eduKate · English · 7–9
Choose your next plant word
Name a visible part, follow a picture sequence or explain a careful comparison. Adults can read the teaching guidance separately.
1. Start and compare languages
Chapters 1–2: find the entry point and compare four languages.
2. Name the plant and its parts
Chapter 3: distinguish a whole plant from a seed, root, stem or leaf.
3. Describe conditions and growth
Chapters 4–5: connect flowers, conditions and developing structures.
Chapters 6–8: describe moisture, record observations and use a story.
Chapters 9–12: organise practice, adjust support and check transfer.
Top 20 Vocabulary Words for Children | Ages 7–9: Plants and Growing Things teaches twenty words for describing a plant, following a change and reporting what you actually notice. The set is plant, seed, root, stem, leaf, flower, fruit, soil, water, light, grow, sprout, seedling, bud, petal, branch, damp, dry, observe and compare.
This international lesson has linked English, Mandarin Chinese, Hindi and Russian editions. Every edition keeps the same word numbers, meanings, example situations and growing story. A child can work mainly in one language, compare two, or explore all four with adult support. Mandarin cards include pinyin; Hindi and Russian cards include approximate Latin reading aids.
The suggested age range is 7–9, with the task adjusted to language experience and readiness. This is a curated vocabulary lesson, not a universal ranking or an official curriculum. A drawing, photograph or adult-selected familiar plant is enough. Reading every script and learning eighty word forms at once are not requirements.
Contents
Chapter 1–4
Chapter 5–8
Chapter 9–12
Chapter 1 of 12 · Start and compare languages
1. Begin with what the child can notice
Show a simple picture of a plant and ask for a leaf, then the whole plant. A child who points correctly but cannot name leaf may need the spoken label. A child who points to the whole flower when asked for a petal needs help with the part–whole relationship. One incorrect answer does not identify the cause.
For a beginner, start with plant, seed, leaf and water. Point, name and use one short sentence. For a child who recognises the labels, add a comparison: “These leaves have different shapes.” For a confident learner, separate observation from explanation: “I can see two new leaves” says what was noticed; it does not by itself establish why they appeared.
Use a book, a clear drawing, photographs or a familiar plant chosen by an adult. Choose an observation activity rather than tasting plants or handling unknown specimens. Roots can be studied in pictures; there is no need to pull up a growing plant to make them visible.
Separate language learning from gardening success. A seed that does not visibly sprout can still provide useful vocabulary practice through a reliable picture sequence. The lesson does not prescribe one watering amount, temperature or timetable for all species. For any real growing activity, the adult follows the needs of the selected plant.
Keep listening, speaking, reading and writing distinct. Let the child show understanding by pointing, drawing or explaining in a familiar language. Then model the target word or a short sentence. A new script should not hide knowledge the child can already express in another way.
The table matches meanings within this plant lesson. English plant and water can be nouns or verbs, but their headwords here are nouns. Sprout is used as a verb. Light means illumination, not low weight. Use the example sentence to decide which meaning and grammatical job are intended.
Fruit here is the botanical category: Mandarin 果实 and Russian плод are more precise for that idea than words limited to sweet fruit eaten as food. Our seedling entry uses a descriptive Hindi phrase, नन्हा पौधा, made specific by the context of growing from a seed.
Bud is deliberately limited to a flower bud in the examples: 花蕾, कली and бутон. English bud can also refer to a developing leafy shoot, for which Russian often uses почка and Mandarin can use 芽. Do not take one contextual equivalent as the only translation for every sentence.
Mandarin uses simplified characters and pinyin. Tone marks guide pronunciation; the letters are not English spelling. Leaf is yèzi and stem is jīng. Listening to a proficient speaker or reliable dictionary audio can help with sounds and rhythm that a written guide cannot fully show.
Hindi uses Devanagari; Russian uses Cyrillic. The Latin aids are approximate transliterations, not complete phonetic transcriptions. Hindi ā, ī and ū indicate long vowels, while ṭ and ḍ indicate retroflex sounds. Russian headwords show stress where useful, and ordinary sentences usually leave stress marks out.
Grammar changes with the sentence. Hindi पौधा becomes पौधे in some constructions and पत्ता has plural पत्ते. Russian лист becomes листья in the plural; семя has plural семена. The example forms are not new plant categories. Compare one meaning in two languages before adding more forms.
To explore four languages, keep one picture visible. Find a leaf, say its name in a chosen language and use the example. On another turn, follow the same word number to another edition. No child needs equal fluency in all four languages to benefit from a few meaningful connections.
Chapter 3 of 12 · Name the plant and its parts
3. Words 1–5: the plant, seed and main parts
1. plant · 植物
English: plant
A living thing such as a tree, grass or a sunflower. Our examples concern familiar land plants. Plant is a noun here; to plant a seed is a different use of the English word.
This plant has several leaves.
简体中文·普通话: 植物 (zhíwù)
例如树、草或向日葵这样的生物。本课讨论常见陆生植物。英语 plant 在这里是名词；plant a seed 中则表示播种。
这株植物有几片叶子。
हिन्दी: पौधा (paudhā)
पेड़, घास या सूरजमुखी जैसी जीवित चीज़। उदाहरण परिचित स्थलीय पौधों के हैं। अंग्रेज़ी plant यहाँ संज्ञा है; plant a seed में क्रिया है।
इस पौधे पर कई पत्ते हैं।
Русский: расте́ние (rasteniye)
Живое существо, например дерево, трава или подсолнечник. В примерах знакомые наземные растения. Английское plant здесь — существительное; plant a seed означает посадить семя.
У этого растения несколько листьев.
Try it: Find a whole plant in a picture, then point to one part. Do not use the same gesture for both.
2. seed · 种子
English: seed
A structure containing a very young plant, or embryo, inside a protective covering. Many seeds also contain stored food. Under suitable conditions a viable seed can begin to grow; not every seed will do so.
We draw the seed before it sprouts.
简体中文·普通话: 种子 (zhǒngzi)
保护外层里面含有早期幼小植物，也就是胚的结构。许多种子还储存养分。有活力的种子在合适条件下能开始生长，并不是每颗都会发芽。
我们在种子发芽前画下它。
हिन्दी: बीज (bīj)
सुरक्षा के आवरण में पौधे का शुरुआती नन्हा रूप, यानी भ्रूण, रखने वाली संरचना। कई बीजों में संचित भोजन भी होता है। सही परिस्थितियों में जीवक्षम बीज उग सकता है; हर बीज नहीं।
हम अंकुरित होने से पहले बीज का चित्र बनाते हैं।
Русский: се́мя (semya)
Структура с зародышем растения внутри защитного покрова. Во многих семенах также есть запас питания. Жизнеспособное семя может начать рост в подходящих условиях; прорастает не каждое.
Мы рисуем семя до того, как оно прорастёт.
Try it: Draw the seed before looking at the later pictures. Avoid treating every small round object as a seed.
3. root · 根
English: root
A plant part that commonly anchors the plant and takes in water and dissolved minerals. Roots often grow in soil, but they are not always hidden underground. A picture can show roots without disturbing a plant.
The picture shows a root below the stem.
简体中文·普通话: 根 (gēn)
通常帮助固定植物、吸收水和溶解矿物质的部分。根常在土中，但不一定全部藏在地下。可以用图片观察，不必挖出植物。
图中茎的下方有一条根。
हिन्दी: जड़ (jaṛ)
पौधे का हिस्सा जो सामान्यतः उसे टिकाता और पानी तथा घुले खनिज लेता है। जड़ें अक्सर मिट्टी में होती हैं, हमेशा छिपी नहीं। बिना पौधा उखाड़े चित्र से देखें।
चित्र में तने के नीचे एक जड़ है।
Русский: ко́рень (koren)
Часть растения, которая обычно закрепляет его и поглощает воду с растворёнными минеральными веществами. Корни часто в почве, но не всегда под землёй. Их можно изучать по рисунку.
На рисунке под стеблем виден корень.
Try it: Trace the pictured root. Explain why a root does not have to be visible in a normal view above the soil.
4. stem · 茎
English: stem
The part that supports leaves, flowers or other structures and carries materials through the plant. A stem is not necessarily a tree trunk. Some stems grow underground; use the visible example without making it a rule for all plants.
The stem supports the leaves.
简体中文·普通话: 茎 (jīng)
支撑叶、花等部分，并在植物体内运输物质的部分。茎不一定是树干，有些茎在地下。本课按例图识别，不推广为所有植物的规则。
茎支撑着叶子。
हिन्दी: तना (tanā)
पत्ते, फूल आदि सँभालने और पदार्थ पहुँचाने वाला हिस्सा। तना केवल पेड़ का मोटा धड़ नहीं; कुछ तने भूमिगत होते हैं। एक चित्र को सभी पौधों का नियम न बनाएँ।
तना पत्तों को सहारा देता है।
Русский: сте́бель (stebel)
Часть, поддерживающая листья, цветки и другие структуры и проводящая вещества. Стебель — не только древесный ствол. Некоторые стебли подземные; пример не описывает все растения.
Стебель поддерживает листья.
Try it: Find the stem supporting leaves in a clear diagram. Compare it with a root without pulling a plant apart.
5. leaf · 叶子
English: leaf
A plant part that, in many familiar green plants, uses light to help make food. Leaves vary in size, shape and colour. A leaf is not the same as a flower petal.
This leaf has a curved edge.
简体中文·普通话: 叶子 (yèzi)
许多常见绿色植物中，利用光帮助制造养分的部分。叶子的大小、形状和颜色各异。叶子不等于花瓣。
这片叶子的边缘是弯曲的。
हिन्दी: पत्ता (pattā)
कई परिचित हरे पौधों का हिस्सा जो प्रकाश से भोजन बनाने में सहायता करता है। पत्तों के माप, आकार और रंग अलग होते हैं। पत्ता फूल की पंखुड़ी नहीं।
इस पत्ते की किनारी घुमावदार है।
Русский: лист (list)
Часть многих знакомых зелёных растений, использующая свет для образования питательных веществ. Листья различаются размером, формой и цветом. Лист — не лепесток цветка.
У этого листа изогнутый край.
Try it: Choose two leaves of different shapes in pictures. Describe a visible feature rather than guessing their species.
Chapter 4 of 12 · Describe conditions and growth
4. Words 6–10: flowers, fruit and growing conditions
6. flower · 花
English: flower
A reproductive structure of a flowering plant. Flowers do not all have large bright petals, and not every kind of plant makes flowers. In this lesson, compare a flower with the whole plant.
The picture shows one flower on the plant.
简体中文·普通话: 花 (huā)
开花植物的繁殖结构。花不一定有鲜艳大花瓣，也不是所有植物都开花。本课比较一朵花和整株植物。
图中这株植物上有一朵花。
हिन्दी: फूल (phūl)
फूलदार पौधे की प्रजनन संरचना। सभी फूल बड़े चमकीले नहीं, और हर प्रकार का पौधा फूल नहीं बनाता। फूल और पूरा पौधा अलग पहचानें।
चित्र में पौधे पर एक फूल है।
Русский: цвето́к (tsvetok)
Орган размножения цветкового растения. Не у всех цветков крупные яркие лепестки, и не все растения образуют цветки. Отличайте цветок от всего растения.
На рисунке у растения один цветок.
Try it: Point to the whole flower, then one part. Discuss why some plants in a picture may have no flower visible.
7. fruit · 果实
English: fruit
A structure that develops from a flower in a flowering plant, usually containing seeds. Botanical fruit is a wider category than sweet fruit in a kitchen. Some cultivated fruits have no developed seeds.
This fruit contains seeds.
简体中文·普通话: 果实 (guǒshí)
开花植物由花发育而来的结构，通常含种子。植物学果实的范围比日常甜水果广，有些栽培果实没有发育成熟的种子。
这个果实里有种子。
हिन्दी: फल (phal)
फूलदार पौधे में फूल से बनने वाली संरचना, जिसमें सामान्यतः बीज होते हैं। वनस्पति का फल मीठे रसोई-फल से व्यापक है। कुछ उगाई किस्मों में विकसित बीज नहीं होते।
इस फल में बीज हैं।
Русский: плод (plod)
Структура, развивающаяся из цветка цветкового растения, обычно с семенами. Ботанический плод — понятие шире сладких фруктов. У некоторых культурных плодов развитых семян нет.
В этом плоде есть семена.
Try it: Compare a labelled fruit-and-seed picture. Keep the fruit and the seed as separate parts of the description.
8. soil · 土壤
English: soil
Material at the ground surface that includes mineral particles, organic matter, air and water. Many plants grow in soil. Potting mixes can be made from other materials, so a bagged growing mix is not always ordinary garden soil.
The plant grows in soil.
简体中文·普通话: 土壤 (tǔrǎng)
地表包含矿物颗粒、有机质、空气和水的材料。许多植物长在土壤中。盆栽基质可能用其他材料配成，不一定等同普通园土。
这株植物长在土壤里。
हिन्दी: मिट्टी (miṭṭī)
धरातल का पदार्थ जिसमें खनिज कण, जैव पदार्थ, हवा और पानी होते हैं। कई पौधे मिट्टी में उगते हैं। गमले का मिश्रण हमेशा साधारण बगीचे की मिट्टी नहीं होता।
पौधा मिट्टी में उगता है।
Русский: по́чва (pochva)
Материал у поверхности земли с минеральными частицами, органическим веществом, воздухом и водой. Многие растения растут в почве. Готовый субстрат для горшка не всегда обычная садовая почва.
Растение растёт в почве.
Try it: Describe the soil in an illustration. Ask whether a potting mixture must be identical to outdoor garden soil.
9. water · 水
English: water
The substance plants need for processes including growth and transport. Here water is a noun. The English verb water means give water to a plant; the amount needed depends on the plant and its conditions.
The adult checks whether the plant needs water.
简体中文·普通话: 水 (shuǐ)
植物生长、运输物质等过程需要的物质。英语 water 这里是名词；作动词可表示浇水。需要多少水取决于植物和环境。
成人检查植物是否需要水。
हिन्दी: पानी (pānī)
वह पदार्थ जिसकी पौधों को वृद्धि और परिवहन जैसी प्रक्रियाओं में ज़रूरत होती है। अंग्रेज़ी water यहाँ संज्ञा है; क्रिया में पानी देना है। मात्रा पौधे और स्थिति पर निर्भर है।
वयस्क देखता है कि पौधे को पानी चाहिए या नहीं।
Русский: вода́ (voda)
Вещество, нужное растениям для роста, переноса веществ и других процессов. Английское water здесь — существительное, а как глагол означает поливать. Потребность зависит от растения и условий.
Взрослый проверяет, нужна ли растению вода.
Try it: Use water as a noun in the example, then let an adult explain the English verb in “water the plant”.
10. light · 光
English: light
What allows us to see and what green plants use in making food. Light is not the same thing as warmth. The English adjective light can also mean not heavy, but that is not our meaning here.
The leaves receive light.
简体中文·普通话: 光 (guāng)
让我们看见事物、绿色植物制造养分时使用的光。光和温暖不同。英语 light 也可表示重量轻，本课不是那个意思。
叶子接收到光。
हिन्दी: प्रकाश (prakāś)
जिससे हम देखते हैं और जिसे हरे पौधे भोजन बनाने में इस्तेमाल करते हैं। प्रकाश गर्मी जैसा नहीं। अंग्रेज़ी light का हल्का वजन वाला अर्थ यहाँ नहीं है।
पत्तों को प्रकाश मिलता है।
Русский: свет (svet)
То, благодаря чему мы видим и что зелёные растения используют для образования питания. Свет — не то же самое, что тепло. Английское light также значит лёгкий, но здесь другой смысл.
На листья попадает свет.
Try it: Compare a light description with a temperature description. Bright does not mean the same as warm.
Chapter 5 of 12 · Describe conditions and growth
5. Words 11–16: growth and developing structures
11. grow · 生长
English: grow
To develop or increase in size. A plant can grow new leaves or roots as well as become taller. Growth happens over time; one day without a visible change does not show that nothing is happening.
The plant grows a new leaf.
简体中文·普通话: 生长 (shēngzhǎng)
发育或增大。植物可以长新叶、新根，不只是长高。生长需要时间，一天没看出变化，不说明什么都没发生。
这株植物长出一片新叶。
हिन्दी: बढ़ना (baṛhnā)
विकसित होना या आकार बढ़ना। पौधा ऊँचा होने के अलावा नई पत्तियाँ या जड़ें बना सकता है। एक दिन दिखाई बदलाव न हो तो भीतर कुछ नहीं हो रहा, यह साबित नहीं।
पौधे पर एक नया पत्ता निकलता है।
Русский: расти́ (rasti)
Развиваться или увеличиваться. Растение может образовывать новые листья и корни, а не только становиться выше. Отсутствие видимой перемены за день не доказывает отсутствия изменений.
У растения вырастает новый лист.
Try it: Look at two dated pictures of the same plant. Name one visible change without inventing a reason.
12. sprout · 发芽
English: sprout
To begin growing from a seed in this example. Sprout is used as a verb here. In other sentences, a sprout can mean a young shoot; use the full sentence to identify the intended meaning.
The seed begins to sprout.
简体中文·普通话: 发芽 (fāyá)
本例指种子开始萌发生长。英语 sprout 在这里是动词；其他句子中也能作名词指嫩芽，要看完整句子。
种子开始发芽。
हिन्दी: अंकुरित होना (aṅkurit honā)
यहाँ बीज से बढ़ना शुरू करना। अंग्रेज़ी sprout क्रिया है; दूसरे वाक्य में वह नन्ही नई बढ़त की संज्ञा भी हो सकता है। पूरा वाक्य देखें।
बीज अंकुरित होने लगता है।
Русский: прораста́ть (prorastat)
В этом примере — начинать рост из семени. Английское sprout здесь глагол; как существительное оно может обозначать молодой росток. Смысл уточняет всё предложение.
Семя начинает прорастать.
Try it: Follow a reliable seed-to-shoot picture sequence. Use sprout for the beginning of growth from a seed.
13. seedling · 幼苗
English: seedling
A young plant grown from a seed. This is a stage of development, not a promise of a particular height or number of leaves. Our Hindi equivalent is a descriptive phrase understood in the seed-growing context.
Our drawing shows a seedling with two leaves.
简体中文·普通话: 幼苗 (yòumiáo)
从种子长出的幼小植物。这是发育阶段，不规定高度或叶数。本课印地语用描述性短语，结合种子生长情境理解。
我们的画上有一株长着两片叶子的幼苗。
हिन्दी: नन्हा पौधा (nanhā paudhā)
बीज से उगा छोटा नया पौधा। यह विकास की अवस्था है, तय ऊँचाई या पत्तों की संख्या नहीं। नन्हा पौधा का अर्थ यहाँ बीज से उगने के संदर्भ में लें।
हमारे चित्र में दो पत्तों वाला नन्हा पौधा है।
Русский: сея́нец (seyanets)
Молодое растение, выросшее из семени. Это этап развития, а не определённая высота или число листьев. Описательная фраза на хинди понимается в контексте выращивания из семян.
На нашем рисунке сеянец с двумя листьями.
Try it: Find a young plant grown from a seed. Do not define seedling by one fixed number of leaves.
14. bud · 花蕾
English: bud
In this lesson, a flower before it opens. English bud has a broader use for developing shoots or leaves too; the Mandarin, Hindi and Russian examples here focus on a flower bud.
The bud has not opened yet.
简体中文·普通话: 花蕾 (huālěi)
本课指尚未开放的花。英语 bud 也可泛指会长成枝、叶等的芽；本组中文、印地语和俄语例子聚焦花蕾。
花蕾还没有开放。
हिन्दी: कली (kalī)
यहाँ खुलने से पहले का फूल। अंग्रेज़ी bud नई शाखा या पत्तियों की कली भी हो सकता है; इस समूह के चीनी, हिन्दी और रूसी उदाहरण फूल की कली के हैं।
कली अभी नहीं खिली है।
Русский: буто́н (buton)
В этом уроке — ещё не раскрывшийся цветок. Английское bud шире: бывает почкой будущего побега или листьев. Здесь китайский, хинди и русский примеры относятся к цветочному бутону.
Бутон ещё не раскрылся.
Try it: Compare a closed flower bud with an open flower in pictures. Remember that English bud can have other plant meanings.
15. petal · 花瓣
English: petal
One of the parts around the centre of many flowers, often coloured. A petal is part of a flower, not the whole flower. Flowers vary, so do not assume every flower has the same number of petals.
Point to one petal in the picture.
简体中文·普通话: 花瓣 (huābàn)
许多花中心周围的部分之一，常带颜色。花瓣是花的一部分，不是整朵花。花各不相同，花瓣数也不一定一样。
指一指图中的一片花瓣。
हिन्दी: पंखुड़ी (paṅkhuṛī)
कई फूलों के केंद्र के आसपास का एक हिस्सा, अक्सर रंगीन। पंखुड़ी फूल का हिस्सा है, पूरा फूल नहीं। हर फूल में समान संख्या नहीं होती।
चित्र में एक पंखुड़ी दिखाओ।
Русский: лепесто́к (lepestok)
Одна из частей вокруг середины многих цветков, часто окрашенная. Лепесток — часть цветка, не весь цветок. Число лепестков у разных цветков различается.
Покажи один лепесток на рисунке.
Try it: Point to one petal and then the whole flower. Count only what is actually visible.
16. branch · 树枝
English: branch
A part growing out from the main stem or another branch, as in a tree. It can bear leaves and smaller shoots. Not every plant has a woody branching structure like the example.
Several leaves grow on this branch.
简体中文·普通话: 树枝 (shùzhī)
从主茎或另一枝条长出的部分，例如树枝。上面可能有叶和小枝。不是所有植物都有像例图那样木质分枝。
这根树枝上长着几片叶子。
हिन्दी: शाखा (śākhā)
मुख्य तने या दूसरी शाखा से निकलने वाला हिस्सा, जैसे पेड़ की डाल। उस पर पत्ते और छोटी बढ़त हो सकती है। हर पौधा ऐसा लकड़ीदार ढाँचा नहीं बनाता।
इस शाखा पर कई पत्ते उगते हैं।
Русский: ве́тка (vetka)
Часть, отходящая от основного стебля или другой ветки, например у дерева. На ней могут быть листья и молодые побеги. Не все растения имеют такое древесное ветвление.
На этой ветке растёт несколько листьев.
Try it: Trace a branch in a tree picture, noting where it connects with a larger part.
Chapter 6 of 12 · Observe, read and practise
6. Words 17–20: describe and compare observations
17. damp · 微湿的
English: damp
Slightly wet. A damp paper towel has some water in it but is not described here as dripping. Damp describes moisture, not a fixed watering instruction for every seed.
The paper towel is damp.
简体中文·普通话: 微湿的 (wēishī de)
有一点湿。本例的微湿纸巾含一些水，但不是在滴水。这个词描述含水状态，不是所有种子的统一浇水指令。
纸巾是微湿的。
हिन्दी: नम (nam)
थोड़ा गीला। यहाँ नम कागज़ी तौलिए में पानी है, पर टपकता नहीं। नम स्थिति का वर्णन है, हर बीज के लिए एक जैसा पानी देने का नियम नहीं।
कागज़ का तौलिया नम है।
Русский: вла́жный (vlazhnyy)
Немного мокрый. Во влажной бумажной салфетке есть вода, но в нашем примере она не капает. Это описание влаги, не универсальный режим полива семян.
Бумажная салфетка влажная.
Try it: Compare pictures or adult-prepared paper samples described as damp and dry. Keep the description separate from a plant-care rule.
18. dry · 干的
English: dry
Not wet in the observation being described. A surface can look dry while material below it still contains water. Dry does not mean hot, dead or definitely unable to grow.
The surface looks dry.
简体中文·普通话: 干的 (gān de)
在所描述的观察中不湿。表面看起来干，下面仍可能含水。干不等于热、死亡或一定不能生长。
表面看起来是干的。
हिन्दी: सूखा (sūkhā)
जिस अवलोकन की बात है उसमें गीला न होना। सतह सूखी दिख सकती है, नीचे पानी हो सकता है। सूखा का मतलब गर्म, मृत या उगने में असमर्थ नहीं।
सतह सूखी दिखती है।
Русский: сухо́й (sukhoy)
Не мокрый в описываемом наблюдении. Поверхность может выглядеть сухой, хотя ниже ещё есть вода. Сухой не значит горячий, мёртвый или неспособный расти.
Поверхность выглядит сухой.
Try it: Describe a dry-looking surface carefully. Say what the surface shows, not what must be true deeper down.
19. observe · 观察
English: observe
To look carefully and record what you notice in this activity. An observation states what is seen, counted or measured; an explanation about why it happened is a further step.
We observe the plant and draw what we see.
简体中文·普通话: 观察 (guānchá)
本活动中仔细查看并记录发现。观察说明看见、数到或量到什么；解释为什么发生，是下一步。
我们观察植物，画下看到的样子。
हिन्दी: ध्यान से देखना (dhyān se dekhnā)
यहाँ ध्यान से देखना और जो पता चले उसे दर्ज करना। अवलोकन में देखी, गिनी या मापी बात आती है; क्यों हुआ उसका कारण आगे का कदम है।
हम पौधे को ध्यान से देखकर उसका चित्र बनाते हैं।
Русский: наблюда́ть (nablyudat)
В этой деятельности — внимательно смотреть и записывать замеченное. Наблюдение сообщает увиденное, подсчитанное или измеренное; объяснение причины — следующий шаг.
Мы наблюдаем растение и рисуем то, что видим.
Try it: Draw or write what you can actually see, count or measure. Put a possible explanation in a separate sentence.
20. compare · 比较
English: compare
To examine similarities and differences. State the feature, such as leaf number, shape or height. Comparing two plants alone does not establish why they differ, especially when several conditions vary.
We compare the shapes of two leaves.
简体中文·普通话: 比较 (bǐjiào)
寻找相同与不同。说明比较叶数、形状还是高度。仅比较两株植物，尤其条件不同，不足以确定差异原因。
我们比较两片叶子的形状。
हिन्दी: तुलना करना (tulnā karnā)
समानताएँ और अंतर देखना। पत्तों की संख्या, आकार या ऊँचाई जैसा गुण बताएँ। दो पौधों में अंतर देखकर अकेले कारण सिद्ध नहीं होता, खासकर स्थितियाँ अलग हों।
हम दो पत्तों के आकारों की तुलना करते हैं।
Русский: сра́внивать (sravnivat)
Находить сходства и различия. Назовите признак: число листьев, форму или высоту. Сравнение двух растений само по себе не устанавливает причину различий, особенно при разных условиях.
Мы сравниваем форму двух листьев.
Try it: Choose one feature to compare, such as leaf shape or visible leaf number. A difference alone does not identify its cause.
Read one version first and compare another if the child wishes. This is a fictional observation story, not a promise that every seed follows the same schedule.
English
Alex looks at a seed with a trusted adult and draws it before any shoot is visible. The adult has chosen a suitable plant and a growing method for that kind of seed. On a later visit, Alex can see that the seed has begun to sprout. They use a clear picture to identify the root and stem. Later photographs show a small seedling with leaves. Alex writes, “I can see two leaves in this picture.” Another leaf looks larger, so Alex compares their shapes. The adult checks the plant’s water needs; a dry-looking surface alone does not tell the whole story. The leaves receive light, but light is not the same thing as warmth. In a separate flowering-plant picture, Alex finds a bud, an open flower, a petal and a fruit with seeds. A tree picture shows leaves on a branch. Alex labels each drawing carefully and keeps an observation separate from a possible explanation.
简体中文·普通话
亚历克斯和信任的成人看一颗种子，在还看不到嫩芽时先画下它。成人已选择适合的植物，并按这类种子的需要安排。后来再看时，种子开始发芽。他们用清楚图片认识根和茎。之后的照片里出现长着叶子的幼苗。亚历克斯写：“这张图里我看到两片叶子。”另一片叶子看起来较大，于是比较叶形。成人检查植物是否需要水，不能只凭表面看起来干就下结论。叶子接收到光，但光不同于温暖。在另一张开花植物图里，亚历克斯找花蕾、开放的花、花瓣和含种子的果实。树图上有长在枝上的叶子。最后仔细标记图画，把观察与可能解释分开。
हिन्दी
एलेक्स एक भरोसेमंद वयस्क के साथ बीज देखता है और नई बढ़त दिखने से पहले उसका चित्र बनाता है। वयस्क ने उपयुक्त पौधा और उस बीज का सही तरीका चुना है। बाद की एक बार बीज अंकुरित होता दिखता है। साफ़ तस्वीर से दोनों जड़ और तना पहचानते हैं। बाद की तस्वीरों में पत्तों वाला नन्हा पौधा है। एलेक्स लिखता है, “इस चित्र में दो पत्ते दिखते हैं।” दूसरा पत्ता बड़ा लगता है, इसलिए उनके आकार तुलना किए जाते हैं। वयस्क पानी की ज़रूरत जाँचता है; सिर्फ सूखी दिखती सतह पूरी बात नहीं बताती। पत्तों को प्रकाश मिलता है, पर प्रकाश और गर्मी अलग हैं। अलग फूलदार पौधे के चित्र में कली, खुला फूल, पंखुड़ी और बीज वाला फल मिलता है। पेड़ के चित्र में शाखा पर पत्ते हैं। एलेक्स नाम लगाता है और देखी बात को संभव कारण से अलग रखता है।
Русский
Алекс рассматривает семя со знакомым взрослым и рисует его, пока ростка ещё не видно. Взрослый выбрал подходящее растение и способ выращивания для этого семени. Позже видно начало прорастания. По ясной картинке они находят корень и стебель. На следующих фотографиях появляется маленький сеянец с листьями. Алекс записывает: «На этой картинке я вижу два листа». Другой лист кажется крупнее, и Алекс сравнивает их форму. Взрослый проверяет потребность в воде: одной сухой на вид поверхности недостаточно для вывода. Листья получают свет, но свет не равен теплу. На отдельном рисунке цветкового растения Алекс находит бутон, раскрытый цветок, лепесток и плод с семенами. На рисунке дерева видны листья на ветке. Алекс подписывает изображения и отделяет наблюдение от возможного объяснения.
Chapter 8 of 12 · Observe, read and practise
8. Questions and a small observation project
Use drawings, photographs or an appropriate familiar plant. The suggested answers show possible reasoning; an accurate alternative can be accepted. Ask the child what evidence supports the answer. These questions check this vocabulary set, not complete botanical knowledge.
For a small project, choose one clear plant picture and draw it with labels for three visible parts. If using a real plant, make a second record later according to a suitable adult-led plan. Compare one visible feature, such as leaf count. Write “I noticed …” before “I think …”. A picture comparison is enough when a live growing project is not practical.
1. What is the difference between a plant and a leaf?
2. Must every root be hidden underground?
3. Is a petal the whole flower?
4. Does every kind of plant make flowers?
5. Does botanical fruit mean only sweet food?
6. In “The leaves receive light”, does light mean not heavy?
7. Will every seed sprout on the same day?
8. Does a dry-looking surface prove that the material underneath is dry?
9. Which is an observation: “I see two new leaves” or “Extra water caused the new leaves”?
10. Repair “This plant is taller, so it must have received more water.”
Suggested answers
- The plant is the whole living thing in this example; a leaf is one of its parts.
- No. Roots commonly grow in soil, but some are visible above ground or in other growing arrangements.
- No. A petal is one part of many flowers.
- No. Our flower definition concerns flowering plants.
- No. Botanical fruit is a broader plant category.
- No. It means illumination in this sentence.
- No. Viability, species and conditions matter; there is no universal timetable in this lesson.
- No. The observation concerns the visible surface.
- The first reports what is seen. The second proposes a cause that needs further evidence.
- For example: “This plant is taller in the picture. We do not yet know what caused the difference.”
The days organise language practice, not a biological growth schedule. Repeat, shorten or spread them out. Use photographs when the real plant has not changed visibly; never manufacture a result to complete the plan.
| Day | Words | Activity | What to notice |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Plant, seed, root | Match a whole plant and its parts. | Can the child separate the whole from one part? |
| 2 | Stem, leaf; review root | Label a clear diagram. | Can the child use a second picture? |
| 3 | Flower, fruit, petal | Compare labelled photographs. | Does the child distinguish flower, petal and fruit? |
| 4 | Soil, water, light | Describe a growing scene. | Can the child keep light separate from warmth? |
| 5 | Grow, sprout, seedling | Order a supplied picture sequence. | Can the child describe the stage without promising a date? |
| 6 | Bud, branch, damp, dry | Match parts and moisture descriptions. | Can the child use the intended contextual meaning? |
| 7 | Observe, compare; review | Make a careful two-picture report. | Can the child separate a visible difference from its possible cause? |
If the word does not connect to the picture, reduce the choice to two distinct parts and model the meaning. Use a new diagram later so the learner does not attach root only to one colour or one drawing style. Naming should follow a stable connection.
If the child points correctly but cannot say the word, offer two spoken choices or the start of a short sentence. Gradually remove the cue. Return to the same meaning in a different picture before increasing the list.
If parts and wholes are confused, move between them deliberately. Outline the whole flower, then point to one petal. Draw a frame around the whole plant and another marker for a leaf. More copying will not by itself repair that conceptual distinction.
If explanation outruns evidence, ask “What can we actually see?” Separate an observation column from a possible-reason column. This is a language habit for precise reports, not a full scientific experiment or a diagnosis of the plant.
If print is unfamiliar, let an adult read the examples while the child points or draws. For a confident learner, add a different plant picture, a more precise comparison or the same sentence in another language. Change one difficulty at a time.
After familiar practice, change the picture, orientation or drawing style. A leaf should still be recognised when it is not the same green oval used in the first lesson. Ask the child to name a feature that supports the choice.
Record the actual skill and language: “points to root when heard”, “says पत्ता with a picture”, “reads растение with help”. Keep independent use distinct from an answer after a prompt. The record describes a learning step rather than general fluency.
Use three small checks: name a visible part; use one complete observation sentence; compare one stated feature without inventing a cause. If one is difficult, return to the appropriate card or demonstration. A plant’s growth rate is not the child’s vocabulary score.
Useful progress means clearer communication: describing a new leaf, asking whether a picture shows a bud or flower, or stating that a surface only looks dry. Return to these words in books, drawings and adult-guided observations so they become usable beyond the page.
Must all four languages be learned?
No. Choose one main language; the others remain optional comparisons with matching word numbers.
Are these the twenty most important plant words for every child?
No. Top 20 identifies this curated lesson, not a research ranking or an official syllabus.
Do we need a garden or live growing project?
No. Clear pictures and a short labelled sequence are enough for the vocabulary activities.
Why is bud translated specifically as a flower bud?
The examples select that meaning. English bud has other plant uses, so another context may need another translation.
Does every seed need light to begin germinating?
No. Light requirements vary. Do not turn the light card about green plants into one universal seed-germination rule.
Should children water the plant every day for this lesson?
The lesson gives no universal watering schedule. An adult checks the needs of the selected plant and conditions.
What if no change is visible between observations?
Record that honestly or use a supplied picture sequence. A lack of visible change is not a reason to invent one.
Can the child answer in another language?
Acknowledge the correct idea, then model a short target-language sentence. Understanding, speaking, reading and writing can be practised separately.
References and further learning
The definitions, examples, story and activities are original teaching material. The references below support the explanations about seeds, plant parts and differing growing requirements; they do not rank the twenty words.
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: What is a seed?
- Kew: Parts of the plant — teacher’s answer sheet
- Royal Horticultural Society: How to sow seeds indoors
Follow the same word number in another language edition. The earlier weather lesson adds useful words for describing rain, sun and temperature around a plant.