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8 questions with a Earth Day theme plus a full answer key. Perfect for Grade 1 Science.
⬇ Download WorksheetStudents will be able to identify what plants need to grow, including sunlight, water, air, and soil.
Before starting, show students a real or picture seedling and ask what it needs. After Q8, have students draw Zoe's garden showing all four things plants need — this mirrors the worksheet's final discovery and makes the science concrete.
- Zoe finds a tiny seed. It is Earth Day! Zoe wants to grow a plant. Circle what a plant needs. (A) rocks (B) water (C) candy
- Zoe sees a plant in the sun. True or false: Plants need sunlight to grow.
- Zoe digs in the ground. She finds a rare find — a seedling! Fill in the blank: A plant grows its roots in _____. (soil / ice / sand)
...plus 5 more questions in the full worksheet
Instructions: Read each question about Zoe's Earth Day adventure. Circle, write, or draw your answer in the box.
Standard: NGSS.1-LS1-1
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About this Science worksheet for Grade 1
First graders develop foundational understanding of plant biology through this worksheet, which guides students to identify and sequence the basic requirements for plant growth—water, sunlight, and soil. Teachers can use this resource to assess whether students can recognize cause-and-effect relationships between environmental conditions and plant health, a critical precursor to more complex life science reasoning in later grades.
This printable Science worksheet is designed for Grade 1 students and covers Plants And What They Need To Grow. The Earth Day theme keeps kids engaged while they practice essential Science skills. Every worksheet includes a full answer key making it easy for parents and teachers to check work instantly. Aligned to Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for Grade 1 Science. Print-ready at US Letter size. No login required — download and print in seconds.
Last updated: April 2026
Why Plants And What They Need To Grow matters in Grade 1
Plants are all around your child—in gardens, parks, classrooms, and even on kitchen windowsills. At age 6-7, children are naturally curious about why some plants thrive while others wilt, and this worksheet builds their observational skills by teaching them the four basic needs every plant requires: sunlight, water, soil, and air. Understanding plants helps first graders make real-world connections between cause and effect ("If I don't water the plant, it dies"), which strengthens their critical thinking. This foundation also builds scientific vocabulary and encourages children to become more mindful observers of nature around them. As Earth Day reminds us, learning to care for plants early creates lifelong stewards of the environment. Most importantly, growing plants teaches responsibility—a crucial developmental milestone for six- and seven-year-olds.
What your student will practice
- Identify the four basic needs plants require to survive and grow
- Match plant needs to real-life examples in their own environment
- Explain simple cause-and-effect relationships between plant care and growth
Common mistakes to watch for
First graders often believe plants only need water to grow, overlooking sunlight and soil entirely—you'll notice this when they say a plant in a dark corner "just needs more water." Many also struggle to understand that air is invisible and necessary, thinking only soil and water matter. Another common error is confusing plant needs with animal needs; children might think plants "eat" food the way people do. Watch for these patterns during discussions, and gently redirect by asking "Where do you see sunlight hitting your plant?" or "What does the soil give the plant that water doesn't?"
Teacher & Parent Tip
Start a simple "plant care journal" with your child at home using a small cup of soil, a bean seed, and water. Have them draw pictures or dictate observations three times a week about whether the plant looks the same, taller, greener, or has new leaves. Ask guided questions like "What did we give the plant this week?" and "Where is the sun shining on it?" This hands-on, low-pressure activity turns abstract worksheet learning into concrete experience and keeps them engaged for the 2-3 weeks it takes a bean to sprout.
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