ED 345 Calvin College Lesson Planning Form

Teacher: Julia Lee Date: Subject/ Topic/ Theme: Science- Plants

I. Objectives
What is the main focus of this lesson?
To learn about the components of soil and the job of roots.
How does this lesson tie in to a unit plan? (If applicable.)
In this lesson they will learn that one of the job of roots is to suck up water for the plant. This is connected to the photosynthesis
lesson they will learn in the next lesson.
What are your objectives for this lesson? (As many as needed.) Indicate connections to applicable national or state standards.
If an objective applies to only certain students write the name(s) of the student(s) to whom it applies.

MI.OL.2.14 Identify the needs of plants.

Students will be able to:

- Describe the components of the soil
- Describe the job of roots in soil
- Explain the importance of roots in plant survival

II. Before you start

Prerequisite knowledge and skills.
They may already know that roots are located in the soil (under the ground).

Assessment Formative assessment: ask questions throughout the lesson.

(formative and summative) Summative assessment: exit ticket (quick quiz with two questions on the components of soil
and the job of roots).

Universal Design for Learning Networks/Domains (see UDL Guidelines)

RECOGNITION
Multiple Means of Representation
Options for Perception
Visual and auditory perception. Students
will see the PowerPoint and the video, as
well as hear me giving instructions.
Options for Language/Symbols
STRATEGIC
Multiple Means of Expression (Action)
Options for action/interaction
Options for Expression
Students will be writing their answers on
the whiteboard, as well as
sharing/discussing their answers with their
groupmates.
AFFECTIVE
Multiple Means of Engagement
Options for recruiting interest
Looking at seeds sprouting and trying to
note the changes will help to recruit their
interest.
Options for Sustaining Effort &
Persistence

Options for Comprehension Options for Executive Function Options for Self-Regulation

- ‘Roots’ PowerPoint
- Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zymVaS12e4Y
Materials-what materials (books,
- Whiteboards and markers for each student
handouts, etc) do you need for this
- Elmo projector
lesson and do you have them?
- Plant without root (from lesson 2)
- Exit ticket: ‘Root and Soil’
Do you need to set up your No special arrangement needed, students may stay seated in their groups.
classroom in any special way for
this lesson? If so, describe it.

III. The Plan

Time The description of (script for) the lesson, wherein you describe teacher activities and student
Parts
activities
Motivation
5 (Opening/
- At least some of the seeds should have sprouted by now. Take one of the baggies that contains
minutes Introduction/
Engagement) seeds with roots, show it on Elmo and ask students to discuss in groups what changes they see.

- Tell students, “Each part of plant has a special function to help the plant live. Since our
sunflower seeds have grown roots, we will talk about roots today.”

Development
- Show ‘Roots’ PowerPoint, which has pictures of plants with their roots shown. Have students
10
minutes identify where the roots are located. “What do you notice about the roots of plants? Where are
they located?” Expected answer is, “Under the ground.”

- Introduce the word ‘soil’. “The roots are found in the soil.”

- Tell students, “We will watch a video that tells us more about what soil is and what is in the
soil. I will pause the video from time to time and ask questions, so you need to be paying
15 attention to the video!”
minutes
- Show the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zymVaS12e4Y (stop at 5:10).

- Pause the video whenever its components are introduced. Have them write down on their
whiteboards what is contained in soil (soil contains minerals, humus (nutrient), air, and water).

- After finishing the video, bring the class back together and ask, “What are 4 things that are in
the soil?” Make sure everyone has the four components written on their whiteboards. Ask them
to hold up their whiteboards.

- Review that living things need water, air and nutrients. Ask, “How does water, air, and
nutrients get into the plant?” Expected answer: “The roots take them up to the plant from the
soil.”

- Show the plant without root from Lesson 2. Observe that it died.

- Ask, “What do you think is the job of roots in soil?” They take up the water, air, and nutrients
out of the soil and into the plant.

- Make sure students realize the plant is NOT eating the dirt. Dirt is NOT the plant’s food.
5 Closure - Hand out the ‘Root and Soil’ quiz.
minutes
- Give about 5 minutes to complete the quiz. Students who finish early may do read to self.
Your reflection on the lesson including ideas for improvement for next time: