Do great gardeners really have green thumbs—or just really great soil? Environmental scholars discover what makes Earth's soil and soil quality so important through research and experimentation. Learners also develop an understanding of...

Students collect seeds from field plants as part of understanding seed dispersal.

Students using scientific inquiry will observe and record in daily journals their findings on cotton seeds. They measure, graph, and then communicate their discoveries about plants to each other.

Seventh graders design four biomes models and plant three types of seeds in them to observe growth. In groups for each type of biome, they predict the seeds' growth in each of the settings. Students follow the conditions on a biome chart...

Students experiment to determine the best watering schedule to use when growing grass. In this grass watering lesson, students examine rye grass seeds and discuss the role roots play in keeping grass healthy. They grow rye grass in clear...

Students get involved in growing veggies so they may start eating them more!

Students discover how to plan a vegetable garden. Each student take responsibility for growing one vegetable from seed, to transplanting the seedling into the soil, and providing the plant with light, moisture, temperature and healthy soil.

Students explore the concept of biomass. In this plant lesson, students conduct a scientific investigation that requires them to observe plant growth and biomass.

Science is a subject ripe with opportunities to read informational text. Kids read to learn about peanuts! They read an informational passage, fill out two comprehension worksheets, and then conduct a lab experiment on a peanut. The...

Fifth graders study the parts of a plant, their life cycles, and how to care for them in this unit.

Students view a display of empty food containers (or illustrations). They select a food and decide as a class if it has an animal or plant origin. Students view a display of common farm animals that are commonly eaten (cow, pig, chicken,...

Students understand that a three sisters garden is comprised of corn, beans and squash. In this three sisters garden lesson, students understand that Native Americans planted three sisters gardens and grow a three sisters garden....

Students investigate agriculture by reading a book.  In this plant life lesson, students read the book Growing Vegetable Soup by Louis Ehlert, and examine the ingredients used in the book's soup.  Students create an...

Learners observe and measure plant growth. In this life science lesson, students are introduced to bean and Nasturtium seedlings which they will measure and watch the beans climb (grow tall) while the Nasturtium crawl along the ground....

First graders discover the anatomy of a plant by labeling a picture.  In this botany lesson, 1st graders examine and dissect several real plants in class and define their different parts.  Students utilize the Internet to view...

First graders listen as the book, "Tops and Bottoms," by Janet Stevens is read to them and then participate in a discussion about foods and where they grow. They draw a picture of a plant labeling the major parts of it sequential order.

Students learn the various parts of a farm and what is grown on a farm. They also match fruits and vegetables to locations where they are grown.

Third graders make books which illustrate the growth and development of a saguaro cactus from its beginnings as a seed all the way through its death. They trace the life cycle of the saguaro, identify each of the stages in its life,...

Students examine sunflowers and discuss the importance of sunflower cooking oil and seeds. They view pictures, read books, sing sunflower songs, and grow flowers from sunflower seeds.

Learners role play as text book creators by designing an animation showing plant growth from seed to maturity. They incorporate things that plants need to grow in the animation.

Learners explore the relationship between plant roots and the soil in which they grow. They examine photos of uprooted trees and desert areas and conduct experiments designed to highlight this mutual relationship between roots and soil....

Students investigate the parts of a flower. In this earth science lesson plan, students read the book The Magic School Bus Plants Seeds and identify various plant parts. Students construct a model of a flowering plant from various art...

Young scholars identify and label parts of a plant. They will construct a plant from art material and describe the purpose of each part for the plants survival. Students author a book with pictures and words or a story about a plant.

Students discover how seed germination varies according to the soil type. In this soil science instructional activity, students discuss what plants need in order to grow and investigate various types of soil. Students use their senses to...