- Learning about life cycles of organisms is one of the kindergarten through fourth grade life science standards set forth in the National Science Education Standards. Teaching plant life cycles is an appropriate activity for primary grade students.
- Teach your students about plant life cycles by letting each student plant a fast-growing seed, such as a sunflower or a lima bean seed. Then, allow them to observe their plants as they grow from seeds into a full grown plant. Give the students different kinds of fruits and vegetables that have been cut in half and let them find and compare the seeds. Sequencing the steps of a life cycle is also an appropriate activity.
- There are many great books that teach young children about plant life cycles. Examples of fiction about plant life cycles include "The Tiny Seed" by Eric Carle and "Pumpkin Pumpkin" by Jeanne Titherington. For nonfiction, try "How a Seed Grows" by Helene J. Jordan, "From Seed to Plant" by Allan Fowler or "The Life Cycle of a Flower" by Molly Aloian and Bobbie Kalman.
- Field trips are a great way for students to experience a new science concept. Some ideas for field trips about plant life cycles include visits to a nursery, botanical gardens or a local science and nature center. Many of these places will have educational materials and programs to go with a plant life cycle unit.
- Tie in your study of plant life cycles to social studies. For example, teach your students about George Washington Carver and his work with peanuts and sweet potatoes.
- When studying plant life cycles, be sure to expose your students to different types of plant life cycles. Instead of just focusing on flowers, include other plants like vegetables and trees. Then, let students compare the different plants.
