Step by Step Experiments with Plants

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Step by Step Experiments With Plants

By Shirley Duke

Illustrated by Bob Ostrom

The Child’s World, 2012

Step by Step Series

ISBN #9781609735913

Grades 1-4

Nonfiction

“Have you seen plants growing? It is easy to find them. They grow almost everywhere! Some have big beautiful flowers. Some produce delicious fruits, nuts, and vegetables. They grow in gardens, on farms, and in the wild. Plants can be tiny or as tall as buildings.”

I had a busy year last year! I wrote this fun book about simple plant experiments and I love the design and expressive illustrations done by Bob Ostrom. Photos mix with the art to form easy-to-understand examples of the science experiments presented in it. The Child’s World has lovely books and many worth checking out.

An introduction provides basic plant information and the scientific method is explained as seven science steps. Four experiments then support the information
presented. Each step models the scientific method as it proceeds. All the experiments are kid-friendly and can be done by them without a great deal of supervision.

This is a great book for budding scientists (pun intended) and readers interested in conducting their own experiments. It sets up the pattern for a basic foundation in how scientists experiment and supports these first efforts. It makes a good start for science fair, too!

Activity

Choose one of the experiments from the book and carry it out. Use the steps to document the experiment you choose. Write up your results. Create your own form for presenting the steps followed in the experiment.

This site provides more information about seeds.

Brainpop has some good information.

National Science Standard: Structure and Function; Growth and Development of Organisms

Book provided as author copy