Prep Time:    10 minutes    Lesson Time: 45 minutes to an hour   Age:

Areas of study: art, science

Summary

Background/objectives:

Marsh plants have a number of qualities that are common to all plants – terrestrial and aquatic. Plants are different from animals in a number of ways, but perhaps the biggest difference is that they cannot move to catch their food. To overcome this challenge, they absorb sunlight to produce their own energy. One of the things plants need is therefore is light. They also need air and water.

The anatomy of a plant allows it to utilize the three things plants need to their utmost potential. The root structure soaks up water and minerals and also stores food, or glucose (sugar). The stem carries up the water, minerals, and food. The leaves make food. Chlorophyll, what causes plants to have their green color, aids in the process of making food. The flower part of the plant makes seeds for reproduction. Seeds are the means by which plants reproduce. They are almost like a young plant, or embryo, with a food source and a hard outer coat. The last part of a plant is the fruit. That is the part that holds and protects food .

Preparation: Buy all of the materials necessary for the activity.

Materials:

seeds, dirt, pots, paint, paintbrushes

Procedure:

1. Paint the pots

2. Let pots dry for at least an hour

3. Put dirt and seeds in the pots. while the class is planting, discuss with them what plants need to grow and ask them if they’ve ever planted anything before. This is also a good time to use a worksheet or talk about plant anatomy.

Assessment

Tips and Tricks:

How to implement for…

PreK-2: Don’t mention “photosynthesis”; keep it simple with the sun, water, air etc.

3-4: They’re old enough to understand photosynthesis and why plants are good for the air

5-6: You can probably get into plant anatomy and potentially some more complex anatomy, like chloroplasts

Resources: