1 of 22

2 of 22

Climate and Plant Growth

3 of 22

Expectation

B2.1 describe the basic needs of plants, including the need for air, water, light, heat, nutrients, and space, and identify environmental conditions that may threaten plant survival.
B2.3 describe changes that different plants undergo in their life cycles.
B2.4 describe ways in which a variety of plants adapt and/or react to their environment and to changes in their environment.
B2.5 demonstrate an understanding that most plants get energy directly from the Sun through the process of photosynthesis, which involves the absorption of carbon dioxide and the release of oxygen.

Examples

How does weather impact farming?

How do farmers use tools to help their planting?

Learning Goal

Students will look at weather and how it impacts plant growth. Students will explore Farmzone, a weather website that assists the farming community in making decisions about planting, maintaining, and harvesting crops. Students will also explore how climate change impacts growing seasons.

4 of 22

A note for teachers

Weather is a big concern in agriculture. Plants especially Ontario grains are grown outside, exposed to the changing weather patterns and climate. They can withstand a certain amount of adversity in the weather but when the environment changes, plants are unable to go in search of better conditions.

In this activity, your students will learn how important weather is to agriculture, how plants cope in their environment, and the impact of climate on that environment.

5 of 22

Preparing for the lesson

To prepare for this lesson, you may wish to visit www.plantmaps.com and select Ontario Plant Hardiness Zone Map.
You will need the lesson 3 activity sheet: Climate and Plant Growth https://goodineverygrain.ca/whats-growing-on/
You may also preview www.farmzone.com.

6 of 22

Climate and Plant Growth

7 of 22

Minds on!

Discussion

How does weather impact plant growth?
The Climate Atlas of Canada says its climate models show that Canada’s cold season will shrink, leaving a longer growing season.
This sounds like good news! Is it? Why or why not?

8 of 22

Weather?

9 of 22

Sunlight

10 of 22

Moisture

11 of 22

Harvest

12 of 22

Climate Change

13 of 22

Weather

Some of the ways weather shows climate change can be more rain than usual—which makes it harder to plant and to harvest; there could also be floods; and crops can be damaged.

Check out the cracks in the soil in the bottom left picture. This is what drought can look like - when there is not enough rain. Plants cannot get the nutrients they need, and they die; drought can damage soil.

Extra hot weather makes it hard for plants to grow. Without moisture their stems dry up, they do not flower, and there are more weeds trying to use up the little bit of water there is.

When there is too much or too little moisture, the animals and insects in the area change. There can be different pests or diseases on plants.

It is important that we all think about how we can slow climate change for many reasons – one is that we want the world to be able to have food that farmers grow.

14 of 22

Protect

15 of 22

Hardiness Zones

16 of 22

Hardiness Zones

17 of 22

Environment and Plants

18 of 22

Climate Change

19 of 22

Action!

As a class, research the following 3 cities in Ontario: Moosonee, Chatham, and Ottawa.

Task 1: What are the average first frost dates in each city? Organize your finding on the chart.

Task 2: Imagine you are explaining plant life to someone with no knowledge of plants. What are the basic survival needs of a plant? What environmental conditions impact plants?

You will need the action sheet: Climate and Growth.

20 of 22

What have we learned?

Based on the action findings, which city do you assume has the longest growing season?

Why is a resource like www.farmzone.com important for farmers?

Farmers need lots of different skill sets. Based on this lesson, what skills might a farmer need to be successful?

What are some of the basic needs for plants to thrive?

21 of 22

Show what you know…

Describe the ideal environment for growing your seeds.

If you could design the growing season, what would the season be like? Be sure to consider basic needs and environmental impacts on plants.

22 of 22

www.GoodinEveryGrain.ca

We’re Good in Every Classroom!

Join Ontario teachers who have discovered our resources.