Where Poison Grows Lesson Plan

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Academic Standards

 

Reading Objective:

Children will identify why some plants are poisonous.

 

Science Focus:

plant adaptations

 

ELA Skills:

key details, vocabulary, writing, classifying

 

Page 4 Skill:

read a diagram

 

Vocabulary:

sap, protects, toxic

 

CCSS:

RI.2.1 key details; RI.2.2 identify the main topic; RI.2.4 determine meanings of words; RI.2.10 read informational texts; W.2.1 writing; W.2.8 recall information; SL.2.1 collaborative conversations; SL.2.3 ask and answer questions

 

Lexile level: 

540L

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Provide students with some background on plant adaptations.

Build background knowledge (10 min.)

Watch our video “Killer Plants." After children have finished watching the video, discuss the following question:

  • What does it mean for a plant to be carnivorous?

Set a purpose for reading (5 min.)

  • Pass out the issue, and discuss the cover. Would any students like to visit the Poison Garden?
  • Next, read the As You Read prompt on page 2: “Think about why some plants are poisonous.” Encourage children to think about this prompt as they read.

Read together (20 min.)

Pass out the Read and Think printable. Use it to check comprehension as you read the issue together, pausing to ask the questions. 

 

Review vocabulary (3 min.)

Next, play the online vocabulary slideshow. This issue’s featured words are sap, protects, and toxic.

 

Assessment: Reading Quiz

Pass out the Reading Quiz to review key concepts from the issue and assess students’ proficiency on key nonfiction reading skills.

  • The “Build a Plant” game reinforces plant parts while letting kids design their own wacky plant!

You can use our printable worksheets to focus on important ELA skills. Here's how.

ELA Focus: Vocabulary (15 min.)

  • Use the Word Work printable to deepen students’ understanding of the words sap, protects, and toxic.

Editor’s Pick: Writing, Classifying (15 min.)

  • Students make their own handy guide by describing the danger of each plant they read about with the Poison Garden Guidebook skill sheet.

ELA Focus: Writing (15 min.)

  • Students can use the Design a Poison Plant skill sheet to describe and illustrate their very own dangerous plant.

After reading “Where Poison Grows,” use one of our Anytime skill sheets to extend your lesson!

  • Pass out the “My Opinion” page. Would your students like to visit the Poison Garden? Why or why not?

Here are two past issues you can use to extend your lesson on plant adaptations:

  • “This Plant Stinks!,” April 2020. Students will explore plants that have very unusual adaptations with this issue.
  • “The Tough Seeds,” March 2023. This issue compares how three seeds have adapted for dispersal.

You can find a higher-Lexile-level and a lower-Lexile-level version of the article online here:

  • Higher Lexile level: 650L
  • Lower Lexile level: 470L