Plant Parts Unit - Structures & Functions Activities for Fourth & Fifth Grades

Explore parts of a plant with hands-on biology activities. Students examine internal and external structures and functions of seeds, flowers, roots, stems, and leaves; conduct flower dissection and germination labs; explore dispersal and photosynthesis; learn about xylem and phloem; and more! Video links, writing prompts, review, assessment, and materials to create a growing display are also included in this unit.

Open the preview to take a closer look at the life science bundle. Fourth or fifth grade students investigate five structures of plants. Activities focus on functions of each (specifically, for survival, growth, and reproduction.)

Seeds, Germination, and Dispersal

• Kids learn about parts of monocots and dicots (seed coat, cotyledon, hilum, plumule, radicle, and endosperm). They observe seeds, draw them, and compare on a Venn diagram.
• Next, students germinate seeds in baggie gardens. They observe and record for eight days.
• Afterward, they explain germination by writing sequence paragraphs.
• Directions for growing plants on a bulletin board are also included. By starting seeds day after day, you can display the sequence in your classroom.
• To explore dispersal, kids watch a video and take notes. Then they participate in one or two STEM challenges to design seeds that can be carried by an animal or the wind.

Flowers and Pollination

• Using an informational text and diagram, students learn about parts of a flower: pistils (stigma, style, ovary), stamen (anther, filament), petals, sepals, and receptacles. They watch a video on pollination and complete a worksheet.
• Kids dissect flowers, count and measure parts, draw and record data.
• As a culmination, they write a sequence paragraph on the function of pollination of plants.

Roots, Stems, and Transportation of Water

• Students use paper towels to simulate plants with taproots, fibrous roots, and no roots.
• They observe how colored water travels through a stalk of celery or carnation.
• Finally, they learn about xylem and phloem and complete a worksheet.

Leaves and Photosynthesis

• To build background knowledge, kids read basic information sheets on cells and chemical change.
• A simple plant diagram explains how roots take in water, leaves take in carbon dioxide, and the Sun provides energy. It explains that through a chemical reaction, glucose is formed and oxygen is released.
• An informative article explains the process at a higher level.
• Students move on to explore parts of a leaf.
• Finally, as an optional culminating activity, kids use small items (such as markers or candy) to simulate how atoms are rearranged during the chemical change.

Printable student pages are included in full color, as well as grayscale.

For a paperless experience, these pages are also included as digital Easel Activities.

Your students or homeschool group will love this unit – and you will too!

• Hands-on activities and illustrated texts engage kids in meaningful learning about plant parts.
• Lesson plans, schedules, material lists, and pictorial directions guide you through labs with ease.
• Activities address the intent of your standards. For example, if you teach NGSS 4-LS-1-1, your students will explore internal and external structures that support a plant’s survival and reproduction.
• Materials for labs are commonly found in your classroom, home, or grocery store.
• Answer keys are included.

Enjoy teaching biology!

Brenda Kovich

Standards Addressed:

• NGSS 4-LS1-1 - Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Washington, D.C.
• Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Indiana, Massachusetts, Montana, New York, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Wyoming 4-LS1-1
• Oklahoma 4.LS1.1
• Nebraska SC.4.6.3.B
• Utah 4.1.1
• Virginia 4.2.a, 4.2.b, 4.2.c
• Wisconsin SCI.LS1.A.4