Plant Growth Lesson Plan: Grade 2 How Plants Grow

This free classroom unit helps students understand how plants grow by acting as young scientists. Across several days, children plant seeds, observe change, record evidence, and explain what plants need to grow using drawings, speaking, and simple writing.

Overview

Students explore living things through direct observation. They examine seeds, grow plants in different conditions, and learn the basic parts of a plant: roots, stems, and leaves. The class keeps simple records of growth and uses discussion and drawing to build scientific explanations.

Subject Connections

Science is the main focus as students observe living organisms and conduct simple investigations. Math skills are used when comparing growth and sorting seeds by characteristics. English Language Arts skills appear as students describe observations orally and in short written sentences.

Learning Goals

• Identify roots, stems, and leaves as plant parts
• Explain what plants need to grow: water, light, air, and space
• Observe and describe changes over time
• Record observations using drawings and short written statements
• Compare plant growth under different conditions

Materials

• Dry bean seeds
• Clear plastic cups
• Paper towels
• Spray bottle with water
• Chart paper or whiteboard
• Crayons or colored pencils
• Hand lenses (optional)
• Celery stalk or white carnation
• Food coloring
• Carrot
• Construction paper
• Glue and scissors
• Variety of seeds for sorting

Preparation

• Soak several bean seeds overnight to soften them
• Prepare a cup with water and food coloring for absorption demonstrations
• Set aside a location with sunlight and another darker location in the room
• Prepare science journals (notebooks or stapled pages)

Teaching Procedure

Each session fits a standard class period of 45–50 minutes. Plant growth observations continue daily for approximately 2–3 weeks.

Session 1 – Exploring Seeds

1. Students examine dry seeds and share predictions about what is inside.
2. Activity: Students open a soaked bean seed, observe the inside, and draw it.
3. The teacher introduces root, stem, and leaf vocabulary.
4. Students begin their journal with a drawing and short sentence.

Session 2 – Planting and Predicting

1. The class discusses what plants need to grow.
2. Activity: Students plant seeds in cups and write predictions.
3. Students compare a seed placed in light with one in darkness.
4. Students record the planted seed in their journal.

Session 3 – Watching Growth

1. Students observe and sketch changes in their seeds.
2. The teacher explains roots absorb water.
3. Activity: Students predict what will happen to a plant in colored water.
4. Students compare growth differences.

Session 4 – How Water Moves in Plants

1. The class observes color moving through the plant.
2. Activity: Students examine a carrot cross-section and draw water movement.
3. Students create labeled plant diagrams.
4. Students explain why sunlight matters.

Session 5 – Classifying and Explaining

1. Students sort seeds by characteristics.
2. Activity: Students present their sorting rule.
3. Students draw a final plant with leaves and roots.
4. Students explain how plants grow.

Assessment

The teacher evaluates journals, drawings, and oral explanations. Students show understanding by identifying plant parts and explaining plant needs.

Differentiation

• Provide sentence starters for writers
• Allow oral explanations
• Offer labeled diagrams for visual support
• Challenge advanced students to compare growth conditions

Grade Adaptation

This lesson is designed for Grade 2 students who are ready to record observations and explain simple scientific ideas. Grade 3 students can expand the investigation by measuring growth and writing longer explanations, while younger students may focus primarily on drawing and oral discussion.

Extension Ideas

• Create a classroom garden
• Measure plant height and graph results
• Research edible plant parts
• Photograph plant stages and create a slideshow