Welcome!

 Hello educators and scholars! 

My name is Katie and I am a pre-service teacher at the University of Mary Washington. As a part of my EDUC 303 - Scientific Inquiry course, I had the ability to create an online resource tool for educators and scholars to use. One of the main goals of this course is to ensure technology integration as a tool, resource, and learning experience for students. Hopefully, I did a decent job in ensuring that the resources providing is as accessible and provides an opportunity to enhance virtual and technological learning. 

For this resource site, I will be focusing on the Virginia Standards of Learning on Plants -- especially on Virginian plants. Take your time looking into the resources and creating ways to integrate these ideas into your lesson plans. 

My professor, Dr. Lewis, emphasized that is important to create lifelong experiences for our scholars. Think outside the box and let your scientists embrace an experience that will last them a lifetime! 

Sincerely, 

Katie 

Activities

 

ACTIVITIES

Hello educators! In this section, I tried my best to create some activities that you can use for your classroom. These activities are designed to be accessible to students while enhancing their learning. I hope they are as useful as they can be, but always accommodate these activities to your student's needs! I would recommend these activities to be used for review!

ACTIVITIES:    

        ·       Activity #1: Chlorophyll Rubbing

·       Activity #2: Cause and Effect

·       Activity #3: Create your own Plant

·       Activity #4: Make your Plant Story

·       Activity #5: Language Cards (Spanish and French)

Google Doc Link to the Activities Mentioned Here

Worksheets

Disclaimer: These resources are not made by me, these are respectfully created by the rightful owner for educational use. It is also recommended that worksheets be placed in engineering notebooks as supplemental resources. 

Teachers Pay Teachers: 

• Twinkl Printable Resource - Parts of a Plant: A simple and easy to identify worksheet for students to label different parents of a plant and flower (Free). 
  
  
• Teaching Today - All About Plants Freebie: Handout that students can label and sort the basic information of plants (Free) 
  
  
• Having a Fields Day - Plants Freebie: What is a Seed?: This file can be converted as a digital activity for students in virtual learning settings. Students will learn about seeds through the informational sheets, worksheets, and also suggestions on hands-on activity (Free). 
  
  
• Smith Science and Lit - Animal and Plant Cell Match and Color: Also a digital activity for students in a virtual learning setting! Students can use a color code chart for the different cell strcutures. Creators recommend the activity as an introductory guide. 

Teach-nology: 

• Plant Acrostic Poem: Students can create acrostic poems that tell something about plants. They can get extremely creative with this worksheet as students create poetry about their knowledge of plants. 
  
  
• KWL chart: At the beginning of the unit have a quick pre-assessment about what students know about plants and what they want to learn. By the end of the unit, have students revisit their charts about what they learned to see the improvements they made over time!
   
• Plant Group Creative Writing: Let your student's creativity go wild with these assignments. In groups, have students come up with a story with the words listed on the worksheet. Students will have 25 minutes to come up with a story, no matter how creative it gets. Encourage students to share their stories with peers to show that not all stories are alike

Twinkl

• Plant coloring pages: Some days require just a coloring day, have students print out and color these sheets! If that's not enough, encourage students to research and write a short story about their plant's life-cycle, maybe they'll learn something new that day! 
  
  
• Colouring Plant Pots: Similar to the plant coloring page, let students color! Better yet, let them create their own plant. Have students come up with a new species of flowers and let them write an informational page on how the plant behaves, adapts, and survives. 
  
  
  

Topics to Discuss in the Classroom

 As educators, it is important to combat real-world issues - after all, they are our future. In this post, there will be a list of topics that educators are encouraged to discuss/integrate into their lessons. Many of these topics can also lead to long-term projects as students can be scholars and solve real-world issues which creates a lifetime experience for them. Many of the issues listed are broad and flexible that can co-exist with the Virginia SOL standards on life sciences. 

The Environment 

Pollution: There are seven types of pollution -- air, water, soil, noise, radioactive, light, and thermal pollution. Students can explore the length of time it takes to recuperate from pollution. They can also explore the consequences of industry and motor vehicle exhaust and how plastic is toxins from pollution. In correlation to plants, students can investigate the effects of soil pollution and how it can alter plant metabolism or how plants become sick and die. Students can observe this especially through acid rain and how important pH levels are to animals and plants. 

Soil degradation: The decline of soil conditions based is another hot topic to talk about with students. As soil degradation is caused by agriculture, industrial, and commercial pollution; there is less arable land now. Students can also observe other facts such as urban expansion, overgrazing, and unsustainable agriculture practices, and their long-term effects. Another discussion can also include the clogging of waterways and the destruction of species' habitat, biodiversity, and soil fertitlity. 

Global Warming: Climate change are a result of human practices. This leads to rising temperatures of the earth's surface and ocean which results in natural disasters. Students can discuss the nature of global warming and the effects they have on a local level. They can create projects observing temperature and notice any changes in their academic years in comparison to temperatures a decade ago. Students can also be involved in news reports and research if rises in flooding, drought, hurricanes occured more frequently in recent years than ten years ago. 

Human Involvement 

Overpopulation: The earth is facing challenges as it is reaching unsustainable levels because of shortages of water, fuel, and food. Due to intensive agriculture practices to produce food, it damages the earth because of the usage of chemical fertilizer, pesticides, insecticides. Students can discuss agricultural practices and how to find sustainable methods of agriculture. The teacher can use this topic as a long-term project where students can explore and plan alternative forms of farming within the classroom and combat issues such as water shortage, food shortages, and affordable sustainable living. 

Natural Resource Depletion: Humans use so many natural resources! As humans advance, we will increase our need for natural resources. One day, we might run out of those resources. Teachers and students can engage in a discussion about alternative methods -- especially through renewable resources. Students can explore the use of renewable resources, cost, benefits, and long-term effects it would have on the earth. 

Local Issues 

Invasive species: invasive species are either accidentally or intentionally introduced by human activity,  which can cause harm to native species, natural resources, and humans. Virginia's Department of Conservation and Recreation has provided a list of invasive species that causes a threat to native species. The DCR created an online database that searches for invasive species based on Virginia's geographic region. Students can explore in their own backyards to see if invasive species live around them. They can also create solutions for eliminating these threats to the native environment in a sustainable way. 

Conservation: Virginia is known to be a land of history, what about our natural history? Virginia's parks, forests, mountains, and oceans define our state. Students can create projects that focus on preserving nature, like picking up trash on their walks. Students can also create discussions about the importance of conservation and tie it with issues like overpopulation and how to preserve nature but also combatting issues like urbanization. 

Deforestation: As urbanization grows (especially in Northern Virginia) more trees are being torn down in order to create more homes. Students can discuss the effects of deforestation such as pollution and how to combat these issues. They can also find alternative methods of preserving forests and integrating programs that encourages more tree growth in Virginia. 

Websites for Research

 Disclaimer: many of these websites are suited for learners of all ages, I attached the recommended grade level based on the Virginia SOL (2018). 

Kid's Valley Webgarden: Kid's Valley Webgarden provides a plethora of information about the process of gardening. Students are able to use this website to research the importance of nutrients and care that plants need. They can also observe the process of germination and how to do it at home. The site list common gardening plants and the conditions they live best in. Students can use this information to research how the environment plays an important role in plant growth. 

Science SOL: K.7, 1.4, 1.7 

Glossary of Botanical Terms: Gardenlifepro's glossary can help students understand botanical definition and terminology. During the unit, students can create their own dictionary of words to refer to throughout the unit. This gives them an opportunity to expand their own vocabulary as well as experiencing the importance of prefixes and suffixes

Science SOL: All Grade Levels 

Photographic Atlas of Plant Anatomy: this site provides realistic images of plant anatomy, including close-up imagery of plant cells. This image is great to use when trying to show students how plant cells look under a microscope. They can observe the shapes, uniformity (or non-uniformity) of cells. The site also provides images of xylem development, cell walls, and phloem. This is a great tool to use in a virtual classroom if students cannot have hands-on experience in a lab. 

Science SOL: 4.6, LS.2, LS.4 

Biology of Plants: Created by Missouri Botanical Garden, Biology of Plants is a website that allows students an easy introduction to plant parts, plant development, and their adaptations. The site is suited for early readers and provides additional resources such as lesson plants (for educators), songs to sing too, and additional links to explain how other external factors that play into the role of the plant life cycle. 

Science SOL: K.7, 1.4, 1.7, 2.4, 2.5, 2.7, 2.8

Newsela: A great site for students to research contemporary issues such as climate change, deforestation, and other environmental information. The goal of Newsela is to provide factual information for ALL learners regardless of reading levels. It provides text suited for different readers. In terms of plants, they provide articles about abiotic stress, the importance of native plants, and the role of animals in the plant life cycle. 

Science SOL: All Grade Levels 

Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation: On a more local level, the DCR is a great resource for students to explore the importance of native plants in Virginia. The DCR presents issues about native species and invasive species in Virginia. This allows students to be presented with local issues and trying to research/solve these problems. This site also provides brochures that divide native species by region (Coastal Plains, Piedmont, Grasslands, Mountains, Riparian). The DCR also provides a Native Plant Finder where students can research how each region has different soils, elevation, hydrology, and climate. 

Science SOL: All Grade levels

Plant Virginia Natives: This site provides resources for identifying native plants in Virginia. The site provides a list of local species and their scientific names, plant type, foliage, and the environment they enjoy to grow in. Not only does the site establish the importance of preserving native plant species in Virginia, but it also provides preservation at a local level by region or counties. This research can lead to many great projects, especially if students want to build their own school garden using native species as they research and observe the importance of avoiding invasive species and how native plants are important to local organisms. 

Science SOL: All Grade Levels 

Virginia Living Musem - Plants: The VLM provides a listing of native species in Virginia. This site is useful for elementary-age students as they can research plant portfolios and environmental preferences. 

Science SOL: 1.7

Virginia Department of Forestry: Another great site to talk about local issues in Virginia. The DOF focuses more on forest development, but also talks about invasive species and combating those issues. The DOF website provides additional education resources for all grade levels (and adult education). They include webinars, worksheets, videos, and programs educators can get involved in. 

Science SOL: All Grade Levels 

More Scientific Inquiry!

 

In such a technological world, it is important to implement technology in the classroom! In this post, I will list items that can enrich a student's lessons. 

Merge Cube: Merge Cube is a hands-on digital teaching aid that shows the world in the palm of your hands. There are over 1000 digital teaching aids for students and provides engaging activities in remote or in-class learning. It is a foam cube with patterns on the side that you can with a compatible app. The cube will turn into augmented reality and students can experience their object from all angles! 

The best thing about Merge Cube is that you can purchase your own cube ($19.99), or print a FREE paper cube online. 

Epic!: Epic is an online website that has a digital reading platform for students and educators. It has 400,000 books that are built for students ages 12 and under. Epic allows students to read along with one of the audio ebook it has. It helps students track their reading progress and the best of it all, it's free for educators to use. 

Skype a Scientist: Students can meet an actual scientist and hold conversations with them! This is a great opportunity for students to meet professionals in any field and ask questions about their jobs, about the topic you're learning about, and learn that scientist are just like you and me. Of course, you would need to set an appointment in advance but the life experience is priceless. Students can meet scientists from archelogy, engineers, astronomers, to plant scientists! 

Gizmos: Gizmos is a tool that has online simulations for math and science for all grade levels. For life sciences, students are able to grow their own plants, watch germination occur, and observe the steps for pollination. This is a great tool to use especially in virtual learning so students can still explore. Gizmo simulations are created by teachers for teachers! There are also lesson plans that integrate the simulations.  

Autodraw: is a website that allows students to draw! Autodraw not only allows students to freehand their own art, but it also provides models and premade pictures that students can use as references. This site can relate to a plant unit as students can create their own plant model and label the parts on their own. They can use Autodraw as an activity where they create their own plants while creating an official guide of their plant's information. 

Scratch/Scratch Jr: a perfect tool to introduce programming to students. Scratch uses block-based programming that students can use to create games, animations, or other tools and resources! For an activity, students can use Autodraw to create an animation of the plant life cycle or create a game that labels the plant parts. There's so much to be done, do not underestimate what students can create using Scratch! (link)

Experiments

 

Disclaimer: Many of these ideas come from other education sources, they will be attached as a link so you will be able to go and check out thorough instructions! All I provide is a small summary of these projects. 

Can Plants Stop Soil Erosion? - Science Buddies 

Students will be posed the question, can plants stop soil erosions? This project is a great way to introduce students to erosion as well as how plants are a vital and necessary part of the environment. Teachers can later enrich students with questions asking how plants impact the human environment. 

Celery Experiment - KiwiCo

Through the celery experiments, students can observe how roots absorb water! This experiment allows students to explore through vocabularies such as xylem and capillary action as they watch dyed water being absorbed. Alternatively, you can have students use paper towels for a similar learning effect! 

Do Seeds Need Light and Dirt to Germinate? - LifeWithMooreBabies

This experiment helps students learn what seeds only need to grow, it could be a very fascinating experiment for your student especially when they think seeds need sunlight and soil to germinate. It is a cost-efficient experiment that will have students discussing it throughout the week. It will create discussions in your classroom about how seeds survive. 

What Soil is the Best Type for Growing Seeds

The goal of this experiment is for students to learn the growth of seeds and the effect different soils have on this growth. Just like the title of this experiment, students will be exploring how seeds grow in different soil. Once the experiment is conducted, this would be a great opportunity to discuss with students about plant adaptation and climate change--as soil changes due to environmental concerns, what will happen to our plants?  

Algae and Pollution Experiment 

The goal of the experiment is to talk about how pollutants affect algae growth. This experiment also provides student research material that educators can use. This experiment layout embraces enhanced learning as it provides questions that students can really think about by using real-life scenarios. Students can learn and observe how pollutants affect plant life and how it can damage our ecosystem. 

Sprouting Sweet Potato Experiment 

A fun experiment to teach young scholars about plant growth. Students will be amazed to see a half-cut sweet potato grow roots and sprout! The experiment is very simple to do and does require some time, this is a great opportunity for students to be involved in daily writing and observation in their engineering notebooks. 

Parts of a Plant Lollipop 

Okay maybe it doesn't involve actual plants, but it involves plant parts! Students can create their own model of parts of a plant. This is a fun and easy experiment to introduce (or reintroduce) part of a plant to students. Students then can draw this model in their notebooks to use as a reference for later (because we all know that lollipop is going to disappear). 

Growing a Self-Sustainable Plant Ecosystem 

This experiment teaches about plant growth, the water cycle, and the ecosystem. Students will create their own self-sustainable ecosystem in the classroom. All that you need is some soil, a plastic soda bottle, water, and some seeds. Throughout this project, students can do weekly observations on changes they notice in their self-sustaining ecosystem.