Elementary Science Units - Make Teaching Plant Life Cycles Easy

elementary science units on plant life cycle for 2nd grade blog post image

There really is no better time to introduce little learners to the life cycle of plants, than the Spring! Plants and flowers are blooming every day, so what better way for them to experience some hands-on learning as well?! In this post, I will share with you some easy elementary science units with life cycle lesson plans for 2nd grade.

Topics to Cover When making elementary science units for 2nd grade

It can be overwhelming, however, with where to start. There are so many concepts that students can learn about plant life cycles. But, I like to start off with the basics, especially for elementary science units! Start simple and first introduce students to the various parts of a plant – the seed, sprout, seedling, just to name a few.

Next, students should be aware of what a plant needs in order to grow. Instruct students that plants need water and sunlight to grow. Another great concept to ensure your students understand is the process of how a plant grows.

Books and Nonfiction Readers: Elementary Science Units for 2nd Grade

As always, my top way to introduce students to a lesson or unit is through mentor texts! Some of my favorites include The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle, The Amazing Life Cycle of Plants by Kay Barnham, and I Can Grow a Flower by DK. Students become so engaged in lessons that involve read-alouds. This is also the perfect opportunity for them to discuss and grow critical thinking and listening skills.

Show Your Class Diagrams and Posters

life cycle of a plant diagram for elementary science units

Second-grade students are visual learners! One of the best ways to incorporate visual representation in the classroom is through diagrams and posters. Show your students diagrams of the parts of a plant as well as the plant life cycle. Post them on the wall or print out smaller versions for your students’ notebooks.

Sort the Stages From First to Last

life cycle lesson plans for 2nd grade worksheets for elementary science units

A fun hands-on activity for students is to have them sort the stage of a plant life cycle from the first event to the last. Once again, this is a great activity for your visual learners.

Use Fun Flipbooks as a Mini End of the Unit Project

life cycles of a plant flip book for elementary science units

For an interactive assessment, or as a way to wrap up the unit, allow students to assemble a flipbook about the life-cycle of a plant. This is a great way for students to have a hands-on activity as well as showcase what they have learned.

FREE Science Anchor Charts

Who doesn’t love saving money! Grab some fun science anchor charts HERE. Easily map out engaging science anchor charts with the help of these fun templates! Grab it now and be prepared.

Shop this Post: Elementary life cycle science units for 2nd grade

Your class will have fun learning about the life cycles of a plant with these life cycle lesson plans for 2nd grade. The activities in this post are from my Plant Life Cycles Activity pack.

Click HERE for the printable unit and HERE for the digital version. OR save money by purchasing the paper and digital bundle HERE.

Also, be sure to save this post by pinning this to your Pinterest account. That way, you can easily come back to these life cycle lesson plans for 2nd grade.