Plants: Supplemental Guide 1A | Introduction to Plants 25[Have students tell their partner whether they think there is a lot of soil in the
crack of the sidewalk. Call on a partner pair to share.]
Within the soil, there are some things the plant needs to grow: water
and nutrients. Nutrients in the soil are the plants’ food. Here in the
sidewalk, this dandelion gets plenty—or a lot—of sun, and it also gets
plenty of air.^ Even in this little crack, the dandelion gets food, water,
air, and sunlight, so it can grow. Show image 1A-3: Hardwood forest
This shady forest is home to plenty of different types of plants, from
the tallest tree to the tiniest flower. A forest is a large area of land
where many, many trees grow close together.[Have students say forest with you.]
Forests are home to not only different kinds of plants, but also to
plenty of different kinds of animals and insects, from the largest bear
to the tiniest ant. Show image 1A-4: Pine forest
This is another type of forest. Do you notice something different about
the trees?[Call on two volunteers to answer.]
The trees in this forest are different from the trees in the other forest.
Next week, you will learn about two different types of trees. Show image 1A-5: Desert cactus
Is this a picture of a forest?[Have students choral response, “No.”]
Not every place in the world has the same amount of food, water,
air, or light. This is a desert, where it is hot and dry with plenty of
sunshine all year round, or every day.[Have students say desert with you.]
Most plants on earth could not live in this hot and dry desert. But the
cactus can![Have students say cactus with you.]