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Are plants alive?

Are plants alive?
Lesson narration:
English Spanish
Scroll for prep
Video trouble?

DISCUSS:

What do we do to take care of pets?

Why do we do those things?

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DISCUSS:

How do animals TELL or SHOW you what they need?

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DISCUSS:

Do plants have needs?

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Step
01/15
Let’s observe some plants together.
Discuss.
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Step
02/15
Watch what happens to this plant after we give it some water. What
do you notice? What are the leaves doing?
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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Step
07/15
Discuss.
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Step
08/15
Watch what happens to this plant near a window with lots of bright
sunlight. What do you notice?
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Step
09/15
Watch closely to see what happens when we change the direction of
the sunlight. What do you notice?
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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.
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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!
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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!
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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.

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

living


1 of 8

something that is alive; it grows and has needs
Slide Image

nonliving


2 of 8

anything that is not alive, it does not have needs
Slide Image

plant


3 of 8

a living thing that doesn't need to eat other living things
Slide Image

leaf


4 of 8

a part of a plant that is often flat and green
Slide Image

needs


5 of 8

things an animal or plant must have in order to live
Slide Image

sunlight


6 of 8

light from the Sun
Slide Image

healthy


7 of 8

not sick or injured
Slide Image

observe


8 of 8

to pay close attention to something

Featured Reviews

“We loved the lesson, physical involvement, and vocabulary review at the end!”
· Krista · Homeschooler
“The interactive plant activity is wonderful. Kindergartenenrs need to move their bodies and this lesson did just that. Also the videos are phenominal.”
· Emmi · Teacher
“My Kindergarten students loved the interactive components of this lesson! Pretending to be a plant, getting watered and following the sun was such a great added component to enhance the learning. ”
· Jenna · Teacher
“The kids loved it! They especially loved the movement that the lesson provided as they demonstrated the droopy plant and the watered plant. They BEG for Mystery Science every week!! Thank you for being educational and engaging!! ”
· Debbie · Teacher
“It was great how you connected plant needs to the needs of animals. I could see that there were several who didn't think that plants were alive. You really got them thinking. They loved the activities at the end.”
· Jill · Teacher
“Love the inclusion of student movement!”
· Jolene · Teacher
Lesson narration:
English Spanish

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

I have a Mystery Pack

Sun for Sunlight Game printout
You can print either the black & white version or the color version. 		1 per class
Prep Instructions

Students can work on their own.

Make Sure Students Have Enough Space

Students can either sit or stand for the movement activities. Make sure to plan space accordingly.

Be the Sunlight

In one of the movement activities, we suggest that the teacher pretends to be the sunlight. You can use the Sun printout provided, a lamp, or anything else you'd like to use as a model for sunlight!

Exploration

8 mins

Hands-On Activity

30 mins

Wrap-Up

4 mins

Extend this lesson

Vocabulary

Vocabulary

Student slideshow: English | Spanish

Teacher printout: English & Spanish

Mini-lessons

Mini-lessons

You can elaborate student learning and engagement with Mystery Science mini-lessons.

If you are in an NGSS state, this mini-lesson supports the DCI LS1.C: Organization for Matter and Energy Flow in Organisms

Transcripts

Credits
 
Plant Needs Tx Lesson 1: Are plants alive?

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