How does the plant get its food?

    The concept of photosynthesis is a difficult one for youngsters ages four and five.  Only one child of all 140 kindergartners had heard of photosynthesis.     However, they can understand that the plant makes its own food using the energy from the sun.  And, this is an extremely important concept underlying the idea of energy transfer and food webs, ideas that were critical in our planned curriculum unit on "energy in the garden"

    Recommended children's literature:  The Magic School Bus  Gets Planted by Joanne Cole,  I am a Leaf, by Jean Marzollo. 

   Following a video presentation  of the Magic School Bus Gets Planted, one of our kindergarten classes did an investigation of what happens when a plants leaves are cut off.   After only three weeks, the plant without the leaves was turning brown and the stems were weaker than before.

Home Page |  Energy in the Garden |  Constructing Knowledge  |  How Plants Grow  |  Top of Page