Spring and Fall are prime times to learn about plants, which is why I want to share a free plants unit study. Below, you’ll find a wealth of information, videos, and book suggestions. I’m also throwing in a free printable plants activity set. With these resources, you can easily plan your next unit study about plants.
Where do I start with teaching about plants?
This is a question most homeschooling parents ask, especially when it comes to teaching a science-based subject. Regardless of the age and grade level of your kids, I suggest starting with understanding the genetic makeup of plants and how they grow. These concepts are easy to understand and lay the groundwork for understanding the more in-depth ones.
What do I use to create a plants unit study?
As with any unit study, it’s good to have a variety of resources. Of course, you’ll want to keep your kid’s learning style in mind and then plan accordingly. Some kids are hands-on and thrive better with physical activities. Other kids may be visual and audial learners and do best with watching videos or reading books. This post will help you put together a well-rounded plants unit study.
Free All About Plants Unit Study
Photosynthesis and Plants
One of the most important things to teach about plants is the process known as photosynthesis. This is when plants take in carbon dioxide and water from the air and soil. Within the plant cell, the water is oxidized. During this process, it loses electrons. While carbon dioxide is reduced, it gains electrons.
This transforms the water into oxygen and the carbon dioxide into glucose. Afterward, the plant releases oxygen back into the air and stores energy within the glucose molecules.
It’s also worth mentioning the process by which plants take in water, which is through their roots. Leaves absorb the sunlight, which also gives the plant energy.
Plant Cohesion
Plant cohesion is a good concept to teach as well. This will help your kids understand how plants take in water. Cohesion happens when water molecules stick to one another and fill the column in the xylem. Think of this being equivalent to water in a straw.
Parts of a Plant
Flowers, leaves, stems, and roots make up a plant. However, there are also things to learn about plants from the inside. Learning about plants cells and the anatomy of their leaves will help your kids better understand how they grow. Just like our bodies, plant cells have a lot of fancy names. Some of them are:
- nucleus
- chloroplast
- cell membrane
- vacoule
- ribosomes
- cell wall
- mitochondrion
- cytoplasm
Just to name a few. When it comes to leaf anatomy, there are also some interesting part names:
- cuticle
- upper epidermis
- palisade mesophyll cells
- xylem
- phloem
These make for a great list of vocabulary words!
Free Plants Activity Set
Don’t forget to download your free plants activity set below. Use this printable resource with the information above, as well as the videos and book suggestions below.
Videos to Watch for a Plants Unit Study
Parts of a Plant
This video will give your kids a visual of what was discussed above (and in the printable resource).
Photosynthesis in Plants
A walkthrough of the process of photosynthesis in plants.
Plant Cell Structure
Get a visual of cells that make up a plant.
Books to Read for a Plants Unit Study
It’s always a great idea to check with your public library and see what books, activities, and programs they currently have. Bigger libraries may host science fairs or hands-on experiments. Others provide to-go bags with science-based activities. Catch them at the right time and you may just get your hands on some plant-based activities!
Here are a few books that you may be able to check out at your public library, order on Amazon, or your platform of choice:
- Botany: Plants, Cells and Photosynthesis
- Looking Inside Cells
- A Little Cell Biology
- How Plants Work
- Plant Life Cycles
Hands-On Experiments & Activities for a Plants Unit Study
These experiments and activities provide the perfect hands-on touch to your plants unit study:
- How Do Leaves Breathe?
- Plants Science Experiments
- Photosynthesis Experiment
- Photosynthesis & Respiration
- Leaf Lab
Conclusion
This roundup of information, activities, videos, books, and activities should help you easily teach your kids about plants. Don’t forget to download the free plants activity pack to pair with the resources you choose to use.
