Hello little explorers! Let’s talk about something really special today — our wonderful plant friends! Have you ever stopped to look at a tree and wondered, “What do you do for us?”
Well, let me tell you — plants do so much for us every single day! Come, let’s take a little walk through this leafy lesson together.
The Coconut Tree – A Superhero in Disguise!
Let’s begin with a very useful plant — the coconut tree.
Have you seen one? It’s tall, strong, and full of surprises!
- The fruit is delicious. We can eat the white part or drink its sweet water.
- The dry leaves can be used to start a fire.
- The sticks from leaves? Perfect for making a broom!
- The husk around the coconut? It can be used to make mats or even ropes!
Isn’t that amazing? So many things from just one tree!
Plants in the Kitchen!
Now think about your lunch or dinner. What’s on your plate?
Rice, vegetables, fruits, dal… guess where they all come from? Yes — plants!
From plants, we get:
- Grains like rice, wheat, ragi, and dal
- Vegetables like carrot, beans, brinjal, and greens
- Fruits like banana, mango, orange, and grapes
Even the leaves of some plants are used to serve food — like banana leaves during festivals. Have you eaten on one?
Plants Make the World Beautiful Too
Ever smelled a fresh jasmine flower? Or seen a bright red rose?
Plants don’t just feed us — they make our world look and smell beautiful!
Flowers like:
- Jasmine, rose, lily are used to decorate our homes and temples.
- They bring smiles and a lovely fragrance to our day.
Plants Can Heal Us Too
When you have a cough or fever, do your elders give you Tulsi leaves or a little neem juice?
Yes! Some plants are natural medicines.
Here are a few medicinal plants you might find at home:
- Tulsi
- Neem
- Lemon
- Turmeric
- Aloe vera
These little green healers help us feel better without any bitter pills!
Plants Help Animals Too
Let’s not forget our animal friends!
Cows, goats, elephants — they all munch on leaves and grass.
Many birds live in trees, and monkeys swing from branch to branch!
Let’s Remember
Plants give us:
- Food — like grains, vegetables, fruits
- Flowers for joy and beauty
- Medicines to heal us
- Leaves for cooking and eating
- Materials for mats, brooms, and ropes
- Even wood to build houses!
FAQs
Q: Why are plants important to us?
A: Plants give us food, medicine, shelter, and many other useful things like wood, flowers, and even ropes. They help us stay healthy and happy!
Q: Can animals live without plants?
A: No! Animals need plants for food and shelter — just like us.
Q: What are some plants we can grow at home?
A: You can grow Tulsi, aloe vera, curry leaves, mint, or even small flowering plants like jasmine!
Q: Why do we use banana leaves for meals sometimes?
A: Banana leaves are big, clean, and eco-friendly. They add a lovely smell to the food too!
Q: What should we do to take care of plants?
A: Water them regularly, give them sunlight, and never pluck leaves or flowers for fun. Be gentle and kind!
Take assessment:
1. Oral Questions (For classroom discussion or warm-up)
- What do we get from plants?
- Have you seen a coconut tree? What do we get from it?
- Can you name a fruit that grows on trees?
- What flowers do you see near your house?
- Do you know any plant used as medicine?
2. Fill in the Blanks
- We get ____, ____, and ____ from plants.
- Tulsi is used when we have a ____.
- Flowers like ____ and ____ are used for decoration.
- ____ leaves are used to serve food.
- Cows eat ____ and ____ from plants.
3. Match the Following
| A | B |
| Coconut | Mat and rope |
| Tulsi | Medicine for cough |
| Jasmine | Decoration |
| Neem | Medicinal plant |
| Banana leaf | Used to serve food |
4. Choose the Correct Answer (Multiple Choice Questions – MCQs)
- Which of these is a medicinal plant?
a) Rose
b) Tulsi
c) Mango
Answer: b) Tulsi - What do we get from the coconut tree?
a) Clothes
b) Paper
c) Water and coir
Answer: c) Water and coir - Flowers are used for:
a) Eating
b) Decoration
c) Making juice
Answer: b) Decoration
5. Short Answer Questions
- Name two plants used as medicine.
- What do we use dry coconut leaves for?
- List any three fruits we get from plants.
- How do plants help animals?
- Name any two flowers used at home.
7. Think and Answer / Higher-Order Thinking
- What would happen if there were no plants?
- Why should we not harm plants?
- How are plants and animals connected?
- What can you do to take care of plants around you?
8. Sorting or Classification Activities
Ask children to:
- Sort items into “Things we get from plants” and “Things we don’t.”
- Group flowers, fruits, and vegetables into three baskets (categories).
- Tick the boxes next to items we get from plants:
Rope Milk Rice Glass Banana
9. Drawing and Labelling
- Draw a tree and label what we get from it (e.g., fruit, leaves, wood).
- Draw your favorite fruit and name the plant it comes from.
10. Role Play or Dramatization
- Let children act as a fruit/flower/plant and say what they give us.
- Example: “I’m a coconut tree! I give you water, broomsticks, and rope!