Let’s Investigate

Provided Resources

• Challenge PowerPoint
• Investigation Task Sheets
• Research Sheets
• Fact Display Sheets
• Teachers’ Notes

Additional Resources

• A variety of age appropriate non-fiction books on plant function, growth, structure, etc.
• Access to computers for research
• 6 word cards (20 x 6 cm approx.) and chunky permanent markers
• A few trays of seedlings (beans are ideal - see Teachers’ Notes)
• Compost, 18 medium flowerpots and sticky labels
• A calendar (to help chn calculate the number of days on the investigation)
• A copy of the task sheets each and some display shapes if you want to create a display
• Pens, pencils, felt pens, pencil crayons, scissors, chunky display pens
• Green photocopy paper and different shades of green tissue paper (if you want to display your plant facts as a beanstalk)

Weblinks
A short compilation clip of plants growing that may give children ideas on what they need to be strong and healthy from www.bbc.co.uk

Teaching

• Set up an enquiry to test our theories on what plants need to grow and thrive.
• Research plant facts using books and the Internet.

Activities

1. Discuss and decide all the requirements we think plants need to grow strong and healthy (Yrs 3&4).
2. Set up a plant growth investigation to test our theories (Yrs 3&4).
3. Begin to take measurements of height and make notes on observations (Yrs 3&4).
4. Research some interesting plant facts from books and the Internet and create a display of “Did you know …?” facts (Yr3 - 3 facts, Yr4 - 5 facts).

Investigation - exploring over time/fair testing/analysing secondary sources
You agree to help the Greatly Green H. Society and become their plant experts. Discuss what you think plants need to become strong and healthy and list these possible requirements. In groups, set up an investigation to test the importance of each requirement – light, water, space, soil/ nutrients, air.
Year 3 - Research 2 plant facts.
Year 4 - Research 4 plant facts.

Vocabulary
Plants, growth, light, warmth, air, soil, water, investigate, seedlings, research