How Does Your Plant Grow?

Lesson 5

Kelley Dunston

Lincoln Elementary, Talladega County

Review

• Once we planted our seeds, we began to see them grow almost right away.

• Some of your plants are taller than my plant.

• Some of your plants are shorter than my plant.

• But I’m wondering how much taller or how much shorter is your plant than mine.

Review or “The Hook”

• I could say your plant is a tiny bit taller than my plant but that isn’t an exact measurement.

• To get an exact measurement, we are all going to have to use the same unit to measure our plants.

• The unit we will use is the centimeter. Centimeters are used when we want to measure the length of small things like a pencil or a paper clip.

• Today, we will measure our plants to the nearest centimeter.

• We will write mathematical statements to describe how tall or short our plants are in comparison with the teacher’s plants.

This is important because…

• As young scientists, we have to make good observations and take good notes about our observations so that other scientist can look at our research and learn from it.

• If you were a farmer, it would be very important for you to take good notes about what kind of plants grow the fastest and produce the most fruit or vegetables.

• You would want to buy that kind of seed again and again.

Repeat Learning Target

• Today, we will learn how to measure our plants to the nearest centimeter.

• We will learn how to write mathematical statements to describe how tall or short our plants are in comparison with the teacher’s plants.

TTYP:

• Today I will learn how to…… (Partner 1 talk first.)

Materials needed:

• Checklist for plant measurement• 1 quad of plants• 1 growth graph• ARMT ruler• Pencil

Directions for using the ruler:• Hold the ruler behind the plant. The zero

on the ruler should rest on the pot rim.• Measure the height of your plant to the

nearer centimeter.• Place your ruler next to the first

centimeter strip and draw a line.• Fill in the squares below that line.• Double-check by holding the ruler up

against the plant again.

Reminder…

This is the first of many times that we will measure our plant growth. Each time, we will use this same procedure. As scientists, it is important that we measure the same plant each time.

Clean up: Partner 1 return tray and plant quad to table. Partner 2 place growth graph and checklist in you plant folder.

Quick Write

Explain the measuring techniques and tools we used today. On your quick write sheet in your plant folder write…

When measuring to the nearest centimeter I need to …

Learning Stations

You and your partner will now go to learning stations where you will have opportunities to

measure some common objects. Use the centimeter strips you will find at each station to measure the items. You will go to two stations. I will set the timer for five minutes at each station. Be sure to fill out the recording sheet you find at

your stations. Remember to work with your partner. I will come around to observe and

answer any questions you have.

Assessment Strategies:

• Practice measuring opportunities (practice sheet or measuring stations)

• Recording sheet

• Journaling

• Teacher observation

• Student responses