Virginia SOL 1.4.a

Science1st GradeLiving Systems and Processes

The Standard

plants need nutrients, air, water, light, and a place to grow

Virginia Standards of Learning for Science

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students identify the resources a plant uses to stay alive and grow. They explain that plants use water, nutrients, air, and light, and need enough room for roots and stems.
What Mastery Looks Like: Given picture cards, students select light, water, air, nutrients, and space while rejecting items such as toys or milk. They predict how missing one need can affect growth.
Common Misconceptions: Students may think plants eat soil or that soil is always required. They may confuse sunlight with warmth. Some believe extra water always helps a plant grow.
How to Assess It: Exit ticket: Draw a plant and label five things it needs from its surroundings. Circle one need and write what may happen without it.

Lesson moves

Plant bean seedlings in clear cups, then compare one watered plant with one unwatered plant while keeping light and location the same.
Ask, "What would happen if a plant had water but stayed inside a dark box?" Students draw and explain a prediction.
Play Plant Needs Relay: teams sort picture cards labeled light, water, air, nutrients, space, candy, toys, and milk onto two mats.
Walk around the school garden and mark places where a new plant would get light, water, air, nutrients, and enough space.

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A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 1.4.a, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

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