Plant Adaptations
Below are 3 sections (or layers) that will help you more deeply understand about plants and the adaptations they make. Start with Section 1 and complete that layer before going to the next sections.
Section 1. "C" Layer
65 points maximum, must complete before moving to the next section.
Complete at least one activity in each section.
You may do more than 65 points worth of research, but your grade will only include up to 65 pts. from this section.
Goal of Section 1. "C" Layer: acquire basic knowledge.
65 points maximum, must complete before moving to the next section.
Complete at least one activity in each section.
You may do more than 65 points worth of research, but your grade will only include up to 65 pts. from this section.
Goal of Section 1. "C" Layer: acquire basic knowledge.
*General Plant Information
5 pts. Read pages A72-75 in Hartcourt Science and answer the questions on pg. A75.
5 pts. Read pages A78-A81 in Hartcourt Science and answer the questions on pg. A81. 5 pts. Read pages A84-A87 in Hartcourt Science and answer the questions on pg. A87. 10 pts. Make plant vocabulary flashcards using the vocabulary words on page A68 in Hartcourt Science. 15 pts. Study pages 6-11 in the book Eyewitness Plant, By David Burnie. Create a Paper Slide Show using 5 slides. 20 pts. Read Plant Life, by Peter Riley. Choose from the following activities after completing the book:
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15 pts. Read Wacky Trees, by D.M. Souza and be prepared to share 6 wacky facts about some trees.
15 pts. Miscellaneous Reading about Plants. Click on the button for more information.
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*Plant Adaptations
15 pts. Read Usborne Mysteries & Marvels of Plant Life, outline 5+ key concepts, be prepared to summarize your reading.
10 pts. Read the article Kids Do Ecology or Desert Museum to understand better how plants live in dry hot climates with little water. Make a poster to illustrate key concepts.
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5 pts. Watch Plant Adaptation Study Jam video and study vocabulary, take notes and be prepared to explain 5 things you learned.
5 pts. Watch Plant Adaptation Study Jam video and take quiz until you get 100% |
5 pts. Read Usborne Mysteries and Marvels of Nature, by Elizabeth Dalby. Pages 102-103 and outline ways plants can have a Tough Life.
5 pts. Watch Plants Desert Survival Techniques and be prepared to summarize orally.
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15 pts. Design a booklet that shares what you understand after reading pgs. 12-13 (Bursting into Bloom) in the book Eyewitness Plant.
10 pts. Read Usborne Mysteries and Marvels of Nature, by Elizabeth Dalby. Pages 42-43 Design a mini-poster illustrating Tricky Plants.
15 pts. Create a comic strip that teaches the concepts learned in the article Plant Defenses and the information on pages 30-31 in Usborne Mysteries and Marvels of Nature, by Elizabeth Dalby.
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20 pts. With a friend, design a bulletin board that explains how plants can defend themselves. Use information from the video How Plants Defend Themselves and information found in:
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15 pts. Make a diorama sharing how plants adapt to cold climates learned in the book Eyewitness Plant, by David Burnie. Pages 50-51
25 pts. With a friend, construct a board game that quizzes players about many forms of plant adaptation. Include a minimum of 18 facts.
(Yes, you will need to study from many of the resources listed above to be able to include facts about plant adaptations.)
(Yes, you will need to study from many of the resources listed above to be able to include facts about plant adaptations.)
*Plant Reproduction
5 pts. Play Flower Reproduction Study Jam video and study vocabulary, take notes and be prepared to explain 5 things you learned.
5 pts. Play Flower Reproduction Study Jam video and take quiz until you get 100%. |
5 pts. View Plants and Seeds Study Jam video and study vocabulary.
5 pts. View Plants and Seeds Study Jam video and take quiz until you get 100% |
10 pts. Study Encyclopedia of Nature, pages 128 and 129. Be prepared to summarize sharing at least 5 things you understand.
15 pts. Miscellaneous Reading about Plant Reproduction. You will find Madison Middle School Library has resoureces you can check out that will help you learn about how plants grow new plants. Here are a few titles you should look for:
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*Photosynthesis
5 pts. Watch Photosynthesis Study Jam video and study vocabulary.
5 pts. Watch Photosynthesis Study Jam video and sing Karaoke song. 5 pts. Watch Photosynthesis Study Jam video and take quiz until you get 100%. |
15 pts. Read Eyewitness Plant, by David Burnie, pgs. 14-15 and create a model, poster, or diorama explaining photosynthesis.
5 pts. Read Encyclopedia of Nature, pgs. 24-25 and be prepared to share orally 6 new things you understand.
15 pts. Read Encyclopedia of Nature, pgs. 24-25 and make a booklet explaining at least 6 ideas about photosynthesis.
10 pts. With a friend, print the article Photosynthesis for Kids and highlight with a yellow marker important information that helps you understand photosynthesis better. (Please close the adds by clicking on the X in the top corner. Be prepared to share with me.)
5 pts. Read Encyclopedia of Nature, pgs. 24-25 and be prepared to share orally 6 new things you understand.
15 pts. Read Encyclopedia of Nature, pgs. 24-25 and make a booklet explaining at least 6 ideas about photosynthesis.
10 pts. With a friend, print the article Photosynthesis for Kids and highlight with a yellow marker important information that helps you understand photosynthesis better. (Please close the adds by clicking on the X in the top corner. Be prepared to share with me.)
*Carnivorous Plants
15 pts. Miscellaneous Science Reading about Carnivorous plants.
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You will find Madison Middle School Library has books about carnivorous plants. Here are a few titles you should look for:
Mrs. Barton's Classroom Library includes these books to choose from:
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5 pts. View PBS Gross Science video for 2 pts. and write down 3 things learned for 3 more points.
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10 pts. View Plants Gone Savage video and write a rap highlighting concepts learned. 5 extra points for performing the rap for the class.
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10 pts. View Darwin's Darlings and draw a picture or make a collage illustrating what you understand about carnivorous plants.
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5 pts. View Plant DOC and take notes.
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5 pts. With a friend, print the article from Kids National Geographic an with a yellow highlighter mark key points.
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15 pts. Read the article Plant's Teeth and create a comic strip or short booklet sharing facts about carnivorous plants.
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10 pts. After reading the article from Learn About Nature, make 10 flashcards.
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20 pts. Read the article Carnivorous Plant Trapping Mechanisms and make up a game you can play with your friends that mimics carnivorous plants.
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15 pts. Study the article from Wayne's World and create non-fiction story that shares real facts about carnivorous plants. Illustrate the story for 5 bonus pts.
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5 pts. With a friend, take turns reading the article Carnivorous Plants out loud while the other person writes brief highlights.
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*Tropisms
5 pts. With a friend, watch Mr. Wizard Teaches about Tropism video. Discuss what you understand about tropism and be prepared to summarize with me.
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10 pts. Listen to Tropism Song and take note of new vocabulary words. Make Vocabulary cards for science words you heard.
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15 pts. Watch Tropism video, take notes, and create a poster or diorama to show how tropism works. (Works at home.)
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5 pts. Check out Looking at Plants, by David Suzuki from the Madison Middle School Library. Look up tropism and find 3 interesting facts about tropism you didn't previously understand.
5 pts. View the Tropism slides below and make a list of how tropism can help plants.
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*Transpiration
5 pts. Watch Transpiration video and take note of what transpiration is. (Will work at home or on Mrs. Barton's computer. YouTube)
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5 pts. Read this short Transpiration article and summarize in your notes what transporation is. 5 bonus points if you add a picture.
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5 pts. What does transpiration do for plants? What does transpiration do for people? Listen to the video What is Transpiration in Plants, and or follow along with the text below the video to help you understand more.
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10 pts. Watch this Transpiration Video and draw a picture with labels to teach what transpiration is. (Will work at home or on Mrs. Barton's computer. YouTube)
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5 pts. Read Plant Adaptations. (click on picture to enlarge) How might transpiration differ from one plant to the next?
10 pts. Read the definition of transpiration. Replicate the picture and answer the two questions at the bottom of the picture. (click on picture to enlarge)
Section 2. "B" Layer
Problem Solving Experiment
Complete one experiment for 15 points
Goals of Section 2 "B" Layer: Have you done some original thinking?
Have you processed information and then applied it in a creative way?
Some experiments require observation time.
You may ask permission to begin Section 3. "A" Layer if your experiment is up and going and there is nothing else you can do except observe and wait.
Problem Solving Experiment
Complete one experiment for 15 points
Goals of Section 2 "B" Layer: Have you done some original thinking?
Have you processed information and then applied it in a creative way?
Some experiments require observation time.
You may ask permission to begin Section 3. "A" Layer if your experiment is up and going and there is nothing else you can do except observe and wait.
The purpose of the "B" layer is for students to apply what they have learned. This layer requires a more complex kind of thinking. You are to come up with one essential question that relates to lessons studied in the first section, the "C" layer, then come up with a way to reach a conclusion about your question. You may research experiments, or better yet come up with one of your own, that will help you answer your essential question. What can you DO to PROVE how plants adapt, reproduce, grow, or benefit us? I will be happy to help provide materials when needed, but you are to develop the procedure and solution.
15 pts. possible earned by completing experiment and summary as outlined below.
This file will give you a form to use for your "B" Layer Written Summary:
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Layer "B" IDEA BANK at the BOTTOM of this PAGE!
Section 3. "A" Layer
Analyze a Current or Significant Issue
20 points possible
20 points possible
In order to get an "A" for this unit you need to demonstrate the ability to do some critical thinking. You will research current facts or expert information and then use that research to form an opinion. Choose one question from the list. You will find sources for each of these questions below, or you may research your own reputable sources.
Questions:
- Is organic farming better than conventional farming? Farmers who grow organic produce and meat don’t use harsh chemicals to fertilize, control weeds or prevent livestock disease, instead they apply sophisticated crop rotation methods and spread mulch or manure to keep weeds at bay.
- Is genetic engineering in crops a good or a bad thing?
- Are pesticides good or bad?
After reading and researching your issue (using at least 3 resources), form an opinion of your own. Write two good paragraphs (5-8 sentences) defending your position. You are free to take either side of the issue, as long as you use evidence to support your opinion. Use the template below to record your information. (click to enlarge)
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Read the article Organic vs Conventional or go to the website: http://www.kidsrighttoknow.com/organic-vs-conventional/
Read the article Organic Farming or go to the website:
http://encyclopedia.kids.net.au/page/or/Organic_farming Read the article The Pros and Cons of Buying Organic Food or go to the website:
http://www.everydayhealth.com/kids-health/buying-organic-food-for-kids.aspx |
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Read the article What is Genetic Engineering and What Can Genetic Engineering Do?
Read What's Wrong with Genetic Engineering
Definition & Benefits of Genetic Engineering:
Watch the video until it stops, or read the article. Concerns about GMO (genetically modified foods) from http://www.kidsrighttoknow.com/gmos/
Short paragraph with a few ideas about Genetically Modified Foods on Fact Monster. A list of Pros and Cons of GMO Foods. |
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Read the first two paragraphs of the article Use of Pesticides, or watch the video from the beginning to minute 2:40. Website: http://study.com/academy/lesson/use-of-pesticides-benefits-and-problems-associated-with-pesticides.html
Read about pesticide use, biological control, natural chemical control, and genetic control or watch the video until it stops, and then read the end of the last paragraph. Website: http://study.com/academy/lesson/alternative-pest-control-methods-for-agricultural-use.html
Read the article Pesticides Linked to Kids' Cancer Risks.
Website: http://www.livescience.com/52161-pesticides-linked-kids-cancer.html |
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Overall Grading: A = 86-100 B = 71-85 C = 55-70 D = 40-54