PR-6170RUK Science A STEM Approach - Primary 1

Living Things
LIVING THINGS HAVE NEEDS
Lesson 5
Lesson Plan
Introduction:
1. As a class, revise the radish growing experiment from Lesson 4. What plant did we grow? What are
the five basic needs of plants? How did we make sure the plant’s needs were met?
Development:
2. Select the radish that grew the most and the radish that grew the least. As a class, model a sentence
to compare the two radishes; for example, Pupil A’s radish is taller than Pupil B’s radish. Write the
words 'taller', 'shorter', 'bigger' and 'smaller' on the whiteboard.
3. On a piece of paper, pupils record their observations by drawing an image of their radish plant.
Pupils then write two sentences to compare the size of their radish growth to other pupils; for
example, 'My radish was taller than …' and 'My radish was shorter than …' Note: These sentence
starters may be written on the whiteboard for pupils to complete if required.
Differentiation
• Less able pupils may orally compare the size of their radish to that of other pupils and have an
adult complete the sentences.
• More able pupils should be encouraged to write a sentence about whether they think their
radish had its needs met and why.
4. In pairs, pupils tell their partner if they think their radish had its needs met or not, giving reference
to the size of the plant; for example, I think my plant did have its needs met as it grew tall and had
leaves, or I think my plant did not have its needs met because it only grew a little.
5. Using a think-pair-share, pupils answer the questions What happens to plants that don’t have their
needs met? Do they get sick?
6. Display the interactive activity Growing Plants at . Read the
instructions at the top of the interactive activity and choose individual pupils to have a go at
completing each step. The remainder of the class should be encouraged to tell the pupil when the
water level is getting too high or too low by calling out ‘more water' or 'less water’. Allow the plant
to grow weak by not providing for its needs. Discuss what the plant looks like when it doesn’t have
its needs met. What other signs tell us that plants’ needs are not being met?
Reflection:
7. As a class, discuss who is responsible for taking care of plants in different places. Who was
responsible for taking care of your radish? Who is responsible for taking care of the plants in the
garden at home, at school or in the playground?
8. What needs do all of the plants in the garden at home, at school and in the playground have and
what happens if their needs are not met?
Viewing sample
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Science:
A STEM APPROACH
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