Year 1 plants complete unit - Jack and the Beanstalk

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This unit uses the story of Jack and the Beanstalk to not only engage learners/provide a fun theme but importantly enhance scientific understanding through investigations such as is a beanstalk a tree?

In this unit children will be given a mystery seed from the bean seller in the story (teacher’s choice) and will every week use their increasing knowledge to investigate what the plant is.

The story will be embedded in other areas of the unit for instance children will use reasoning to decide if a beanstalk is a tree.

A ppt of 20+ slides is provided for every lesson and a word document of resources is provided including an overview of what teachers need to prepare in advance. Each lesson gives children an opportunity to reflect on their plant with questions that adapt based on their knowledge of the unit. A good example of this is in week four, children will be asked if they think their mystery seed is a tree.

In lesson 1 the story of Jack and the Beanstalk is provided alongside the lesson slides.

The aim of this unit is to limit the preparation needed for the teacher. The lesson slides can be picked up and taught fully from either by a teacher with a solid understanding of the prior and future learning of a given class or by a teacher who may be covering an isolated lesson. The lessons are fully editable allowing teachers to edit based on individual class needs.

Lesson 1 -To describe and compare seeds, bulbs and plants.
Lesson 2 - To name and compare the parts of plants.
Lesson 3 - To name and identify common garden and wild plants.
Lesson 4 - To name and identify common trees.
Lesson 5 - To name and identify common fruit and vegetable plants.

Every lesson starts with a rewind task. These are varied and provide an opportunity for the teacher to quickly asses what children have remembered and any potential gaps in knowledge. This also puts relevant prior learning in the forefront of children’s minds ready to apply to new knowledge .

This then starts the effective build up of learning through carefully designed small steps. Children are actively involved in their learning throughout with opportunities to reflect, talk with a partner as well as engage in whole class discussions.

Reasoning and oracy opportunities are embedded throughout. With stem sentences provided to ensure children are able to eloquently express their understanding and focus on the science.

Lessons are designed to ensure all learners are on the ‘journey’ together. Helping hands provide additional support to ensure children are accessing the main learning where as chilli challenges aim to expand/challenging children’s learning with open ended exercises. Challenges are provided to all learners. The ’ differentiation ’ is based on how children access the challenge.

Vocabulary is explicitly taught and is repeated throughout the unit to ensure embedded learning.