Outstanding Observation Science Lesson Plant Growth

This Seed Growth Investigation resource is a structured KS1/KS2 science lesson that guides pupils through predicting, planning and explaining what a seed needs in order to grow. The lesson develops early scientific enquiry skills while building an understanding of plant life cycles.

Pupils begin by writing a simple prediction with support, identifying basic factors such as water, sunlight, air and soil. As they progress, they learn to work more independently, writing both a prediction and a method that describe how they will test seed growth using appropriate scientific vocabulary.

For higher-level learners, the resource encourages pupils to write a full prediction and method independently, demonstrating clear use of scientific terms such as germination, variables, conditions, and observation. This helps children move from guided writing to confident scientific explanation.

The activity can be used alongside a practical experiment—such as growing seeds in different conditions—to support enquiry skills, vocabulary development, and an understanding of how environmental factors affect germination. Clear success criteria allow for easy differentiation and assessment, making the resource suitable for mixed-ability classes.