Open-and-go lessons that inspire kids to love science.

Sign up now for tons of free lessons like this one!

Back > Share
Are plants alive?
Plant Secrets Unit | Lesson 1 of 3

Are plants alive?

Plant Secrets Unit | Lesson 1 of 3
Lesson narration:
Scroll for prep
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen

DISCUSS:

What do we do to take care of pets?

Why do we do those things?

Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen

DISCUSS:

How do animals TELL or SHOW you what they need?

Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen

DISCUSS:

Do plants have needs?

Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Step
01/15
Let’s observe some plants together.
Discuss.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Step
02/15
Watch what happens to this plant after we give it some water. What
do you notice? What are the leaves doing?
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Step
03/15
Find a space where you can pretend to be a plant.
You can stay seated or find a spot to stand and stretch.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Step
04/15
Now it’s your turn to pretend to be a plant!
Imagine you are a thirsty plant.
Then, imagine that you get some water.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Step
05/15
Watch to see how the game is played. You’ll pretend to be a plant
that only gets a few drops of water at a time. Get ready to play the
game in the next step!
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Step
06/15
Pretend to be a plant! Watch for the watering can.
As you get more and more water, you’ll become a healthier plant.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Step
07/15
Discuss.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Step
08/15
Watch what happens to this plant near a window with lots of bright
sunlight. What do you notice?
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Step
09/15
Watch closely to see what happens when we change the direction of
the sunlight. What do you notice?
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Step
10/15
Find a space where you can pretend to be a plant.
You can stay seated or find a spot to stand and stretch.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Step
11/15
Now it’s your turn to pretend to be a plant! Imagine that you are a
plant with leaves reaching toward the sunlight. Follow the sunlight!
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Step
12/15
Pretend you’re a plant again! But this time, imagine that your teacher
is the sunlight. Imagine that you move your leaves toward the
sunlight!
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen

Teachers, get ready to be the sunlight!

Walk around the classroom and guide your students to follow the sunlight (you!), just like a plant would!

Whenever you're done, go to the next slide.

Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Step
13/15
Observe what happens to plants grown in the sunlight and plants
grown in the dark. Discuss.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Step
14/15
Discuss.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Step
15/15
Animals have needs. That’s one way we know that animals are alive.
If something is alive, it has needs. Discuss.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image

living


1 of 8

something that is alive; it grows and has needs
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image

nonliving


2 of 8

anything that is not alive, it does not have needs
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image

plant


3 of 8

a living thing that doesn't need to eat other living things
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image

leaf


4 of 8

a part of a plant that is often flat and green
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image

needs


5 of 8

things an animal or plant must have in order to live
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image

sunlight


6 of 8

light from the Sun
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image

healthy


7 of 8

not sick or injured
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Slide Image

observe


8 of 8

to pay close attention to something
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
🎉 That’s it for this lesson! How did it go?
Sign up now for more great lessons!
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Lesson narration:

Grade K

Plant Needs

Living & Nonliving

K-LS1-1

Activity Prep

Print Prep
In this lesson, students make observations of plants in order to identify their needs and that they are, in fact, living things. In the activity, Plant Dance, students engage in a kinesthetic activity in which they observe and then model the appearance of plants when their needs are and aren’t met.
Preview activity

Exploration

8 mins

Wrap-Up

4 mins

Grade K

Plant Needs

Living & Nonliving

K-LS1-1

Slow internet or video problems?