🌱 Plants Around Us
Class 3 EVS · Unit 3 of 11 · about 160 minutes
Children observe the plants they see every day (neem, mango, tulsi, money plant, grass) and learn to sort them by size and stem (tree, shrub, climber, grass). They explore the parts of a plant (root, stem, leaf, flower, fruit, seed) through a bean or wheat seedling, compare leaves of many shapes, colours and smells, notice flowers and fruits we use, and sequence how a seed grows into a plant. They also learn how plants give us food, shade, wood and medicine, and how to care for them.
What your child will learn
- Students will name common plants they see around them (neem, mango, tulsi, money plant, grass) and sort them as trees, shrubs, climbers or grass based on size and stem.
- Students will identify the main parts of a plant (root, stem, leaf, flower, fruit, seed) and describe the function of each part.
- Students will compare leaves of different plants by shape, colour, size and smell, and group them by these features.
- Students will identify flowers and fruits that people use (marigold, rose, mango, banana) and state one use for each.
- Students will sequence the stages of a plant's growth from seed to sprout to small plant to big plant.
- Students will state three ways plants help us (food, shade, wood, medicine) and three ways to care for plants (watering, not plucking, giving sunlight).
Lessons in this unit
- Plants We See: Common plants in the child's surroundings: neem, mango, rose, tulsi, money plant, grass. Sort them by size and stem into trees (big, woody trunk), shrubs (medium, many woody stems), herbs (small plants with soft green stems, like tulsi and grass) and climbers (need support). Where they grow: garden, roadside, park, pot.
- Parts of a Plant: Main parts of a flowering plant: root (holds plant, takes water), stem (carries water and food), leaf (makes food), flower (becomes fruit), fruit (contains seeds), seed (grows into new plant). Use a bean or wheat seedling to observe root and shoot.
- Leaves: Many Shapes and Smells: Leaves come in many shapes, colours, sizes and smells. Collect leaves from neem, mango, tulsi, money plant, and compare them. Use leaf rubbing to observe veins and edges. Group leaves by shape (round, long, pointed) and smell (tulsi smells, neem smells).
- Flowers and Fruits We Use: Flowers and fruits that people use: marigold and rose for decoration and worship, mango and banana for food, tulsi leaves for medicine. Observe flowers and fruits in the market or at home. Understand that flowers become fruits, and fruits contain seeds.
- How a Seed Grows: Sequence of a plant's growth: seed → sprout → small plant → big plant. Observe a seed sprouting on wet cotton in a bowl. A seed sprouts with water, air and warmth (even in the dark); the young plant then needs sunlight to grow and make food.
- Plants Give Us and We Care: Plants give us food (fruits, vegetables, grains), shade, wood, and medicine (tulsi, neem). We care for plants by watering them, giving them sunlight, not plucking leaves or flowers unnecessarily, and not breaking branches.
Key words
- tree
- A very big plant with a thick, woody stem called a trunk, like a mango or neem tree.
- shrub
- A medium-sized plant with many woody stems, like a rose or tulsi plant.
- climber
- A plant that needs support to grow upwards, like a money plant or pea plant.
- grass
- A small plant with a soft, green stem, like the grass in the park.
- root
- The part of the plant that grows under the soil and holds the plant in place.
- stem
- The part of the plant that carries water and food to all other parts.
- leaf
- The flat, green part of a plant that makes food for the plant.
- flower
- The colourful part of a plant that becomes a fruit.
- fruit
- The part of a plant that contains seeds, like a mango or apple.
- seed
- A tiny part of a plant that can grow into a new plant.
- sprout
- A small new shoot that comes out of a seed when it starts to grow.
Help your child at home
What to watch for
- All plants are trees.
- Help: Plants can be small like grass, medium like a rose bush, or big like a mango tree. Their size and stem help us tell them apart.
- The root is the part that is above the ground.
- Help: The root is under the soil. It holds the plant and takes water from the soil.
- All leaves are green.
- Help: Leaves can be green, red, yellow, or even purple. Some change colour in different seasons.
- All flowers are used for decoration only.
- Help: Some flowers are used for decoration, but some are used for food (like banana flower) or medicine (like rose).
Try this at home
- Riya looks at her garden: neem tree, rose shrub, money plant on a stick, tulsi and grass in a pot. Sort them.
- Meera pulls out a small plant and sees the root under the soil. What does the root do?
- Arjun rubs a leaf and sees lines on it. What are those lines?
- Meera sees marigold flowers in the market. What are they used for?
Quick questions to ask aloud
- A tulsi plant is small and has soft green stems. What type of plant is it? (a small plant (herb) / tree / climber)
Show answer
a small plant (herb). A herb is a small plant with soft green stems, like tulsi. - Which part of a plant is usually under the soil? (root / leaf / flower)
Show answer
The root grows under the soil and holds the plant in place. - Which leaf has a strong smell? (tulsi / mango / neem)
Show answer
tulsi. Tulsi leaves have a strong, pleasant smell that you can notice easily.
Frequently asked questions
What will my child learn in "Plants Around Us" (Class 3 EVS)?
Your child will be able to: Students will name common plants they see around them (neem, mango, tulsi, money plant, grass) and sort them as trees, shrubs, climbers or grass based on size and stem.; Students will identify the main parts of a plant (root, stem, leaf, flower, fruit, seed) and describe the function of each part.; Students will compare leaves of different plants by shape, colour, size and smell, and group them by these features.; Students will identify flowers and fruits that people use (marigold, rose, mango, banana) and state one use for each.; Students will sequence the stages of a plant's growth from seed to sprout to small plant to big plant.; Students will state three ways plants help us (food, shade, wood, medicine) and three ways to care for plants (watering, not plucking, giving sunlight)..
How does MangoMindz teach "Plants Around Us"?
In 6 short parts (Plants We See, Parts of a Plant, Leaves: Many Shapes and Smells, Flowers and Fruits We Use, How a Seed Grows, Plants Give Us and We Care). Each part has a picture-based lesson read aloud by Mango Teacher, a quick check, and a quiz built from common mistakes children make, with Mango, a study buddy, for questions.
How long does "Plants Around Us" take?
About 160 minutes in total, spread over 6 parts of 15–25 minutes each.
How can I help my child with "Plants Around Us" at home?
Work through a small example together, such as: Riya looks at her garden: neem tree, rose shrub, money plant on a stick, tulsi and grass in a pot. Sort them.; Meera pulls out a small plant and sees the root under the soil. What does the root do?. Then ask a quick question aloud: A tulsi plant is small and has soft green stems. What type of plant is it? (a small plant (herb) / tree / climber)
What mistakes do children often make in "Plants Around Us"?
All plants are trees. Fix: Plants can be small like grass, medium like a rose bush, or big like a mango tree. Their size and stem help us tell them apart. The root is the part that is above the ground. Fix: The root is under the soil. It holds the plant and takes water from the soil. All leaves are green. Fix: Leaves can be green, red, yellow, or even purple. Some change colour in different seasons.
Is "Plants Around Us" free on MangoMindz?
Yes. Every lesson part and quiz in "Plants Around Us" is free on MangoMindz, with no ads.