Do plants really need sunlight and water to grow? In this book, second grade students will become the scientists to discover what plants need in order to grow and thrive. Simple, structured investigations and fair tests will get students observing plants under different conditions--such as growth on a sunny windowsill versus growth in a dark cupboard--teaching the roles of sunlight and water in plant growth. Students will use their investigations to determine plant needs based on evidence, building an early understanding of cause-and-effect relationships in living systems. Supporting information about plant parts--including roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and seeds--is included to help build understanding of how plants grow and function. The book builds early scientific skills including: planning and carrying out simple hands-on investigations, making and recording observations, comparing results, and using evidence to answer questions. The fact-packed text supports informational text reading standards while meeting core science requirements and reinforcing scientific vocabulary. And the book's vibrant, child-friendly designs and beautiful photographs of trees and other plants will engage young readers. Ready-to-go downloadable resources and worksheets are available.

This book delivers hands-on, inquiry-based learning aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) for Grade 2, directly targeting the NGSS Life Sciences performance expectation: 2-LS2-1.