Developed By: Jodi Herold

Kennedy Elementary School

Keizer, Oregon

Title: What do Plants Need to Survive?

Academic
Subject: Life Science

Theme: Identifying the natural resources necessary for plant growth

Grades: 2-3

CIM/CAM Standards:

1. Common Curriculum Goals: Understand the characteristics, structure, and functions of

organisms.

2. Describe the characteristics, structure, and functions of organisms.

3. Describe the basic needs of living things.

Learner Objectives:

1. The student will be able to identify the natural resources necessary for plant growth

Vocabulary:

• Sunlight: light that shines on the leaves to make food for the plant

• Soil: The loose surface material of the earth in which plants grow. It keeps water and
minerals near the plant’s root and holds the plants in place in the ground

• Water: Liquid that moves the food from the roots to the stem. Without it, plants would
turn brown and die.

• Air: Gas that is cleaned for us by plants. It gives plants the carbon dioxide they need to
live

Anticipatory Set:

Inform students that they will be learning about what plants need to survive and completing their
own experiments in growing plants. Have students share what they know about growing plants,
including experiences in flower or vegetable gardening.
Lesson:

Make Two-Column Chart

1. Make two columns on a large piece of butcher paper. Label one column “What I need to
live” and the other “What plants need to live”.

2. Ask students to share what they need to live. Write down their ideas. Ideas should
include water, food, house (shelter), air, love, etc. Be sure to that the first four are written
on the butcher paper.

3. Explain that plants need things to survive too. Explain that they will become scientists
and find out what plants need to grow.
Experiment:

4. Have pairs, have students complete one of the following experiments. (Experiment will
need to take place over 14 days). Students will record their findings every three days on
the data observation sheet.

Materials Needed
9 Rooted stem cuttings 9 Light Source
9 Potting Soil 9 Brown Paper bags
9 Pot or plastic containers 9 Airtight clear bags
9 Water 9 Data observation sheets

Experiment #A (Contains all variables)

1. Place rooted stem cutting and potting soil in a pot or plastic

container
2. Place container near a light source
3. Water plant every 5 days
4. Record your observations every three days

Experiment #B (Plant without potting soil)

1. Place rooted stem cutting in a pot or plastic container

2. Place container near a light source
3. Water plant every 5 days
4. Record your observations every three days

Experiment #C (Plant without light)

1. Place rooted stem cutting and potting soil in a pot or plastic

container
2. Place container in a brown paper bag folding the top
3. Water plant every 5 days. Return plant to brown paper bag and
fold the bag’s top
4. Record your observations every three days

Experiment #D (Plant without water)

1. Place rooted stem cutting and potting soil in a pot or plastic

container
2. Place container near a light source
3. Record your observations every three days

Experiment #E (Plant without air)

1. Place rooted stem cutting and potting soil in a pot or plastic

container
2. Put pot in an airtight clear bag
3. Place container near a light source
4. Water plant every 5 days
5. Record your observations every three days
Observation Discussion (After Experiment Completion)
5. Have students get into groups with other pairs who did the same experiment and share
their findings. Have students look for similarities and differences between their
observations. What could make their plant grow better or prevent death or wilting?
6. Have a class discussion. Have students share their findings of what happened in their
experiments and what could make their plant grow better or prevent death or wilting.
Write their findings on the “What plants need to live” column. Be sure to match up the
human needs with the plants needs. E.g. soil with shelter, home. Food with nutrients or
sunlight, etc. Make connections between human needs and plant needs. Have student
explain the similarities with a partner.
7. Explain that humans and plants both need to have certain things to survive. Review the
two-column notes.
Closure:
8. Review what plants need to survive.

Evaluation/Assessment:
Have students draw and color a plant that is receiving all necessary items for plant growth. Have
students label the necessary items.

*Additional assessment options:

Have students draw and color a plant that is receiving all necessary items for plant growth except
for one or more of the following: water, light, soil, etc. Plant should show wilting, browning,
etc). Have students label the necessary items.

Resources
Oregon 4-H Agriculture in the Classroom: Curriculum Handbook for Grades 4-5
October 2003. Oregon Agriculture in the Classroom

http://www.ppi-ppic.org/Elementary/homepage.html (Potash & Phosphate Institute website)

www.wordcentral.com/

Extensions
Have students complete Experiment A using various soil types (sand, silt, clay, top soil, etc).
Students will discover the best soil types for growing plants.
 Let’s Do An Experiment!

Name: ___________________ Date: ___________

Check the appropriate boxes for your experiment

My plant will receive soil light water air

My plant will not receive soil light water air

Data collection: what do you see?

Answer the following questions by circling your answer

Day 1: Date: ______________

Is your plant green?

Is your plant wilting?

Is your plant turning brown?

Draw and color a picture of your plant.

Day 4: Date: ______________

Is your plant green?

Is your plant wilting?

Is your plant turning brown?

Draw and color a picture of your plant.

Day 7: Date: ______________

Is your plant green?

Is your plant wilting?

Is your plant turning brown?

Draw and color a picture of your plant.

Day 11: Date: ______________

Is your plant green?

Is your plant wilting?

Is your plant turning brown?

Draw and color a picture of your plant.

Day 14: Date: ______________

Is your plant green?

Is your plant wilting?

Is your plant turning brown?

Draw and color a picture of your plant.