More about plant adaptations
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe the key features of a plant adapted to suit its habitat.
Key learning points
- Plants have special features, or adaptations, that help them to survive, live and grow in their habitats.
- Leaf shape is an adaptation that can help plants to survive in their habitats.
- Scientists can record their ideas using labelled scientific diagrams.
Keywords
Habitat - The place where a plant or animal lives is called its habitat.
Adaptation - An adaptation is a feature of a plant or animal that helps them to survive in their habitat.
Survive - To survive means to continue to stay alive.
Photosynthesis - The way in which plants make food in their leaves is called photosynthesis.
Environment - An environment is the surroundings or conditions that an animal or plant lives in.
Common misconception
Pupils may think that plants can decide or choose to grow in whatever way they think is best.
Explain that plant adaptations are inherited characteristics and the plant does not have any choice or understanding of its adaptations.
Teacher tip
Children will be testing their leaf shapes using pipettes, but you could also have a watering can on hand to model a rainforest downpour to add excitement to the activity. You could also allow children to cut out and test their own design at the end of the lesson if there is time.
Equipment
See Additional materials for guidance and leaf templates.
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - equipment
Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these pictures shows a rainforest habitat?
Q2.What is the weather like in a tropical rainforest environment?
Q3.Which part of a plant gathers sunlight to make food for the plant?
Q4.An adaptation is…
Q5.What is an inherited characteristic?
Q6.Match the plant adaptation to the habitat it is suited for.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these leaves have adaptations to drain water off them in very rainy habitats?
Q2.Scientists can use labelled scientific to record their ideas.
Q3.How do plants get their natural leaf shape?
Q4.Which of these characteristics would help plants to survive in a very rainy environment?
Q5.Why do some leaves have a pointed tip that points downwards at the end?
Q6.Why does this potted plant still have adaptations for rainforest habitats, even though it is living in a cool, dry house?
To help you plan your 6 science lesson on: More about plant adaptations, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 science lesson on: More about plant adaptations, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 science lessons from the Evolution and inheritance unit, dive into the full primary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.