I.

Describe the class

My class has twenty-five students of fifth graders with two learning disabled student, five gifted
students, and two second language learners.

II. Subject/Skill:

Science, how a plant grows

III. Objective(s)

Students will be able to identify the six stage of how a plant grows, describe the characteristics of
each stage, and determine what plants needs to grow and understand the life cycle. The students
in groups of four will examine each stage of the plant by doing individual and group research of
their stage of growth. They will dissect and analyze the different stages. Students will compose
their findings as well as decide on what type of soil, amount of water and plant they will grow to
be successful. They will be responsible to teach each other about the information they found by
research. The students will evaluate the results of options they chose to grow the plant in their
group. At the end the students will be able to name all stages, classify the six stages, and analyze
the different types of soil, plants, and requirements to grow a plant.
IV. Procedures:

In your groups I put you in today I would like you to talk to each other about what you know or
maybe do not know about plants and how they grow. Please share any information you have on
plants and incorporate the information you have learned before about how things grow. What do
they need to survive? What helps them flourish? I would like you to discuss the different types of
soil and the what the water absorption is for each type that we learned recently and what soil is
best for certain plants. Next I would like you to research together the different stages of how a
plant grows and complete the chart that I handed out. (research terms will be listed on the
whiteboard i.e.: stages of a plant, how a plant grows, seeds, germination, root and stem, leaves,
flowers, pollination) Next you will need to decide between your group who will research a
specific stage of the plant growth each student will need to write three paragraphs or more of the
information you found. Then as a group you will need to decide on what plant you are going to
grow, the type of soil, and how much water it will need every day and complete the handout with
specific information before you start on your hands on project. (I will have the examples of the
soils we researched in a previous lesson out for the students to observe)

Once your group is completed their research on how a plant grows and completes the chart you
will need approval to move to the next step of individual research. Each student will need to
write three paragraphs on their stage they are researching and get approval before moving on to
the group decision of the plant they will be growing. Again the group will decide on specifics of
their plant they will grow and get approval to move on. Each group will have access to 10
different seeds, four different soils (ok for them to mix soil), watering chart to be filled in, and 2
different types of plant food. They will each have a clay pot with holes in the bottom for
drainage.

The students in their groups will work together to set up their soil in the pot, then they will plant
the seed they chose, feed and water based on their charts they set up. They can choose to root
their seed before planting in the soil. They will need to observe the plant every day and write
down the changes and what they did to it that day (water, food, sun exposure). We will be
observing the plants for six weeks and checking on them every day. The group that has the
healthiest plant after six weeks will win the best plant award and get extra free time. We will
keep all the plants that were successful in the class to see them grow.

V. Materials

Computers or tablets, handouts, pots for the plants, seeds, soil, and plant food.

VI. Grouping Structures

The class will be put in 3 groups of 6 and one group of 7. I will have 3 groups with one gifted
students, the group of 7 will have two gifted students and two students with a learning disability
together. I will have the two ELL students in the group with their buddy. This will be mostly
done in the classroom; we will explore outside in the beginning of the lesson.

VII. Modifications

I will have the gifted students research all stages of the plant growth, and allow them to help the
other students in the group as they would like. I will help the two students with the learning
disability and ELL students as needed as well as encourage the gifted and their buddy students to
help as needed. I will ask them to only write one paragraph for their individual work. I will make
sure they fully understand the assignment, allow them to write directly from the research they
found, and have print outs with the information for them to go back to.

VIII. Assessment

I will be closely observing the groups as they work, and require them to get approval to move on
to the next step of the assignment. At that time, I will ask the student questions to make sure they
are understanding and on the right path, as well as allow for questions to be asked. Each student
will need to tell me the six stages of the plant and a characteristic of that stage. I will be also
asking the group to explain why they are choosing the options they are.
I will use a rubric for each student to be graded on their individual paper and also in the group
activity. Each student will need to turn in an individual chart, a paper on their research, and a
final summary paper. Each group will also need to turn in a handout detailing the specifics of
their plant, and the daily observation.

I will ask the students to do research at home as well in class to find the information they need
for this lesson in the first week. They will also be asked to write their summary as homework.