Growing rapid-cycling Brassicas

A method using film pots (adapted from the traditional 4-pot technique), suitable for primary aged children, and useful to illustrate the whole life cycle in a short space of time and with plants that are small enough to keep in the classroom.

The Life Cycle of a Flowering Plant

A sequencing activity based on the stages and events in the life cycle of a flowering plant, illustrated by the rapid-cycling Brassica.

Fruits, Seeds and their Dispersal

This series of activities gives pupils an opportunity to explore different aspects of fruits and seeds and to understand how (and why) they are dispersed.

Composting, Recycling and the Curriculum from KS2 Teaching Notes

In many gardens up and down the land there is heap of garden waste, some kitchen waste and probably grass clippings. But what opportunities does it have for science?

Dandelions Across the Curriculum at KS2

How do dandelions grow in different habitats? . . . Can we measure their growth to give us useful information about these habitats? Can we then link these measurements to science teaching about plants, and to other aspects of the National Curriculum - in numeracy, literacy and IT?

Finding out about the number of flower parts

This activity is useful to help develop numeracy skills, as the children have opportunities for work on numbers and then link the pattern of numbers or parts in different flowers.

How fast does a root grow?

In this activity, seeds are grown in Petri dishes so children can make direct observations of the roots as they grow. The activity requires measurements over a number of days. The conversion of the results to growth rate makes links with numeracy skills.

Investigating if Plants Grow Better with Fertiliser

Explores ways of measuring radish growth, with the suggestion of a “radogram” as a useful visual presentation of results

The Colour of Flowers

Linked to developing an understanding of pollination, this activity scores frequency of different flower colours as graphs

The amazing concertina cactus

Do you have a dried up cactus lurking in your classroom? Treasure it - it is a valuable educational resource.

Plants & Literacy - Games with cards 1

More activities that help establish vocabulary (root, stem, leaf, and parts of a flower) - useful as “starters” or “plenaries” and identifying children’s misconceptions

Plants & Literacy - Games with cards 2

Activities that help establish vocabulary (root, stem, leaf, flower) - useful as “starters” or “plenaries” and identifying children’s misconceptions

Plants & Literacy - Word wall

Includes 20 key words in relation to parts of a plant and their functions (including a flower, pollination and fertilisation). You can enlarge and pin it on the classroom wall for the pupils to use in their work.

Plants & Literacy - Design a seed packet

Another seed from a newly discovered plant . . . an activity that stimulates discussion (on what seeds need to grow), gives the children an opportunity for writing instructional texts and requires creative thinking in the design of the packet

Plants & Literacy - What’s in a seed? Taking a seed apart

After the activity, a Pupil Sheet gives encouragement (and a little guidance) to draw and write about the observations made.

Plants & Literacy - Do plants need soil to grow?

A Pupil Sheet encourages the children to write about their investigation - what they need, what they will do, what they predict will happen, what did happen and what they found out

Plants & Literacy - Vines and Villains Board Game

Based on “Snakes and ladders”, this board game reinforces children’s understanding about what seeds need to germinate and what plants need to grow well.

Create a Plant

Suggestions as to how to make a plant using a variety of materials . . . drinking straws for the stem, pipe cleaners or wool for the roots and all sorts of ideas for the flower - an opportunity to be creative and develop cross-curricular links

Create a Flower

Suggestions as to how to make a flower using a variety of materials . . . see the ideas listed and let the children be creative (and an opportunity to develop cross-curricular links)

Designing a Seed

Using junk materials to make their seed, this activity provides an opportunity for creative thinking and developing literacy and presentation skills - children are asked to design a seed from a newly discovered plant and their discussions can link to the topics of both seed germination and seed dispersal.