiar with as well as planting seeds outside of class. Learners participate in a dramatic...