6th Grade Plant Life - The Flower Lesson Plan

Topic: Plant Life - The Flower

Objectives & Outcomes

• Students will be able to identify and describe the parts of a flower and the functions of each part.
• Students will be able to classify flowers according to their type and explain the process of pollination and fertilization.
• Students will be able to describe the process of germination and the role of a seed in this process.

Materials

• Pictures of different types of flowers
• Handouts with information about the parts of a flower and the functions of each part
• Reference material on pollination, fertilization, and germination

Warm-Up

• Show the students a picture of a flower and ask them to describe what they see. Encourage them to use descriptive words such as soft, colorful, beautiful.
• Write the word "flower" on the board and ask the students to think of as many words as they can that are related to flowers (e.g. bloom, pollen, seeds). Write the words on the board as well.

Direct Instruction

• Explain that flowers are the reproductive organs of plants and are used to attract pollinators (insects, birds, etc.) that help them reproduce.
• Show the students pictures of different types of flowers and ask them to identify what characteristics they see in each flower that makes it different from the others.
• Discuss the process of pollination, which is the transfer of pollen from the anthers to the stigma of a flower. Explain that pollen is the male reproductive cell of the flower and must be transferred to the female reproductive cell, the stigma, in order for fertilization to occur.
• Discuss the process of fertilization, which is the union of the male and female reproductive cells to form a seed.
• Explain the process of germination, which is the sprouting of the seed after it has been fertilized.

Guided Practice

• Divide the students into small groups and give each group a flower that has already been prepared (washed and provide with a small piece of cardboard to stand on).
• Have the students examine their flower and draw a diagram of its parts, including the stem, leaves, petals, and roots.
• Have the students identify the parts of the flower that are used for pollination and the parts that are used for fertilization and germination.
• Have the students use the markers and construction paper to create a poster that explains the function of each part of their flower.

Independent Practice

• Give each student a sheet of paper and have them draw a simple flower with five petals.
• Have the students use different colors of markers to color their flowers.
• Have the students use their colored flowers to create a collage or a poster that shows the different types of flowers and their different -shape and size.

Closure

• Have the students share their creations with the rest of the class.
• Ask the students to summarize what they have learned about flowers during the activity.

Assessment

• Observe the students as they work on their craft project and provide feedback on their understanding of the parts of a flower and the process of pollination and fertilization.
• Collect the completed craft projects and use them as an assessment of the students' understanding of the topic.