All standards
2-LS2-1 · Science
Ecosystems
Your child should set up a simple experiment to prove that plants need sunlight and water — not just know it, but TEST it.
What the standard actually says
Plan and conduct an investigation to determine if plants need sunlight and water to grow.
Domain: Ecosystems — Understanding how plants and animals depend on their environment and each other.
Next Generation Science Standards*Examples and home activities
- Grow two identical plants: one in sunlight, one in a dark closet. Observe for 2 weeks.
- Water one plant regularly and not the other. Record what happens with drawings!
Printable practice worksheet — 2-LS2-1
Name: ______________________ Date: ____________ Standard: 2-LS2-1
1. What did you observe? Draw it.
2. Write one question you want to investigate.
3. What do you predict will happen? Why?
4. Record your data in a simple chart.
5. What did you find out?
6. What would you change if you tried again?
secondgrade.com · Science · 2-LS2-1
Lessons that teach this
16 lessons list 2-LS2-1.
Week 7
- Monday · Science — Students plan and set up an investigation to find out whether plants need water and sunlight to grow (2-LS2-1).
- Wednesday · Science — Students observe the four seed bags, record changes, and plant a bean in soil to begin a longer growth test (2-LS2-1).
- Friday · Science — Students use evidence from the seed bags to conclude that plants need water to sprout and light to grow green and strong (2-LS2-1).
Week 8
- Monday · Science — Students identify the parts of a plant and explain how the stem carries water to the leaves (2-LS2-1, 2-LS4-1).
- Wednesday · Science — Students compare animal body structures, such as beaks and feet, and explain how each structure helps the animal get food (2-LS4-1).
Week 12
- Monday · Science — Students review what plants need by comparing two seedlings grown under different conditions and restate evidence-based claims from the unit (2-LS2-1).
- Friday · Science — Students summarize the unit by stating three claims with evidence about plant needs, habitats, and interdependence, and celebrate with a plant and animal poster (2-LS2-1, 2-LS2-2, 2-LS4-1).
Week 27
- Monday · Science — Students will observe that plants need sunlight and water to grow and begin to explain that animals depend on plants for food and shelter (2-LS2-1, 2-LS2-2).
- Wednesday · Science — Students will model how animals help plants by carrying pollen and seeds, and record early results from the bean cups (2-LS2-1, 2-LS2-2).
- Friday · Science — Students will use evidence from the bean cups and pollinator model to conclude that plants need sun and water and that plants and animals depend on each other (2-LS2-1, 2-LS2-2).
Week 31
- Monday · Science — Students will describe the stages of a plant life cycle and begin a sprouting investigation to observe the first stage firsthand (2-LS4-1, review of 2-LS2-1).
- Wednesday · Science — Students will compare the life cycles of a frog, a butterfly, and a bean plant and identify what the three have in common (2-LS4-1).
- Friday · Science — Students will draw conclusions about how living things grow and change and create a life cycle wheel that shows the cycle repeating (2-LS4-1).
Week 36
- Monday · Science — Students will review the year's science units by sorting portfolio work into topics and choosing their best piece from each (2-PS1-1, 2-LS2-1, 2-LS4-1, 2-ESS2-1, K-2-ETS1-1).
- Wednesday · Science — Students will write a caption for each portfolio piece explaining the science idea it shows and the evidence behind it (all Grade 2 science standards reviewed).
- Friday · Science — Students will present their science portfolio, reflect on their growth as a scientist, and receive awards tied to real skills demonstrated during the year (all Grade 2 science standards reviewed).
Where it lives in our curriculum
This standard is taught in these weeks: