3rd Grade Science, Unit 3 “Structures and Functions of Living Things”

L.OL.03.41 Classify plants on the basis of observable physical characteristics (roots, leaves, stems, and flowers).

Lesson: Guess My Plant

Background: Instructional Clarifications from 3rd Grade Companion Document for Science GLCE’s

1. Scientists classify organisms (plants and animals) based on physical characteristics.

2. Plants can be classified based on observable physical characteristics such as roots, leaves, stems, and flowers.

3. Seed plants can be classified into two categories: evergreens and broad-leafed.

4. Plants leaves can be classified in many ways. Two common ways are by shape and pattern. Green plants can have needle-like leaves or broad flat leaves. It is not important for third grade students to identify the specific leaf structures used for classification. They should be able to recognize that there are different leaf types and classify based on observable characteristics such as leaf type, leaf shape, veins.

5. Plant stems vary considerably and are divided into two groups. Plants may have woody stems such as in trees and shrubs. Plants may have green, non-woody stems such as in flowering plants and grasses.

6. Plants may be classified based on the type of flower. Flowers can be classified by color, shape and number of petals.

Vocabulary:

Roots

Leaves

Stems

Flowers

Fruit

Seed

Materials:

Books on a variety of plants from the library

And/or

Pictures of varieties of plants at http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/pictures/plants.html

1.  Each or pairs of children are given a book or picture of a plant.

2.  Students write riddles about their plants. For example: My plant has rounded leaf shapes, a woody stem, and drops its leaves in the fall. What am I?

3.  Display the book covers and/or pictures to the class as an answer bank.

4.  Students read their clues to the class as the class guesses which plant is being described.

5.  A variation would be to give one clue at a time until children are able to guess the plant the riddle describes.

6.  Play until all animals are guessed.