To make science content knowledge more interesting and accessible to elementary students, use trade picture books to introduce scientific facts as part of an elementary science lesson plan. While doing so, elementary teachers can pair fiction and nonfiction books on the same topic to expose young readers to a variety of different kinds of texts.
To introduce the dandelion life cycle to primary students, use the juvenile fiction books The Dandelion Seed by Joseph Anthony [DAWN Publications, 1997] and Dandelions: Stars in the Grass by Mia Posada [Carolrhoda Books, Inc., 2000] with a juvenile nonfiction book that includes scientific information about dandelions, such as Flowers, illustrated by Rene Mettler and created by Gallimard Jeunesse and Rene Mettler [Cartwheel Books, 1993].
Once primary teachers and students have used these trade picture books to go over each step in the life cycle of dandelions, teachers can assess students' understanding of the process by asking them to create a cycle diagram that illustrates this plant life cycle.
Pair Fiction and Nonfiction Texts – Read Fiction
Begin by sharing Dandelions: Stars in the Grass with students, possibly as part of a dandelion-themed figurative language elementary language arts lesson plan. After reading the book once, skim through it again and have students fill in a sequence of events chart to record each event that happens to the dandelions during the course of this book.
Next, share The Dandelion Seed with students, possibly as part of a dandelion-themed personification elementary language arts lesson plan. Again, after reading the book once, skim back through it and record details about the life cycle of the dandelion seed in a second sequence of events chart.
Pair Fiction and Nonfiction Texts – Read Nonfiction
Once students have gathered facts about the dandelion life cycle from juvenile fiction trade picture books, share a juvenile nonfiction book with information about how dandelions grow. For example, Flowers has a detailed two-page spread that illustrates the life of a dandelion plant from growing buds to releasing seeds. Have students compare the facts from the nonfiction text with those found in the fiction texts and write down any new information about dandelions that the class discovers.
Elementary Science Lesson Plan – Dandelion Life Cycle Diagram
For assessment, have students use what they have learned to write a list of the steps in the life cycle of the dandelion. Younger students should do this together as a class with plenty of teacher help. The number of steps and details included will vary depending on the ability level of students.
A sample set of complete, detailed steps might look as follows:
- Dandelion seed is planted in soil.
- Roots grow down.
- A shoot with leaves grows up.
- The plant grows green buds.
- The buds open and become yellow flowers.
- Bees and butterflies visit the flowers.
- The petals fall off.
- A circle of seeds forms.
- The seeds blow away on the wind.
Primary teachers can also discuss the role sunlight and water play in helping dandelions to grow.
Once the list is complete, have students illustrate each step and connect the steps with arrows to create a cycle diagram that illustrates the life cycle of a dandelion.
Because it is a season of growth and renewal, spring is an excellent time of year to read picture books about and to discuss plant life cycles. Once students have learned about dandelions, try other spring-themed lesson plans about eggs and animal life cycles, the changing of the seasons, mud, and seeds.
Renee Carver - Renée Carver has an Elementary Education degree and over ten years of experience writing and editing children's educational products.
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