# Lesson 153: Plant observation journal

🔬 SCIENCE (40 Lessons) • 🟠 E. Science Projects

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## Objective

I can look closely at a plant, notice its parts and changes, and record what I see in a simple plant journal using words, dates, and drawings.

## Materials

- One real plant in a pot, a small garden plant, or a clear photo of a plant
- Notebook or science journal for plant observations
- Crayons, markers, or coloured pencils
- Ruler (optional) to measure plant height or leaf length
- Clipboard or firm surface if observing outside

## Mini-lesson — What is a plant observation journal?

Scientists often keep a journal to write or draw what they see. You can be a young scientist and keep a plant observation journal.

Looking closely at plants

- A plant has parts like stem, leaves, flowers, and sometimes roots you can see.
- When we observe, we use our eyes to notice shape, colour, and size.
- We look carefully, not quickly, so we can see small details.

What goes in a plant journal?

- The date when you look at the plant.
- A picture of the plant or of one part.
- Simple words or sentences about what you see.
- Notes about changes, such as new leaves or a taller stem.

What do plants need?

- Plants need light, water, and air to grow.
- Many plants also need soil to hold the roots and store water and food.
- If a plant gets too little water or light, it may look droopy or dry.

Why do we observe more than once?

- Plants often change slowly over days and weeks.
- When we look again and again, we can see new growth.
- A journal helps us remember what the plant looked like before and after.

When you keep a plant journal, you are acting like a scientist, using careful eyes and curious questions.

Picture strip: Plant and journal

Parts of a plant

Plant journal page

## Guided Practice — Start your plant journal

You will choose one plant to watch and begin a plant observation journal with an adult.

1. Choose a plant: Pick one plant in a pot, in a garden, or by a window. This will be your journal plant.
2. Look closely: Spend a short time just looking. Notice the stem, leaves, flowers, and colour.
3. Draw the plant: In your notebook, draw a simple picture of the whole plant. Add a few details like leaf shapes.
4. Add the date: At the top of the page, write today's date.
5. Label parts: With an adult, label stem, leaf, flower, and pot or soil if you can see them.
6. Write what you see: Add one or two short sentences, such as "The leaves are bright green." or "The plant is as tall as my hand."
7. Use the tracing pad: Choose words like plant, leaf, stem, root, water, or grow and trace them slowly.
8. Share out loud: Tell an adult one thing you observed and show your journal page.

Tracing Pad
Lines
Trace
Pen

## Practice 1 — Look for plant details

Use your observing eyes to notice small details of your plant and record them.

1. On a new page, write a small title such as "Plant Details".
2. Draw three small boxes. Above them, write "Leaf", "Stem", and "Flower" (if your plant has one).
3. In each box, draw that part of the plant as clearly as you can. Look carefully at shapes and colours.
4. Under each picture, write one describing word, such as "long", "round", "smooth", or "pointy".
5. With an adult, talk about which part looks the most interesting to you and why.

## Practice 2 — Record plant changes over time

Practise checking again on another day and recording how your plant changes.

1. Leave space in your journal for another day. On the next line, write "Next visit" and leave it blank for now.
2. On a different day, come back to your plant. Write the new date and look closely again.
3. Draw the plant again, or just draw one part that has changed, such as a new leaf or a taller stem.
4. Write one or two sentences about any changes you notice. For example: "Two new leaves have opened." or "The flower has started to fade."
5. Talk with an adult about why it is useful to record changes instead of trying to remember everything in your head.

## Practice 3 — What does my plant need?

Think about and record what your plant needs to stay healthy.

1. On a new page, draw your plant in the middle. Around it, draw four small picture boxes and label them "Light", "Water", "Air", and "Soil".
2. In each box, draw how your plant gets that thing, such as sun in a window or watering can.
3. With an adult, talk about what might happen if the plant did not get enough water or light.
4. Write one promise to yourself about how you will help look after the plant, such as "I will remind my family to water the plant."
5. Share your page with someone and explain what plants need to grow well.

## Quick Check — Plant observation journal

Answer each question about plants, observations, and journals.

1) What is an observation?

A wild guess without looking. Something you notice by looking carefully. A song you sing at lunchtime.
An observation is what you notice using your senses, such as your eyes.

2) Which of these is a plant part?

Helmet. Pencil. Leaf.
A leaf is a part of many plants.

3) What should you always write at the top of a plant journal page?

The date. Your favourite cartoon. The weather from last month.
Writing the date helps you remember when you made that observation.

4) Why might you draw your plant in your journal?

So you do not have to look at it. To show what it looks like now. To hide it from everyone.
A drawing helps show what the plant looks like at that time.

5) Which set of words all belong to plants?

Rocket, cloud, toothbrush. Pillow, chair, spoon. Stem, leaf, flower.
Stem, leaf, and flower are all plant parts.

6) Which sentence is an observation?

"The leaves are bright green." "I wish the plant could fly." "Plants are boring."
Saying the leaves are bright green describes what you see.

7) Why do we look at the same plant more than once?

To forget what it looks like. To see how it changes and grows. To make it disappear.
Looking again helps us notice changes over time.

8) Which things do plants need to grow?

Toys and pillows. Shoes and hats. Light, water, air, and soil.
Plants need light, water, air, and usually soil to grow well.

9) Where are a plant's roots usually found?

In the soil. Flying in the sky. Inside a backpack.
Roots are usually in the soil, holding the plant in place.

10) If you see new leaves on your plant, what should you write in your journal?

Nothing, it does not matter. A note that new leaves have grown. A story about a dragon.
Writing about new leaves helps you remember how the plant changed.

11) Which list shows good journal steps?

Hide the plant, close your eyes, guess. Scribble quickly, throw the page away, forget it. Look carefully, draw, write the date, add a few words.
Careful looking, drawing, and writing with a date are good journal steps.

12) A child writes, "The flower is drooping and the soil is very dry." What might the plant need?

Some water. More pillows. A new television.
Dry soil and drooping flowers may mean the plant needs water.

13) Which sentence is best for a plant journal?

"I think plants are magic." "The stem is tall and has three new leaves." "I want to go swimming."
The sentence about the stem and leaves describes what you see.

14) Which set of words all match this lesson?

Train, tunnel, ticket. Helmet, skateboard, ramp. Plant, leaf, journal, date.
Plant, leaf, journal, and date all belong to this plant observation lesson.

15) Why is it important for children to keep a plant observation journal?

It helps them notice nature, practise careful looking, and learn how plants grow. So they never go outside again. So they do not have to look at plants.
A plant journal helps children notice nature and understand how plants grow over time.

## Assessment (parent/teacher)

Student can explain in simple words why we observe plants and keep a plant journal. Student can name main plant parts such as stem, leaf, flower, and roots (if visible). Student records at least one date and drawing of their journal plant. Student can describe at least one change in the plant over time. Student uses words like plant, leaf, stem, grow, and soil correctly when talking about plants.

## Exit ticket (student)

😀 I understand how to watch a plant and write in my journal. 🙂 I know some things about plant journals but I still need more practice. 😅 Plant journals still feel a bit tricky to remember.

#### Next time I will practise…

Drawing plant parts carefully Writing the date on my journal page Noticing changes in my plant
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