Exploring Plants and Transport

Monday 6th January 2025

Theme: Plants

Subtheme: What Are Plants?

Duration: 20 minutes
Age Group: 4 to 5 years old
Curriculum Area: Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) - Understanding the World, Communication and Language, Expressive Arts and Design
Level: Reception

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Learning Objectives

1. To explore and identify what plants are.
2. To develop an understanding of plants as living things.
3. To enhance vocabulary for describing plants (e.g., flower, tree, leaf).
4. To foster curiosity about the natural environment.

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Resources Required

• Visual aids: Pictures or flashcards showing a variety of plants (e.g., trees, flowers, bushes, grass).
• Real plants or potted flowers for hands-on activity.
• Magnifying glasses (optional).
• Chart paper and markers for group work.
• Wiggle room for movement breaks.

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Lesson Structure

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

Activity: Circle Time Chat

• Gather children in a cosy circle on the mat.
• Greet everyone with a song: "Good Morning to You" (encourage soft claps).
• Prompt the discussion: “What do you notice when you go outside? Have you seen trees, grass, or flowers? What do you think plants are?”
• Provide simple prompts about plants as living things (e.g., they grow, they need water).

Key Vocabulary to Introduce: plant, tree, flower, grow, living, green.

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2. Exploration (10 minutes)

Activity: "Plant Detectives"

• Show students a variety of plant-based pictures and discuss their similarities: “What do all of these have in common?”
• Bring out real plants (set on a small table).
• Allow children to observe the plants closely, asking questions like:
  • “What do you see on this plant?”
  • “What colour is it? Can we touch it gently?”
  • “Does it smell like something?”

Movement Mini-Break:

• Between observations, encourage children to mimic a plant growing:
  • Start as a seed curled up on the ground.
  • Slowly stretch and “grow tall like a tree.”

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3. Consolidation (5 minutes)

Activity: "What Is a Plant?" Chart

• Divide students into small groups (4-5 children).
• Provide each group with a simple diagram on chart paper.
• Label the sections: Tree, Flower, Leaf.
• Ask groups to draw or describe one plant they've observed.
• Assist by labelling their creations with new vocabulary.

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Assessment and Reflection

• Observe children’s contributions during circle time.
• Note the vocabulary used by the children during the activity.
• Listen for their understanding during group work (e.g., whether they mention plants growing or needing water).

Teacher Reflection:

• Did the children engage and show curiosity about plants?
• Which areas need revisiting tomorrow to deepen understanding?

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Extension Activity (Optional)

• Take the children on a short nature walk around the school garden at a later date.
• Ask them to identify plants they recognise from the lesson.

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Thursday Review:

During the daily review on Thursday, revisit what plants are with a short collaborative quiz:

• “What did we learn about plants?”
• Showcase their “What Is a Plant?” Chart in class for recognition and reinforcement.