Botany in 8 Lessons by Ellen McHenry

Botany in 8 Lessons

Sample Chapters | Sample Activities | Video Overview

Student Text: Learn at Your Own Pace

The student book is about 100 pages long and divided into 8 chapters.

Each chapter has two levels:

• Level 1 gives you the basics.
• Level 2 adds more detail for students who want to dig deeper.

You can do both levels or stop after Level 1—it’s totally up to you! At the end of each level, you’ll find fun review activities like:

• Quizzes
• Crossword and letter puzzles
• Links to online videos and websites

What Students Learn

Each chapter explores a different part of plant science:

• Plant Cells & Photosynthesis – Learn how plants eat sunlight!
• Plant Classification – Discover how plants are sorted and named.
• Non-Vascular Plants – Explore mosses and liverworts.
• Vascular Plants – Learn how plants move water and grow.
• Leaves & Stems – Study leaf shapes, pigments, and more.
• Reproduction – See how plants grow from spores and seeds.
• Adaptations – Find out how plants survive in deserts, water, or by eating bugs!
• Diseases & Pests – Learn about plant illnesses, pests, and helpful fungi.

Teacher’s Activity Guide: Hands-On Fun

Over 100 pages of activities make learning science exciting!

Games include:

• Photosynthesis Games
• Tree Leaf Bingo
• Poisonous Plant Game
• General Review Game
• Flower ID Downloads
• Plant Cell Penny Pitch

Labs & Experiments:

• Dissect flowers and celery
• Grow roots
• Test seed germination
• Look at pollen
• Watch osmosis
• Experiment with fruit ripening

Crafts & Art Projects:

• Make a chloroplast flip book
• Draw leaf cross sections
• Press leaves
• Create vascular system cookies
• Turn microscope photos into art

Also included: a final review/test and colorful pages to use as needed.

Lapbook Fun

Create a lapbook with over a dozen mini projects—many with flaps, pull-tabs, and pop-ups! Want to see it in action? Watch the overview on YouTube at TheBasementWorkshop (Botany playlist).

Video Support

Need extra help or want to explore more? A full video playlist on YouTube (TheBasementWorkshop) is available. Most videos come from trusted sources, and a few were made just for this course. All are safe and kid-friendly.

Botany in 8 Lessons makes plant science clear, exciting, and memorable. Whether your student is a budding scientist or just curious about the world outside, this curriculum brings learning to life!

How long will it take to finish this curriculum?

That really depends on your pace and how deep you dive in! If you’re racing through like you’re on a mission, you might wrap it up in 4–5 weeks. A more laid-back pace? Think 6–8 weeks. And if you’re adding in extras like gardening projects, field trips, or extended creative time, you could stretch it to 9–10 weeks or more. It all depends on how much time you dedicate to science each week and whether you’re the type to watch every video, replay games, or really savor those art projects. Bottom line: it’s flexible and made to fit your rhythm!

Do I have to follow the whole curriculum start to finish?

Nope! Feel free to mix-and-match. Want to blend it with another science curriculum or a stack of awesome library books? Go for it! You can easily pull out your favorite parts and create your own mega-science unit tailored to your interests.

Can this be used with older teens, like 14 and up?

Definitely. The content aligns with high school-level biology, so it’s totally suitable for older students—especially those who still enjoy a fun, hands-on approach to learning. If your high schooler appreciates lively writing, engaging activities, and creative exploration, this can absolutely count as a science credit.