Teacher Resource Pack
Unit Planning Resources
Subject Area/Grade: Science, 3rd Grade Title:
Unit Theme: Plant Growth & Soils
Conceptual Lens:
Evidence, Explanation, Measurement, Order,
Organization, Change, System
Identify the Big Ideas:
Patterns
Cause and Effect
Systems and System Models
Structure and Function
Stability and Change
Enduring Understandings
(Generalizations)
Plants can grow and develop only in
environments in which their needs are met.
Plant Growth & Development, Soils
Estimated Time Frame: approx. 30 days for
the plant to grow from seed to seed
GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS:
NC Science Essential Standards
Atlas of Science Literacy:
The Interdependence of Life: http://strandmaps.nsdl.org/?id=SMS-MAP-2122
Natural Selection: http://strandmaps.nsdl.org/?id=SMS-MAP-1437
Flow of Energy in Ecosystems: http://strandmaps.nsdl.org/?id=SMS-MAP-1422
Changes in the Earth’s Surface: http://strandmaps.nsdl.org/?id=SMS-MAP-0048
Use of the Earth’s Resources: http://strandmaps.nsdl.org/?id=SMS-MAP-1699
Science Benchmarks: 4C, 5D, 5E, 5F
NC Science Essential Standards
3.L.2 Understand how plants survive in their
environments.
3.L.2.1 Remember the function of the following
plant structures as it relates to plants in their
To move through their life cycle, plants need environment: roots (absorb nutrients), stem
light, water, and nutrients from the soil. To
(provides support), leaves (synthesize food), and
reproduce, plants must be pollinated.
flowers (attract pollinators and produce seed for
reproduction).
Organisms go through distinct stages as part 3.L.2.2 Explain how environmental conditions
of a process known as the life cycle.
determine how well plants survive and grow.
3.L.2.3 Summarize the distinct stages of the life
Living things are interdependent; for
cycle of seed plants.
example, plants depend on bees for
3.L.2.4 Explain how the basic properties (texture
pollination.
and capacity to hold water) and components
(sand, clay, humus) of soil determine the ability
Soils provide a structural base for plant
of soil to support growth and survival of many
Essential Questions
(Guiding Questions)
What are the parts of a plant?
How do the parts of a plant function in
order for the plant to survive?
How might environmental conditions
determine how well a plant grows and
survives?
What are the stages of the life cycle of a
seed plant?
Which properties of soils might influence
the growth and survival of plants?
growth and the medium through which
water and nutrients are transferred among
the atmosphere, Earth, and plants.
plants.
Soil is made up of different components with
different properties. These properties affect
plant and root growth.
Essential Terminology
plants
roots
stems
leaves
flowers
seeds
pollinator
life cycle of plants: seed, germination, seedling, adult
soil
properties
sand
clay
humus
Identify Misconceptions
Use formative probe:
Uncovering Student Ideas in Science, by Page Keely et al. Volume 2, page 107 [Blue Cover] “Plants in the Dark”
“What is in soil?” is available on the Elementary Science Wiki at http://wakek5science.pbworks.com. Then select Formative Assessment
Probes and scroll down to 3rd grade.
Unpacked Content
3.L.2.1 Students know the names and
functions of major plant parts (roots, leaves,
stem, flowers). Students know that plants
have special parts that perform special
functions in order for the plant to survive.
3.L.2.2 Students know that how well plants
grow and survive is determined by a
Science For All Americans
(Content knowledge for adults.)
Every species is linked, directly or indirectly, with a multitude of
others in an ecosystem. Plants provide food, shelter, and nesting
sites for other organisms. For their part, many plants depend upon
animals for help in reproduction (bees pollinate flowers, for
instance) and for certain nutrients (such as minerals in animal
Benchmarks Reference
For any particular
environment, some kinds of
plants and animals thrive,
some do not live as well, and
some do not survive at all.
combination of environmental conditions.
For example, drought conditions will tend to
diminish plant health and growth.
3.L.2.3 Students know the distinct stages of
the life cycle of seed plants (seed,
germination, seedling, adult).
3.L.2.4 Students know that different soils
possess different textures and capacities for
the retention of water and nutrients.
Students know that soil consists of different
components. Students know that these
characteristics of soil influence the growth
and survival of plants.
waste products).
Plants and animals reshape the landscape in many ways. The
composition and texture of the soil, and consequently its fertility
and resistance to erosion, are greatly influenced by plant roots
and debris, bacteria, and fungi that add organic material to the
soil, and by insects, worms, and burrowing animals that break it
up. The presence of life has also altered the earth's atmosphere.
Plants remove carbon dioxide from the air, use the carbon for
synthesizing sugars, and release oxygen. This process is
responsible for the oxygen in our air today.
Insects and various other
organisms depend on dead
plant and animal material for
food.
Organisms interact with one
another in various ways
besides providing food.
Many plants depend on
animals for carrying their
pollen to other plants or for
dispersing their seeds.
Over the whole earth,
organisms are growing, dying,
decaying, and new organisms
are being produced by the old
ones.
Soil is made partly from
weathered rock, partly from
plant remains—and also
contains many living
organisms.
North Carolina Connections: (local and state resources)
Wake County Feed the Bin program loans Teacher Kits about composting.
Visit http://www.wakegov.com/recycling/recycle/ftb/Pages/coordinators.aspx for more information or to request a kit.
Wake County Soil & Water Conservation District
http://www.wakegov.com/swcd/education/Pages/resource.aspx
City of Raleigh Environment Department offers information about composting with worms.
http://www.raleighnc.gov/environment/content/SolidWaste/Articles/CompostingwithWorms.html
Annotated TEACHER Resources
Wisconsin Fast Plant Website
http://www.fastplants.org/
WRITING PROMPTS
Explain the factors (conditions) that plants need to grow. Describe why each of these factors (conditions) is important in plant development.
You’ve been selected to help design a community garden. Choose a site at your school for a community garden. Write a letter to your
principal explaining why you chose that site.