Learning Activity Plan for PreK-Grade 2

Teacher Candidate Sarah Wagner

Date/Time of Scheduled
Visit
Name/Address of School
Age/Grade level Kindergarten
Cooperating Teacher Classroom Number

Name of Lesson How Plants Grow

Content Science: Students will learn about the scientific method and participate in the
area(s)/developmental beginning of an experiment.
domain(s) addressed English Language Arts: Students will write about their hypothesis for how long it
will take for the plant to spout and how big it will get.
Brief description of the The teacher will play a time lapse video of a plant sprouting and prompt the
lesson students to use vocabulary from previous classes. The class then reads From
Seed to Plant by Gail Gibbons and discusses what plants need and how to plant
a seed. Students then work independently or in pairs to plant their own seed.
They then will hypothesize what will happen with their plants. As a group we
share the students hypotheses and discuss any additional questions that come
up.
This lesson is: A new concept/activity A continuation of a previous lesson/activity

This lesson will improve recall of previously learned material about plants and
expand their knowledge about the scientific method in relation to plants.
Rationale Students will participate in the beginning steps of an experiment and learn how
to formulate a hypothesis. Students will be given time to apply their new
knowledge and express it through verbal and written means.
35 minutes
Timeframe
 Learning Activity Plan for PreK-Grade 2

Objective(s) of the Students will learn about and apply the scientific method to planting lima beans.
activity Students will collaborate and participate in small groups with peers to form
shared ideas.
Students will make hypotheses and clearly convey their ideas to the teacher and
peers.
Connections to CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.K.10
standards Actively engage in group reading activities with purpose and understanding.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.5
Add drawings or other visual displays to descriptions as desired to provide
additional detail.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.6
Speak audibly and express thoughts, feelings, and ideas clearly.
Language Objectives Students will review words related to plants and their growth. Students will also
be introduced to vocabulary pertaining to the scientific method such as
hypothesis, data, and observations. They will be able to accurately use some of
the words orally and/or in writing.
Students will be able to clearly state their ideas about their plant, and their
hypothesis of how long it will take to grow.

Resources/materials Chart paper

needed: Markers
(Include any worksheets or From Seed to Plant by Gail Gibbons
sources of evidence for Large plastic cups
childrens learning you will Lima beans
use during the activity) Soil
Water
Smart board or projector
Technology inclusion (if A short video on YouTube of a lima bean sprouting over 6 days
applicable)
 Learning Activity Plan for PreK-Grade 2

Procedures (step by Anticipatory Set

step) The teacher will play a time lapse video of a lima bean growing and explain that
the video spans 6 days and allows us to gain an understanding of how a lima
bean grows. Such a video can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=iZMjBO6A7AE. At 15 seconds ask the students what they think will happen.
Let them know they just made a hypothesis: a prediction of what will happen in
the future. As the video plays the teacher will pause at certain points and ask
questions such as: what is being planted in the soil? What do we call it when the
plant comes out of the soil? What are the pieces of the plant that grow further
down? Eliciting previously learned vocabulary words: seed, sprout, roots.
Instruction/Mini Lesson
The teacher will read From Seed to Plant by Gail Gibbons which discusses how
seeds are formed and grow into plants. The teacher will ask the students what
they learned about plants. As a class we discuss the process of planting a seed
as outlined in the book. We then create a large chart dictating everything a seed
needs to grow: water, sun, air, and soil. Four students will come up and each
draws one image next to each word as a visual reminder. We then talk about the
steps of the scientific method: generating a hypothesis, experimentation/testing
a hypothesis, observation and drawing a conclusion. We then discuss starting
our experiment by the steps to plant a seed: fill the cup almost to the top with
dirt, push four seeds in, water, and place on the window sill. There will be a list
and visual representation on the board. Students break into pairs and plant their
seeds.
Independent Practice
After planting, students can work independently or in pairs. They will discuss
what they know about plants and write and/or draw their hypothesis of their
plant. Some prompting questions are: how big will the plant get? How many
seeds will sprout? How tall will the plant get? How much water will help it grow
faster? Is there a better spot to put the plant than the window sill?
 Learning Activity Plan for PreK-Grade 2

Closure
Students will reconvene as a class and share their hypothesis. Students can ask
additional questions that we try to solve as a class.

Method of assessing Pre-assessment Assessment of Student Assessment of

childrens During the time lapse Learning Childrens Language
understanding of video of the lima bean During the discussion after Learning
lesson/activity/objective sprouting the teacher will reading the book the The teacher will have a
(s) ask questions eliciting teacher will assess and sheet of paper with the
(Be sure to include any vocabulary words. When make note of students childs name in the
tools, rubrics/checklists one student answers, the comprehension based on leftmost column and
and/or worksheets you will teacher will ask students their answers of what they the vocabulary in the
use for assessment(s) to raise their hands if learned. top row. The teacher
they agree. The teacher will assess and will check off in black
The teacher will make note the students ability to ink for vocabulary used
note of who got follow steps as they plant in circle time, blue ink
vocabulary words correct their seeds. for vocabulary with
and incorrect. The teacher will assess and peers, and red ink for
note their ability to clearly vocabulary used in
convey their ideas by their writing.
looking at their writing The teacher will make
and/or listening to their note during sharing
hypotheses during the time of students who
closure of the lesson. communicate clearly
on their first try,
students who need
some prompting for
clarity, and students
who are unable to
clearly convey their
 Learning Activity Plan for PreK-Grade 2

ideas.

Plans for differentiated Supporting children Supporting English Language Learners

instruction/instructional with identified delays Key terms will be translated and learned in the
modifications or disabilities students native language.
Students who cannot sit The book will be translated in the students native
still on the rug can use a language with the help of the community.
stool or seat. The steps for planting a seed will be translated into
Students who have the students native language.
trouble following multi When hypothesizing the height of the plant students
step directions will be may use imperial system or metric system.
paired with students who
are good at it and can
scaffold for their Supporting gifted students
classmate. Students who finish planting and hypothesizing can
Students may dictate to offer scaffolding help to other students.
the teacher. Students who wrote about their hypothesis can
Students will have illustrate it.
different sized writing Students can also write any observations they
utensils to accommodate already noted in preparing the experiment (such as:
for hand strength. some people use more dirt, some people plant their
The teacher will offer seed deeper etc.)
additional assistance as
needed.
Follow up/Extension Throughout the next two weeks students will care for their plants using a daily
activities checklist. They will also record growth (using a ruler) and make observations in
their science journal. After two weeks this will culminate in making a book of
their experience.
Any additional
information that would
 Learning Activity Plan for PreK-Grade 2

be helpful for the

observer to know

Observer feedback on the lesson plan, including commendations and recommendations for improving aspects
of the learning activity