Last updated: July 22, 2024
Lesson Plan
Leaf ID - Part Two
There are lots of trees in the park!
National Park Service
- Grade Level:
- Lower Elementary: Pre-Kindergarten through Second Grade
- Subject:
- Science
- Lesson Duration:
- 60 Minutes
- State Standards:
- Kentucky
Science
1-LS3-1. Make observations to construct an evidence-based account that young plants and animals are like, but not exactly like, their parents - Thinking Skills:
- Remembering: Recalling or recognizing information ideas, and principles. Understanding: Understand the main idea of material heard, viewed, or read. Interpret or summarize the ideas in own words. Applying: Apply an abstract idea in a concrete situation to solve a problem or relate it to a prior experience. Analyzing: Break down a concept or idea into parts and show the relationships among the parts. Creating: Bring together parts (elements, compounds) of knowledge to form a whole and build relationships for NEW situations. Evaluating: Make informed judgements about the value of ideas or materials. Use standards and criteria to support opinions and views.
Essential Question
How are leaves of the same type similar and different?
Objective
Students will observe, compare, and identify leaves from different plants, making simple observations to understand how young plants resemble but are not exactly like their parents.
Background
The teacher needs a solid understanding of basic botany, including leaf anatomy and common plant characteristics. Familiarity with standard 1-LS3-1 is essential for guiding students to observe and compare similarities and differences among leaves and relate these observations to heredity. Contextual knowledge of the local environment, including safe leaf collection practices and relevant local flora, ensures the activity is conducted safely and effectively. Practical preparation such as organizing materials, managing logistics for any field trips or outdoor activities, and planning engaging follow-up discussions is essential for maintaining student engagement and achieving the lesson's learning objectives effectively within the first-grade curriculum.
Preparation
Leaf ID - Part One - Teachers (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
Part Two:
- Observation cards from the previous day
- Collected leaves from home and school
- Large paper or whiteboard for group discussion
- Markers or crayons
Procedure
Step One:
Review and Introduction (10 minutes):
Welcome and Recap:
-
Begin by welcoming students back and briefly recapping the previous day's activity on leaf identification and heredity.
-
Remind students of the purpose of the activity and its connection to understanding how plants and animals inherit traits from their parents.
Step Two:
Small Group Discussion (15 minutes):
Small Group Discussions:
-
Divide students into small groups or pairs.
-
Provide each group with their observation cards and the leaves they collected from home and school.
-
Encourage students to review their observations and discuss similarities and differences between the leaves they brought from home and the leaf they collected at school. Collection of leaves from National Parks is prohibited.
Step Three:
Whole Group Discussion and Comparison (15 minutes):
Whole Group Sharing:
-
Bring the class together for a whole group discussion.
-
Ask each group to share one observation they made about their leaves.
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Record key observations on the large paper or whiteboard, categorizing similarities and differences.
Step Four:
Drawing and Writing Activity (10 minutes):
Reflection Activity:
-
Distribute markers or crayons and large sheets of paper.
-
Ask students to draw a picture of their leaf from home and the leaf from school side by side.
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Below each drawing, have students write one sentence describing a similarity and one sentence describing a difference between the two leaves.
Step Five:
Conclusion and Application (10 minutes):
Application of Learning:
-
Summarize the discussion and emphasize the key learning points about heredity and variation in plants.
-
Discuss how these concepts relate to the upcoming field trip to Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Park Center.
Step Six:
Review and Preparation for Field Trip:
-
Review expectations for behavior and learning during the field trip.
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Remind students to bring their observation skills and curiosity to the park center.
-
Remind students that they can not collect leaves from National Parks.
Vocabulary
Trait: A trait is something that makes plants (and animals) different from each other. It can be like the color, shape, or size of a leaf that they get from their parents.
Pattern: Pattern means how something looks or repeats. For leaves, it could mean how lines or veins are arranged on them.
Similar: Similar means almost the same, but not exactly. Leaves from different plants might look similar if they have the same color or shape.
Different: Different means not the same. Leaves can be different because they come from different plants or trees, even if they look a bit alike.
Inherit: Inherit means to get something from parents. Just like how children might look like their mom or dad, leaves can inherit traits like color or shape from their plant parents.
Supports for Struggling Learners
- Struggling students will draw and assist will be assisted in their writing with sentence starters for their writing.
- Students may be put in pairs to complete the activities.
Enrichment Activities
- Encourage them to use more scientific terminology in their writing similarities and differences.
Additional Resources
Leaf ID - Part One - Teachers (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
Related Lessons or Education Materials
Meets Kentucky 1st Grade science standards. This lesson was created by Kentucky teachers as a part of the History and Science Explore Project.