PR-0553UK Primary Science - Book 3

Plants and sunlight
Plant and animal life ~ Activity 11
Objective
• investigate the factors that affect
plant growth
Working scientifically
• Questioning
• Observing
• Predicting
• Investigating and experimenting
• Estimating and measuring
• Analysing (interpreting)
• Recording and communicating
Background information
Sunlight plays a large role in our
daily lives, giving us light, warmth
and enabling the plants we obtain
food from to grow. Plants do this
by a process called photosynthesis.
Photosynthesis comes from two
words photo (light) and synthesis
(making something). It means using
light to make food.
Photosynthesis takes place in the
green leaves. The leaves contain
chlorophyll which uses light to
change carbon dioxide gas and
water into food and oxygen for the
plant. This can only take place during
the day and if the plant receives
sufficient sunlight.
Before the lesson
Materials needed
• For each group: three jars (medium size), potting mix, seeds (suggest bean,
pea or pumpkin, but any vegetable seeds will do), cube-shaped tissue box with
the bottom cut out, water.
Preparation
• Complete the first part of the lesson a week or two before the rest. The seeds
could be planted and other lessons presented while the seeds are sprouting.
• Discuss photosynthesis and the process involved in simple terms. (Refer to the
Background information).
• Divide the class into groups and distribute the materials. Set up the materials
needed to plant the seeds. Pupils plant the seeds, water and store them – one
in the sun (Light), one in a cupboard (Dark) and one in the tissue box on a shelf
(Some light).
• Pupils record the planting date on their charts and predict the time required
for the plants to sprout. The lesson can now be left until the seeds sprout.
The lesson
Stimulus
• Collect and examine some leaves from the school grounds. Use them to make
some leaf rubbings.
What to do
• Pupils commence recording from when the plants sprout.
• Pupils continue recording each week for four weeks.
• Pupils use the collected data to complete their findings. Discuss the plants’ need
for sunlight and the fact that plants will grow towards a light source.
After the lesson
Answers
• Teacher check. (The plant in the sun will develop normally; the plant in the
cupboard will grow quickly and be yellow; the plant in the box will grow out
of the hole and towards the light).
Viewing Sample
Additional activities
• Begin planting a vegetable garden.
• Have pupils prepare a talk about the experiment, using the plants as aids.
• Graph the leaf lengths.
Display ideas
• Pupils could write labels for each plant with a statement about the effect sunlight
had on each plant.
42 PRIMARY SCIENCE ~ Prim-Ed Publishing ~ www.prim-ed.com