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Six 50-minute classes.
This is the first of three lessons focusing on Wisconsin Fast Plants™.
Students will explore, research and discover, fast plant’s basic
needs, the parts of a seed and observe their beginning growth patterns
and life cycles. Wisconsin Fast Plants™ are flowering plants
that progress through their complete life cycle (germinate, mature
and go to seed) in about 40 days, allowing the students to observe
each stage of growth and development first-hand. Students gain an understanding
of the characteristics of living organisms and their relationship with
and dependence upon their environment.
During this lesson students will plant seeds, observe and tend plants.
They will learn the major plant parts, how to germinate and troubleshoot
problems with plants; and, that plants need water, light, and soil
nutrients to thrive. A concept map will be created noting prior and
current knowledge and a Plant Growth Data Log will be used to chart
growth, observations, predictions, experimental variables, and personal
reflections. Digital photos will be taken throughout the lesson to
document the various stages of the plant’s life cycle. By the
end of this lesson students will have experienced the scientific processes
of observing, communicating, comparing, and sequencing. Lesson 2, Just
Bee-tween Flowers!, picks up with interdependency between bees and
Brassica plants, while Lesson 3, Flowers, Pods and Seeds, brings the
life cycle of fast plants full circle.
Concepts
• Many plants follow a life cycle that begins with growth from a seed
and proceeds through the production of seeds.
• Plants have distinct stages in their life cycle.
• To live and grow, plants need light, water, and nutrients from the
soil.
Science, Mathematics, Language Arts
The learner will:
• Observe and describe a number of seeds.
• Plant and care for Wisconsin Fast Plants™ (Brassica rapa) throughout their
life cycle.
• Observe, describe and record changes in plants.
• Compare and discuss changes occurring in plants over time.
• Measure, record and chart growth of plants.
• Graph and compare growth patterns.
• Predict future growth from observations and measurements.
• Identify parts of a plant.
• Discuss major needs of plants.
• Read to learn more about plants.
• Communicate results and reflect on experiences through writing, drawing and
discussion.
• Develop interest in studying the life cycle of plants.
• Develop sensitivity to the needs of plants
• Chart growth of plant in Microsoft® Excel® or other spreadsheet program
appropriate for this age.
• Recognize how plants are a benefit to people and our planet.
Louisiana Science Content Standards:
State Standards for Curriculum Development
http:www.doe.state.la.us/doe/assessment/standards/SCIENCE.pdf
SCIENCE AS INQUIRY
The students will do science by engaging in partial and full
inquiries that are within their developmental capabilities.
Benchmarks K-4
The abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
SI-E-A1: Asking appropriate questions about organisms and events
in the environment;
SI-E-A2: Planning and/or designing and conducting a scientific
investigation;
SI-E-A3: Communicating that observations are made with one’s
senses;
SI-E-A4: Employing equipment and tools to gather data and extend
the sensory observations;
SI-E-A5: Using data, including numbers and graphs, to explain
observations and experiments;
SI-E-A6: Communicating observations and experiments in oral and
written formats;
SI-E-A7: Utilizing safety procedures during experiments.
LIFE SCIENCE
The students will become aware of the characteristics and
life cycles of organisms and understand their relationships
to each
other and to their environment.
Benchmarks K-4
LS-E-A1: Identifying the needs of plants and animals,
based on age-appropriate recorded observations;
LS-E-A2: Distinguishing between living and nonliving
things;
LS-E-A3: Locating and comparing major plant and animal
structures and their functions;
LS-E-A4: Recognizing that there is great diversity among
organisms;
LS-E-B1: Observing and describing the life cycles of
some plants and animals;
LS-E-B2: Observing, comparing, and grouping plants and
animals according to likenesses and/or differences;
LS-E-B3: Observing and recording how the offspring of
plants and animals are similar to their parents;
LS-E-C3: Observing animals and plants and describing
interaction or interdependence.
• Kidspiration® Concept Map Template (file)
• Fast Plant™ Vocabulary Word List
• Plant Growth Data Log (file)
•
Experimental Values (file)
• Science Journal Template (file)
•
Seed Observation Chart
• Planting Wisconsin Fast Plant™ Seeds
PDF
