1. Set up the following class demonstrations to introduce plant parts and functions.
   • Bring a potted plant to class and have the class observe the plant. Next, cover one branch and its leaves with a clear plastic bag and make a tight seal around the branch. Ask students to look at the branch, leaves, and plastic bag as soon as it has been attached. Water the plant as needed and observe the bag over the next couple of days. Condensation should develop inside the bag. Ask students to tell you why this is happening. This is an easy way to demonstrate transpiration from the leaves.
   • To demonstrate the function of xylem, put cut stalks of celery in clear jars with water. Make a fresh cut at the bottom of the celery stalk prior to adding them to the water. Add red or blue food coloring to one jar. Have students observe the celery over the next day. Ask them why the leaves of one stalk of celery are turning the color of the food coloring. White carnation flowers may also be used for this demonstration.
   • Both of these demonstrations lead into the student handout, Plant Parts and Functions. Go over this informational handout together as a class.
2. Review Plant Parts and Functions Lab.
   • Lead students in a demonstration of set up for the "Stomata Observation" activity and facilitate a discussion of the questions to be answered in the activity.
   • Lead students in a demonstration of set up for the Chloroplast Observation activity and facilitate a discussion of the questions to be answered in the activity.
3. After students have completed the Stomata and Chloroplast Observations, have a class discussion about what students observed. Draw labeled diagrams on the board to reinforce specific plant structures and functions.
4. As a conclusion to your discussion, ask students the following riddles about plants they eat.
   • My taproot gathers nutrients from the surrounding soil. I am orange and I have feathery green leaves with veins in a netted pattern. Rabbits and people like to eat me.
     • What am I? carrot
     • What plant part am I? root
   • I transport water, nutrients, and food the plant makes for itself. I have tubes that act as roadways for water, nutrients, and the food I make. I have green shoots which are harvested after about 2 years when they are about 9" tall. I am often steamed or boiled for a healthy side dish.
     • What am I? asparagus
     • What plant part am I? stem
   • I attract insects so that I can become pollinated and produce seeds. I am white and a member of the cabbage family. Some people say I look like clouds.
     • What am I? cauliflower
     • What part of the plant am I? flower
   • I have lots of iron. I use sunlight, carbon dioxide, nutrients, and water to make food for myself and the rest of my plant parts. I go well with salads. Popeye is a big fan.
     • What am I? spinach
     • What plant part am I? leaf
   • If planted and the conditions are right, I will grow into a tree. I have a light tan shell that easily splits in two and greenish colored nut. I grow on trees and have become a popular nut to grow in California. I start with a “P.”
     • What am I? pistachio
     • What plant part am I? seed
   • I am the yellowish-orange fleshy substance around a large seed. I protect the seed and encourage insects or larger animals to eat me so that my seeds can be dispersed. I have fuzzy skin.
     • What am I? peach
     • What plant part am I? fruit

Variations

• Have students draw their own plant, label the parts, and describe the functions of each plant part.
• Begin the lesson by making a KWL chart with your class. Have students copy the chart onto a piece of notebook paper. Conclude with a class exercise to complete the chart, filling in any of the blank spaces that were not filled in at the beginning of the lesson.

ELL Adaptations

• This lesson incorporates hands-on activities. Kinesthetic learning events provide an excellent learning environment for English language learners.
• Demonstrate all lab procedures to the class before they begin the lab.
• Add new vocabulary to a word wall and match photos to the new words.