Plant Parts and Function

A STEM in the Garden Unit

CORE CONCEPT: 4-LS1-1 Construct an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support
survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction.

Lesson & Core

Concepts

Supporting Activities

Standards

Introduction to Plant Parts

1. Plant Part Wrap
Introduction to Plant
Parts and Function

2. Plant lifecycle game (rock, paper,

scissors version of seed to seed)

4-LS1-1 Construct an argument that plants and animals have

internal and external structures that function to support survival,
growth, behavior, and reproduction

3. Whole class Plant Part Pageant

1. Seed open inquiry stations with
screens and water.
In the beginning
there were seeds

2. Seed Dissection and loupe

observations.
3. How to explore with a purpose.
Introduction to Inquiry

3-LS4-2 Use evidence to construct an explanation for how the

variations in characteristics among individuals of the same species
may provide advantages in surviving, finding mates, and
reproducing

Introduction to Seed dispersal

1. Seed dispersal observation stations
Here to there, seed

2. Build a seed engineering activity

K-2-ETS1-2 Develop a simple sketch, drawing, or physical model

to illustrate how the shape of an object helps it function as needed
to solve a given problem.
2-LS2-2 Develop a simple model that mimics the function of an

animal in dispersing seeds or pollinating plants.

dispersal

3-LS4-2 Use evidence to construct an explanation for how the

variations in characteristics among individuals of the same species
may provide advantages in surviving, finding mates, and
reproducing
Introduction to Inquiry Process
The Scientific Method 1. Inquiry activity
& Root Function
2. Root Function Experiment

4-LS1-1 Construct an argument that plants and animals have

internal and external structures that function to support survival,
growth, behavior, and reproduction

3. Plant Part Relay

Introduction to Roots & Function

Underground Plant
Parts

1. Look at varying root structure and how

the differ (what are the advantages and
disadvantages?)

4-LS1-1 Construct an argument that plants and animals have

internal and external structures that function to support survival,
growth, behavior, and reproduction

2. Set up root function experiment

3. Underground Plant Part hunt
4. Root tag game

3-LS4-2 Use evidence to construct an explanation for how the

variations in characteristics among individuals of the same species
may provide advantages in surviving, finding mates, and
reproducing

Introduction to Leaves and

Photosynthesis
Here Comes the sun!
Leaves and
Photosynthesis

1. Leaf observations and drawings with

microscopes
2. Photosynthesis games

2-LS2-1 Plan and conduct an investigation to determine if plants

need sunlight and water to grow.

3. Tasting different leaves & their sugars.

End: Set up the quick do plants really
breathe? experiment with upside down
lettuce in a jar of water
Review Scientific Method
Putting together the
pieces

1. Gather and record data on the plant

needs experiment
2. Break into groups of three to create
short presentations on plant parts and
function

Build a Plant

K-2-ETS1-2 Develop a simple sketch, drawing, or physical model

You can take multiple days to let students to illustrate how the shape of an object helps it function as needed
work on engineering a plant which has
to solve a given problem.
structures that mimic a plants true
4-LS1-1 Construct an argument that plants and animals have
functions
internal and external structures that function to support survival,
growth, behavior, and reproduction