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How can you tell if a plant is poisonous?

From Mystery Doug

How can you tell if a plant is poisonous?
6 minK1st2nd3rd4th5thScience
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Summary

Mystery Doug takes on a real kid's question -- "How can you tell if a plant is poisonous?" -- and follows the clues. You can't always tell a poisonous plant by sight, so the safe rule is never to taste or touch a plant you don't know. A quick five-minute watch to spark curiosity and kick off a conversation.

Viewer safety

All ages

A good moment to remind students never to touch or eat a wild plant or mushroom they can't identify.

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Teaching resources

Discussion questions

Discussion

Doug investigates a question kids really asked: "How can you tell if a plant is poisonous?"

  1. What was Doug's answer to today's question, in your own words?
  2. What surprised you most about poison, or what did you already know?
  3. What's one thing this makes you want to find out more about?

Quick work-a-long

Words to know: poison, plant, safety.

Try it: Explain the answer to "How can you tell if a plant is poisonous?" to someone at home using these three words, then write down one new question it made you wonder.