Students observe each stage in the life cycle of a simple plant. Working with Wisconsin Fast Plants® (Brassica rapa), which germinate, mature, and go to seed within a 40-day period, students plant seeds and watch the seedlings emerge. Later, they thin and transplant seedlings. As they watch their plants grow, students learn that plants need nutrients from the soil, as well as water and light, to thrive. As the unit expands to focus on the interdependence of living things, students cross-pollinate the flowers with dried honeybees. Finally, they harvest mature seeds and determine seed yields. These experiences deepen students' understanding of the characteristics of living organisms and their relationship with and dependence on their environment.
Trainer Tips:
- To keep plants from drying out, keep the water tank full of water. The lower the water in the tank, the harder it is for the capillary action to take place.
- Also, I've found that when I set the tank up, I take the mat to the sink. Wash it under warm running water, letting it get soaking wet and wringing it out a number of times. Then I put it wringing wet on the tank cover. The warm water helps rinse out any sizing that may remain in the fabric that can prevent the wicking action.
- I also place a box or piece of cardboard covered in foil behind the tanks and parallel with the light, to increase the light intensity. This also helps keep the plants warmer in a cold room.
- If your room gets real cold at night or over the weekend, you can put a foil box in front of the tank also, creating a small light box effect. Again, it will block drafts and keep them warmer. Also helps if you don't have much natural light in your room to help with the growing.
- Make sure nothing is touching or leaning on the light!!
- I take a dropper and squirt the plants from the top as well before I leave for the weekend to make sure they stay watered.
- A few suggestions about Plant Activities for the first days of school that are easy and may get them excited about science, and let you get an idea about who can follow directions, take part in discussions, etc.
1) Try a plant party – bring in veggies and dip and discuss the parts of the plant they are eating. Ok as an extension
2) Bring in tree samples and have them work in pairs to key out some local trees.
3) Where does it come from? A plant guessing game where they try to guess where the "plant" is in a common object (like their t-shirt, Oreos, or a few classroom objects like pencils, paper, etc.)
4) Start terrariums
Time-lapse movies of germination and various flowers opening
Additional Photos
Parent Letter - English
Parent Letter - Spanish
Plant Growth & Development Storyline (pdf)
Literacy / Book Lists
Teacher Recommended Resources
Recommended Websites
Unit Certificate
Acknowledge your student's accomplishment in completing this unit with our completion certificate
. We hope they enjoyed learning about science through The Einstein Project's hands-on approach!
Sponsorship Opportunity
Sponsor the Plant Growth & Development unit! Please contact Lori Kaufman, development director, about this and other sponsorship opportunities. You can reach her at 920-884-8800 or lori@einsteinproject.org.
What are people saying about the Plant Growth and Development Einstein science unit?
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--Patricia Knabenbauer, Grade 3 teacher at Doty Elementary School, Green Bay, Wisconsin
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--Sue Brandtjen, Grade 3 teacher at Nicolet Elementary School, Green Bay, Wisconsin
