Lesson 153: Plant observation journal

Objective

I can look closely at a plant, notice its parts and changes, and record what I see in a simple plant journal using words, dates, and drawings.

Materials

• One real plant in a pot, a small garden plant, or a clear photo of a plant
• Notebook or science journal for plant observations
• Crayons, markers, or coloured pencils
• Ruler (optional) to measure plant height or leaf length
• Clipboard or firm surface if observing outside

Mini-lesson — What is a plant observation journal?

Guided Practice — Start your plant journal

You will choose one plant to watch and begin a plant observation journal with an adult.

1. Choose a plant: Pick one plant in a pot, in a garden, or by a window. This will be your journal plant.
2. Look closely: Spend a short time just looking. Notice the stem, leaves, flowers, and colour.
3. Draw the plant: In your notebook, draw a simple picture of the whole plant. Add a few details like leaf shapes.
4. Add the date: At the top of the page, write today's date.
5. Label parts: With an adult, label stem, leaf, flower, and pot or soil if you can see them.
6. Write what you see: Add one or two short sentences, such as "The leaves are bright green." or "The plant is as tall as my hand."
7. Use the tracing pad: Choose words like plant, leaf, stem, root, water, or grow and trace them slowly.
8. Share out loud: Tell an adult one thing you observed and show your journal page.

Tracing Pad

Lines Primary lines Baseline only Grid Blank Trace (none) plant leaf leaves stem root roots flower bud seed soil water light sun grow tall green journal

Pen Clear

Tip: As you trace each word, imagine looking closely at your plant and saying, "I am a careful observer."

Practice 1 — Look for plant details

Use your observing eyes to notice small details of your plant and record them.

1. On a new page, write a small title such as "Plant Details".
2. Draw three small boxes. Above them, write "Leaf", "Stem", and "Flower" (if your plant has one).
3. In each box, draw that part of the plant as clearly as you can. Look carefully at shapes and colours.
4. Under each picture, write one describing word, such as "long", "round", "smooth", or "pointy".
5. With an adult, talk about which part looks the most interesting to you and why.

Practice 2 — Record plant changes over time

Practise checking again on another day and recording how your plant changes.

1. Leave space in your journal for another day. On the next line, write "Next visit" and leave it blank for now.
2. On a different day, come back to your plant. Write the new date and look closely again.
3. Draw the plant again, or just draw one part that has changed, such as a new leaf or a taller stem.
4. Write one or two sentences about any changes you notice. For example: "Two new leaves have opened." or "The flower has started to fade."
5. Talk with an adult about why it is useful to record changes instead of trying to remember everything in your head.

Practice 3 — What does my plant need?

Think about and record what your plant needs to stay healthy.

1. On a new page, draw your plant in the middle. Around it, draw four small picture boxes and label them "Light", "Water", "Air", and "Soil".
2. In each box, draw how your plant gets that thing, such as sun in a window or watering can.
3. With an adult, talk about what might happen if the plant did not get enough water or light.
4. Write one promise to yourself about how you will help look after the plant, such as "I will remind my family to water the plant."
5. Share your page with someone and explain what plants need to grow well.

Quick Check — Plant observation journal

Answer each question about plants, observations, and journals.

Assessment (parent/teacher)

Exit ticket (student)