Grow a Garden

Ages 3–6 · 5 minutes · English, Science

Plant it! Water it! Watch it grow!

In this lesson, students will:

- Plant a seed and watch it grow!
- Take up to 3 different journeys (sunflowers, tomatoes, or pumpkins)
- Examine what plants need to survive
- Observe a plant growth time lapse
- Interact and make connections to the story

Part of

Science Stories

Standards alignment

Common Core State Standards

Plants depend on water and light to grow.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.

Alabama

SC23.K.4 — Use observations to determine patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive, including light, water, and nutrients.

Alaska

Plants depend on water and light to grow.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns and/or relationships in the natural and designed world(s) in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems.

Arizona

1.L1U1.6 — Observe, describe, and predict life cycles of animals and plants.
1.L2U2.7 — Develop and use models about how living things use resources to grow and survive; design and evaluate habitats for organisms using earth materials.

Arkansas

All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
K.RC.7.RF — Demonstrate comprehension of age and grade-appropriate texts by speaking or writing.

California

Plants depend on water and light to grow.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns and/or relationships in the natural and designed world(s) in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems.

Colorado

SC.P.2.2.a — Identify the common needs such as food, air and water of familiar living things.
SC.P.2.2.d — Recognize that plants and animals grow and change.
SC.K.2.1.a — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
SC.P.2.2.c — Observe and document changes in living things over time using different modalities such as drawing, dramatization, describing or using technology.

Connecticut

Plants depend on water and light to grow.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns and/or relationships in the natural and designed world(s) in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems.

Delaware

Plants depend on water and light to grow.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns and/or relationships in the natural and designed world(s) in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems.

Florida

SC.1.L.17.1 — Through observation, recognize that all plants and animals, including humans, need the basic necessities of air, water, food, and space.
SC.2.L.16.1 — Observe and describe major stages in the life cycles of plants and animals, including beans and butterflies.
SC.K.N.1.5 — Recognize that learning can come from careful observation.

Georgia

ELAGSEKRL10 — Actively engage in group reading activities with purpose and understanding.
S1L1.b — Ask questions to compare and contrast the basic needs of plants (air, water, light, and nutrients) and animals (air, water, food, and shelter).
ELAGSEKRL1 — With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
S2L1.b — Plan and carry out an investigation of the life cycle of a plant by growing a plant from a seed and by recording changes over a period of time.

Hawaii

Plants depend on water and light to grow.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns and/or relationships in the natural and designed world(s) in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems.

Idaho

All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow. (K-LS-1.1)
K-LS-1.1 — Students who demonstrate understanding can: Use observations to describe how plants and animals are alike and different in terms of how they live and grow.

Illinois

K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
LS1.C-P1 — All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
DATA-P3 — Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns in the natural world in order to answer scientific questions.

Indiana

K.LS.1 — Describe and compare the growth and development of common living plants and animals.
K.LS.3 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
K.CC.3 — Ask and answer questions about key details in a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media. (E)

Iowa

Plants depend on water and light to grow.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns and/or relationships in the natural and designed world(s) in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems.

Kansas

Plants depend on water and light to grow.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns and/or relationships in the natural and designed world(s) in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems.

Kentucky

Plants depend on water and light to grow.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns and/or relationships in the natural and designed world(s) in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems.

Louisiana

K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
Things may change slowly or rapidly.
Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns and/or relationships in the natural and designed world(s) in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems.

Maine

K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns and/or relationships in the natural and designed world(s) in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems.
Read grade-appropriate texts and/or use media to obtain scientific and/or technical information to determine patterns in and/or evidence about the natural and designed world(s).

Maryland

DCI.LS2.A.K-2.1 — Plants depend on water and light to grow.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
SEP.4.K-2.3 — Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns and/or relationships in the natural and designed world(s) in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems.

Massachusetts

K-LS1-1 — Observe and communicate that animals (including humans) and plants need food, water, and air to survive. Animals get food from plants or other animals. Plants make their own food and need light to live and grow.
K-LS1-2(MA) — Recognize that all plants and animals grow and change over time.
PreK-LS2-2(MA) — Using evidence from the local environment, explain how familiar plants and animals meet their needs where they live.
RI.PK.6 — With prompting and support, “read” illustrations in an informational picture book by describing facts learned from the pictures (e.g., how a seed grows into a plant).

Michigan

K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.

Minnesota

0.2.5.2 — Verbally or visually respond to a story, with support and guidance.
0L.2.1.1.3 — Record and use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive. (P: 4, CC: 1, CI: LS1)
0.1.4.1 — Ask and answer questions about key details in a text, with prompting and support.

Mississippi

L.K.2.1 — Use informational text or other media to make observations about plants as they change during the life cycle (e.g., germination, growth, reproduction, and death) and use models (e.g., drawing, writing, dramatization, or technology) to communicate findings.
L.K.3A.1 — With teacher guidance, conduct a structured investigation to determine what plants need to live and grow (water, light, and a place to grow). Measure growth by directly comparing plants with other objects.
W.K.8 — With guidance and support from adults, recall information from experiences or gather information from provided sources to answer a question.

Missouri

Plants depend on water and light to grow.
K.LS1.C.1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
Some events happen very quickly; others occur very slowly, over a time period much longer than one can observe.

Montana

K-LS1-1 — use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals, including humans, need to survive.
RI.K.1 — With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
RI.K.10 — Actively engage in group reading activities with purpose and understanding.

Nebraska

Plants depend on water and light to grow.
SC.K.7.2.A — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns and/or relationships in the natural and designed world(s) in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems.

Nevada

Plants depend on water and light to grow.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns and/or relationships in the natural and designed world(s) in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems.

New Hampshire

Plants depend on water and light to grow.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns and/or relationships in the natural and designed world(s) in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems.

New Jersey

Plants depend on water and light to grow.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns and/or relationships in the natural and designed world(s) in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems.

New Mexico

Plants depend on water and light to grow.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns and/or relationships in the natural and designed world(s) in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems.

New York

Plants depend on water and light to grow.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
P-LS1-1 — Observe familiar plants and animals (including humans) and describe what they need to survive.
Some events happen very quickly; others occur very slowly, over a time period much longer than one can observe.

North Carolina

LS.K.1 — Understand the characteristics of living organisms and nonliving things.
LS.K.1.1 — Engage in argument from evidence to summarize the characteristics of living organisms and nonliving things in terms of their: structure, growth, changes, movement, basic needs.
RI.K.1 — With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text.

North Dakota

K-LS1-1 — Describe patterns, through observation, of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
Make observations (firsthand or from media) to collect data that can be used to make comparison._Question
1.R.2 — Ask and answer questions about a variety of texts, genres, photographs, or illustrations before, during, and after shared reading or other text-listening experiences to compare, contrast, predict, or infer.

Ohio

1.LS.1 — Living things have basic needs, which are met by obtaining materials from the physical environment.
K.LS.1 — Living things have specific characteristics and traits.
RL.K.10 — Actively engage in group reading activities with purpose and understanding. Activate prior knowledge and draw on previous experiences in order to make text-to-self or text-to-text connections and comparisons.

Oklahoma

Plants need water and light to live and grow. (K.LS1.1)
K.8.R — Students will listen and respond to read-alouds, participate in shared reading, and interact independently with texts.
K.LS1.1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns and/or relationships in the natural and designed world(s) in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems (K.LS1.1, K.ESS2.1, 1.ESS1.1)

Oregon

K.LS1.1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive. [Clarification Statement: Examples of patterns could include that animals need to take in food but plants do not; the different kinds of food needed by different types of animals; the requirement of plants to have light; and, that all living things need water.][assessment boundary: assessment is limited to patterns of light, food, or water as sources of matter and energy needed for growth. the process of photosynthesis is beyond the standard at this grade level.]
K.SL.2 — Confirm understanding of a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media by asking and answering questions about key details and requesting clarification if something is not understood.
K.RI.1 — With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text.

Pennsylvania

Plants depend on water and light to grow.
3.1.K.A — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns and/or relationships in the natural and designed world(s) in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems.
CC.1.4.PK.W — With guidance and support, recall information from experiences or books.

Rhode Island

Plants depend on water and light to grow.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns and/or relationships in the natural and designed world(s) in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems.

South Carolina

K-LS1-1. — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive. Clarification Statement: Examples of patterns could include that animals need to take in food, but plants make food; the different kinds of food needed by different types of animals; the requirement of plants to have light; and that all living things need water. Patterns could be described using multiple modes of representation.
K-LS1-1.DCI.C: — Organization for Matter and Energy Flow in Organisms All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow. NRC Framework Link
K-LS1-1.SEP.A: — Analyzing and Interpreting Data Analyzing data in K-2 builds on prior experiences and progresses to collecting, recording, and sharing observations. Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns in the natural world in order to answer scientific questions. NRC Framework Link

South Dakota

K-LS1-1 — Describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
K.SL.1 — Participate in collaborative conversations about kindergarten topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns and/or relationships in the natural and designed world(s) in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems.

Tennessee

1.LS1.2 — Illustrate and summarize the life cycle of plants.
K.ESS3.1 — Use a model to represent the relationship between the basic needs (shelter, food, water) of different plants and animals (including humans) and the places they live.
1.LS2.1 — Conduct an experiment to show how plants depend on air, water, minerals from soil, and light to grow and thrive.

Texas

K.10D — observe changes that are part of a simple life cycle of a plant: seed, seedling, plant, flower, and fruit.
K.12A — observe and identify the dependence of plants on air, sunlight, water, nutrients in the soil, and space to grow; and
K.9B — examine evidence that living organisms have basic needs such as food, water, and shelter for animals and air, water, nutrients, sunlight, and space for plants.

Utah

K.2.1 — Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to describe patterns of what living things (plants and animals, including humans) need to survive. Emphasize the similarities and differences between the survival needs of all living things. Examples could include that plants depend on air, water, minerals, and light to survive, or animals depend on plants or other animals to survive. (LS1.C, LS2.B)

Vermont

K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.

Virginia

K.7.a — Living things need adequate food, water, shelter, air, and space to survive.
K.7.b — Plants and animals have life cycles.
1.4.a — Plants need nutrients, air, water, light, and a place to grow.

Washington

Plants depend on water and light to grow.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns and/or relationships in the natural and designed world(s) in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems.

Washington, D.C.

K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns and/or relationships in the natural and designed world(s) in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems.

West Virginia

S.K.3 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
Observing patterns

Wisconsin

Animals obtain food they need from plants or other animals. Plants need water and light.
Students observe some things stay the same while other things change, and things may change slowly or rapidly.
Students collect, record, and share observations. This includes the following: Record information (observations, thoughts, and ideas). Use and share pictures, drawings, or writings of observations. Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns or relationships in the natural and designed worlds in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems. Compare predictions (based on prior experiences) to what occurred (observable events). Analyze data from tests of an object or tool to determine if the object or tool works as intended.

Wyoming

Animals obtain food they need from plants or other animals. Plants need water and light.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns and/or relationships in the natural and designed world(s) in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems.
Plants depend on water and light to grow, and also depend on animals for pollination or to move their seeds around.