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Plant Growth Affects the Soil

Students define nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium as soil nutrients, explain that plants use soil nutrients as they grow, discover that fertilizer replaces depleted nutrients, and analyze information on seed packets to determine the needs different plants have for growth.

Grades
3 – 5
Estimated Time
1.5 hours
Updated
August 13, 2024

Background

Lesson Activities

Credits

Author

Nutrients for Life Foundation

Acknowledgements

  • BSCS-Biological Science Curriculum Study
  • Reviewed by Smithsonian Institution

Standards

National Content Area Standards

  • Science
    • 5-ESS3: Earth and Human Activity
      • 5-ESS3-1: Obtain and combine information about ways individual communities use science ideas to protect the Earth's resources and environment.
    • 5-LS2: Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
      • 5-LS2-1: Develop a model to describe the movement of matter among plants, animals, decomposers, and the environment.