• Identify plant parts such as stem, root, leaves, etc.
• Investigate the usefulness of plants.

Activity

• Create a class plant center by asking students to bring plants from home, bringing in some of your own, and by collecting plants from around the school. At this center, place some "plant" books, a microscope and some hand lenses. Have the students look at the plant parts closely. Use the information they find in the "plant" books and their student text to identify the parts of the plants.

• Have several plants designated as ones the students can uproot and take apart. Students should make a drawing of one of the plants, labeling each of its parts.

• Focus a discussion on how people get food from plants, the parts of plants that are eaten, etc.

Assessment Tips from Old Tom the Turtle

• As children are completing their drawing, use this time for 1 to 1 mini conferences. Engage individual children in conversation about their work, e.g., what can you tell me about this part of your plant? Record your observations, date, and file.