Title – Watch It Grow
By – Leisa Mease
Primary Subject – Science
Secondary Subjects – Art, Language Arts
Grade Level – 1

Concept / Topic To Teach:

Science and Writing

General Goal(s):

Competency Goal 1: The learner will conduct investigations and make observations to build an understanding of the needs of living organisms

Specific North Carolina Objectives:

Science:
1.01 Investigate the needs of a variety of different plants:
• Air
• Water
• Light
• Space

1.03 Observe the ways in which humans are similar to other organisms.

1.04 Identify local environments that support the needs of common North Carolina plants and animals.

1.05 Discuss the wide variety of living things on Earth.

Language Arts – Writing:
1.01 – 1.05
• Organizing and relating ideas when writing
• Proofing and editing
• Synthesizing information from several sources
• Documenting sources

Required Materials:

• Ziplock baggies (1/child)
• Wet paper towels
• Dried beans
• Tape
• Marker
• How They Have Grown science journals
• Pencils
• Milk cartons
• Potting soil
• The Tiny Seed by Eric Carl

Anticipatory Set (Lead-In):

• Read The Tiny Seed by Eric Carl.
• Discuss as a whole group what they already know about plants.

Step-By-Step Student Procedures:

• Write name on baggie with marker
• Place wet paper towel in the baggie
• Place dried bean between the paper towel and the outside of the baggie
• Seal baggie
• Tape baggie to window or wall close to windows
• No need to add extra water until transferred to milk cartons
• As plants grow, students will observe and draw the changes in their bean every two days
• Draw picture of changing plant and write a sentence or two about what you have observed and what you predict will happen by the next time you observe your plant
• As seeds develop, students will then plant their seedlings in their milk carton filled with potting soil
• Place in window sills for needed sunlight
• Observations and journaling continue for 4 weeks – watering them on their observation day

Closure:

• Discuss how people and plants are the same/different.
• Discuss what else has these same needs or differences.
• Take plants home to continue to grow and observe.
• Take a field trip to a local botanical garden such as the NC Arboretum in Asheville, NC.

Assessment Based On Objectives:

Students make accurate observations of their plants and record in their science journal using pictures and complete sentences.

Adaptations:

LD students only draw a picture of how their plant has changed and possibly one word or sentence about what is different.

Extensions:

GT students write several sentences describing their plant using descriptive words and details.

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