Minds On
What do plants need?
Plants are living things that need certain things to grow and be healthy.
What do you think plants need?
Record your ideas on paper, on the computer, or in a recording.
Use this picture to help you.
Action
UN Sustainable Development Goals
Connecting to the world
The United Nations (UN) is a group of many countries from around the world that have come together to create a better future for people and the environment. They have created 17 goals called the Sustainable Development Goals.
This learning activity is connected to Goal #3 which is called Good Health and Well-being. This means everyone should have what they need to live a healthy life.
Plants are living things. Just like people and animals, plants need special items to grow and be healthy. Explore the following eBook to learn about what needs people have.
Do plants have the same needs as people? Click on each item that plants need to grow and be healthy.
Plants and the sun
What is the sun?
As we have learned, plants need lots of things to grow. They need water, air, sunlight, food, and a space to grow. Let's focus on one of those things: The Sun.
The sun is in the sky. It warms the earth and the water and gives us light.
Living things use the energy from the sun.
Plants need the sun to grow and people and animals need plants to grow.
Why do plants need the sun?
Plants use the light they get from the sun to make a sugar in their leaves that is called glucose. This glucose is the energy that plants need to grow and be healthy.
If a plant does not get enough light, it will grow very slowly, or maybe even not at all.
Think about it!
Why does the caterpillar need the plant?
Why does the plant need the sun?
Record your thoughts on paper, on the computer, or in a recording.
Let’s investigate!
We are going to use experiment skills to investigate what happens to plants if they don’t get enough sun.
First, we are going to predict what we think will happen to 3 different plants.
Predicting is when you make a guess about what you think will happen in your experiment.
Then we are going to use concluding skills to share what happened to these 3 plants.
You should think about what you have learned. Did you learn anything new?
I can predict!
How will a plant grow with:
- a lot of sun
- a bit of sun
- no sun
Draw a plant that has had a lot of sun, a plant that has had a bit of sun, and a plant that has had no sun.
Complete the Plant Growth activity in your notebook or using the following printable document. If you would like, you can use speech-to-text or audio recording tools to record your thoughts.
Press the ‘Activity’ button to access Plant Growth.
Do plants need sun to grow? How do you know?
Record your answer on the computer, on paper, or in a recording.
Be sure to use science words from this activity in your answer.
Press ‘Plant Growth’ to access how plants grow with a lot of sun, a bit of sun, and no sun.
There are three flower pots. The first pot has a picture of a sun on in, there is a sun shining in the background and a plant growing out of the pot. The second pot has a picture of a sun and cloud on it, there is sun and clouds in the background and a small plant growing out of the pot. The third pot has the image of a sun with an X through it, there is no sun and no plant growing from the pot.
Consolidation
Our predictions
Use your investigation skills to answer these questions on paper, on the computer, or in a recording.
What was the same and what was different between your predictions and conclusions?
Why did you predict what you did?
Check your learning
Can you answer these questions about plants and the sun?
Select the correct answer, then press ‘Check Answer’ to see how you did.
Reflection
How do you feel about what you have learned in this activity? Which of the next four sentences best matches how you are feeling about your learning? Press the button that is beside this sentence.
I feel…
Now, record your ideas about your feelings using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.
Press ‘Discover More’ to extend your skills.
Discover MoreIt’s time to play a game! You will now access Get Growing.
