Oxbow At Home: Eat Your Veggies

Objective

This lesson is designed to introduce students to the basic parts of a plant, different types of seeds, and to dissect a vegetable.

Outline:

Introduction
Parts of a Plant
Seed Breeds
Let’s be Brief about the Leaf
Under the Skin – Dissect a Bell Pepper
Beneath the Ground, Vines Abound, or Jack the Beanstalk
Veggie Snacks
Conclusion
Reflection and Review
Additional Resources

Standards

Kindergarten

SKL2. b. Construct an argument supported by evidence for how plants can be grouped according to their features.

First Grade:

S1L1. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the basic needs of plants and animals.
S1L1.a. Develop models to identify the parts of a plant—root, stem, leaf, and flower.

Second Grade:

S2L1. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the life cycles of different living organisms.

Eat Your Veggies

Parts of a Plant

Study the diagram below and then see if you can label the parts of the plant on the blank page.

Why is the mushroom always invited to parties?

He’s a fungi

Life Cycle of a Plant

Most plants start their life cycle as a seed. If a plant has the requirements that it needs for survival, it will begin to sprout and then roots will begin forming before leaves sprout above the soil. The plant will continue to grow bigger and bigger leaves and grow taller until the plant flowers. Plants need pollinated in order to reproduce, and flowers produce pollen. Lastly, a plant will develop their seeds, and will sometimes even grow pods or fruits with seeds inside.

Sunflow Life Cycle

We All Have Needs – What does a Plant Need for Survival?

All plants need sunlight, water, soil, and carbon dioxide to survive.

Sun, Soil, Water, Carbon

Seed Breeds

Vegetables are one group of plants. Vegetables include carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, peas, broccoli, and so many more varieties. Let’s look at a few different types of seeds and look at their size, shape, and color.

Video Review

What shapes did you see looking at the seeds in the video?

What colors were some of the seeds?

Was the appearance of any of the seeds shown in the video surprising or interesting to you?

Why?

Let's be Brief about the Leaf

An important part of a plant is its leaves. A plant uses a process called photosynthesis to create or “produce” its own food. The plant absorbs sunlight through its leaves and converts carbon dioxide and water into energy. During this process the plant takes in carbon dioxide (which is what humans breathe out) and releases oxygen (which is what humans breathe in). Without photosynthesis, there would be no green plants and without green plants, animals would not be able to survive.

Video Review

Think about the leaves you saw in the video.

What shapes did you see?

Did you notice any differences in coloration?

Draw a picture of a leaf with as much detail as you can!

I saw a leaf that was in the shape of a chicken.

Apparently, it’s from a poultree

Under the Skin

Dissect a Bell Pepper (or any other vegetable in your fridge)

Now that we’ve looked at a few vegetables at different stages of their life cycles, let’s take a closer look under the skin of a vegetable by cutting into it and examining it, or dissecting it. You will need some help from an adult for this activity. Choose a fresh vegetable and the next time your family cooks a meal, watch your adult slice the vegetable in half. Examine the inside closely – what do you see? Can you see the seeds? Was the skin hard or soft? Bumpy or smooth? How does the (flesh) inside look different than the outside (skin)? Is it dry inside or juicy? Is it hard or soft? Ask your adult to slice specific sections that you are interested in to investigate them further. Then draw a picture of the vegetable before and after your dissection. Are there any more vegetables that you are interested in taking a closer look at? Try to predict what two additional vegetables would look like inside if you dissected them.