Thematic Unit Plan on Plant Growth
Name of Thematic Unit: Plant life cycle
Grade levels of activity: K-3 grade
Spring is finally here! Over the next 4 weeks my
students will discover plants through a Plant Unit covering the life cycle and
parts of plants, the history of plants and their scientific and common names,
the importance that plants have the planet, the uses of plants for humans and
animals as well as how to grow a simple plant and document the progress using
the scientific method and journals. There are key ideas in this unit that
students should learn and understand by the end of the 4 weeks. Those ideas
include that plants are living organisms and share common characteristics with
all other living things. Plants have additional characteristics which distinguish
them from other organisms. Plants have the ability to manufacture food (photosynthesis);
have unlimited or almost unlimited growth; and cell walls made of cellulose
(used in making paper). Students should learn that most plants are green, have roots,
grow, have flowers, have leaves, live in soil, and drink water. As we move
through each area of the plant unit, students will be assessed on their application
and understanding of the knowledge. Let’s get started!
Learning Outcomes & Assessments for
Unit
Objective 1: Identify major structures of plants
(seeds, roots, stems, leaves)
Assessment (Knowledge application/labeling): Using
the worksheet provided, look at the plant descriptions and label all of the
parts of the plant in the picture.
Objective 2: Students demonstrate an understanding
of common plant names and their scientific name by matching the plant common
names with their scientific names
Assessment (Matching): Write the letter of the
scientific name on the line next to the common name of the plants in the left
column. Use a partner if you need help.
1.____Butterfly Milkweed A. Myosotis verna
2.____Passion Flower B.
Helianthus annuus
3.____Dandelion (common) C. Taraxacum officinale
4.____Blackeyed Susan D. Asclepias tuberosa
5.____Forget-me-not E. Ambrosia artemisiifolia
6.____Sunflower (common) F. Xanthium strumarium
7.____Queen Anne’s Lace G. Rudbeckia hirta
8.____Ragweed (common) H. Passiflora incarnata
9.____Cocklebur I.
Oenothera biennis
10.____Evening Primrose (common) J. Daucus carota
Objective 3: Students will compare the various ways
that plants grow
Assessment (Performance based/lab): Over a 5 day
period, students will plant and document the growth of a plant exposed to
different amounts of light. Some students will plant their seeds outside in
natural light and some will plant inside the classroom in artificial light. Using
your lab journals; describe your observations.
Days Exposed to Light
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Natural Light
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Artificial Light
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Monday
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Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Friday
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Restricted Response Essay Assessment: Because my
Unit plan is for K-3 Grade, the essay response will be restricted to 1 page and
content specific.
·
What are the four main things that
plants need to grow?
·
What happens when plants get too much
sun?
·
What happens when plants don’t get
enough water?
·
What things can cause a plant to not
grow at all?
Restricted
Response Essay Holistic Rubric
|
4
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EXCELLENT
|
The
student accurately lists the 4 things that plants need to grow. Explains in
detail what happens when plants get too much sun or not enough water. Argues
what things can cause a plant not to grow. Student fulfilled the 1 page
requirement with no spelling or punctuation errors.
|
|
3
|
VERY
GOOD
|
The
student lists 4 things that plants need to grow, though not accurately.
Explains what happens when plants get too much sun or not enough water,
though not in detail. Suggests what things can cause a plant not to grow. Fulfills the 1 page requirement and has some
minor spelling or punctuation errors, though not too distracting.
|
|
2
|
ADEQUATE
|
The
student attempted to list 4 things that plants need to grow but was incomplete.
Answers one part of the explanation of what happens to plants with too much
sun or not enough water but not the other. Develops some ideas what causes
plants not to grow but does not explain fully. Attempts to fulfill the 1 page
requirement but has many spelling and punctuation errors.
|
|
1
|
WEAK
|
The
student did not list 4 things that plants need to grow, but did list some.
Attempted to answer one portion of the question about water and sun but was
confusing. Confuses the reader on explanation of what causes plants not to
grow and does not fulfill the 1 page requirement. There are many punctuation
and spelling errors, further confusing the reader
|
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0
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NON
PERFORMANCE
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