Explore Kits: Plants

GRADE K-5

Grade K-2: Plant Parts and Sorting

Basic: Plants Parts – The students will identify the parts of a plant and label them as a class activity. The students will then construct their own model and discover real-life examples of plant parts they see and eat every day.
Advanced: Sorting and Classifying Leaves and Seeds – The students will use their observation skills to match leaves and seeds based on their physical characteristics. They will also become familiar with some of the physical characteristics of tree leaves and seeds.

Grade K-2: Plant Cycle

Basic: Life Cycle of a Plant – The students will be able to describe plants characteristics, explore how to grow plants, and the requirements needed for growth by growing their own flowers or vegetables. They will make and record observations as the seeds grow. They will also learn about the many uses of plants.

Advanced: Sorting and Graphing Beans – The students will sort and count beans found in a bean mixture and then will graph the data. The students will grow their own lima bean plants starting from sprouts and will record the materials used and the progress the beans growth makes over time. They will also explore the requirements for seed growth.

Grade 3-5: Photosynthesis

Basic: The students will be able to understand and explain the process of photosynthesis using a role playing activity.

Advanced: Students will observe photosynthesis and transpiration using a plant and covering the leaf with a substance that does not allow it to “breathe”.

Grade 3-5: Parts of Plants

Basic: Classification of Plants – Using plants the students gathered, they will classify the plants’ parts using a plant characteristic key. They will also press and display their plants.

Advanced: Montana Trees – The students will learn about trees found in Montana, which ones are important to the logging industry, and understand the importance of the logging industry to Montana’s economy. Using a map, the students will be able to find the location of different Montana forests.

STATE STANDARDS

Standard 3: Students through the inquiry process, demonstrate knowledge of characteristics, structures, and functions of living things, the process and diversity of life, and how living organisms interact with each other and their environment.

  1. Identify that plants and animals have structures and systems that serve different functions for growth, survival, and reproduction

  2. Identify plant and animal structures, i.e., plants: root, stem, leaf. animal: bones, skin

  3. Describe and use models that trace the life cycles of different plants and animals and discuss how they are differ from species to species

  4. Describe a plant life cycle (seed to plant to flower)

  5. Explain how organisms and systems of organisms obtain and use energy resources to maintain stable conditions.

  6. Identify plant structures involved in photosynthesis and transpiration

  7. Identify compounds involved in photosynthesis and transpiration.

  8. Explain the process of photosynthesis and transpiration in terms of key structures and compounds that are utilized,

  9. Explain the relationship between photosynthesis and transpiration

EQUIPMENT PROVIDED IN THE KIT

  • Foam Bean Plant Model

  • Foam Flower Plant

  • From Seed to Plant by Gail Gibbons

  • Tops and Bottoms by Jane Stevens

  • Leaf and Seed Game

  • 3 Spray bottles

  • 10 hand lens

  • Bags of fabric – two cotton, polyester, wool, and linen

  • Plant Cycle Magnets

  • Anno’s Magic Seeds by Mitsumasa Anno

  • Mixture of various beans

  • Small cup or scoop (dental cup)

  • Seeds Data Table labeled with the names of each bean used

  • One copy of Jack and the Beanstalk

  • One small dish containing several lima beans

  • Photosynthesis Activity Cards

  • Pine Beetle Information Disks – two wooden and ten plastic

  • Four posters – Understanding Trees

  • White heavy plastic “Native Conifers of Montana” chart

  • 3 smaller white plastic tree information charts

  • 13 maps of Montana

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