How do trees grow and change?

Preparation

Obtain an apple. Pupils might need access to a dictionary or the internet to answer questions on the worksheet. Collect the materials listed for the investigation worksheet (acorns, water, seed raising mix, small trowels, gardening gloves, plastic pots with holes in the bottom).

If a nature walk with the pupils to collect acorns is not possible, purchase some online. An alternative is using fast-growing broad bean seeds instead of acorns.

Curriculum links

Plants

• • Observe and describe how seeds and bulbs grow into mature plants.

Suggested teaching strategies

• • As a class, create an anchor chart labelling the features of a plant using correct vocabulary.
  • A whole class plant diary can be kept to track changes and record the stages of the plant life cycle.

Introduction

Cut an apple in half. Show the pupils the uncut side. Discuss what they know about apples and how they grow into apple trees. Show them the cut side with the seeds displayed. Talk about how the tiny seeds grow into tall trees. Discuss the ways trees grow and change. Ask if the pupils think all trees look the same all year long. If not, how do they change?

Display the digital lesson on your smartboard to introduce how plants change.

The summary and worksheet pages should be used together.

Development

Provide pupils with the summary and worksheet to complete.

The aim of the investigation worksheet is for pupils to collect fallen acorns from around local oak trees, plant the seeds they contain, then predict how their seeds will grow.

Differentiation

• Assist less able pupils by using a time-lapse video of a plant’s life stages, with pupils describing what is happening at each stage.
• More able pupils may use a dictionary or the internet to identify what a pomologist does and explore other professions that work with plants.

Conclusion

When all pupils have completed the investigation worksheet, assign the class the task of keeping watch of their planted oak tree and noting when any change occurs.

Assessment

Worksheet answers
1. 4, 3, 6, 2, 1, 5 (is a seed, roots grow, a stem grows, branches grow, leaves grow, is called a seedling)
2. The tree is (over) ten years old.
3. roots – take water and nutrients from the soil; trunk – takes water and nutrients from the roots to the leaves; leaves – use sunlight for energy to make food
4. Answers should indicate that a seed landing in cold, dry soil will not open and start to grow. Seeds only open when there is enough moisture and warmth in the soil.
5. Teacher check

The uses and implications of science question
A pomologist studies fruit and nut trees. He or she may specialise in developing new fruits, discovering existing fruits, handling crop pests, coping with changing climatic conditions, and other issues which pertain to the cultivation, harvest and sale of fruit.

Investigation worksheet answers
1. Teacher check. The tree drawn should resemble the tree the seed came from.
2. Trees keep growing throughout their lives. They will only stop growing if destroyed by nature (fire, lightning, floods, parasites, other plants and animals, etc.) or people (fire, pollution, poisons, logging, etc.), or if they don’t get enough water, soil nutrients or sunlight.
3. Teacher check