PLANTS AND PLANT GROWTH

Plants and Plant Growth

Author(s): Stephanie Brown
www.microsoft.com
www.wested.org
www.iste.org
www.urbanext.illinois.edu
www.indianastandards.org

Grade Level: 4th/5th grade

Timeframe: 5 days: 45 minutes/day

Lesson Description or Explanation

Students will create a slideshow presentation using power point to showcase their new findings about plant parts and how they grow. Students will have the opportunity to research using resources such as books and the internet. Students will also grow a lima bean seed and document its growth by written or digital photography and include this data in their presentation.

Indiana Curricular Standards

4.1-Students, working collaboratively, carry out investigations. They observe and make accurate measurements, increase their use of tools and instruments, record data in journals, and communicate results through chart, graph, written, and verbal forms.

ISTE Standards

Creativity and Innovation-Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology.
a. Apply existing knowledge to generate new idea, products, or processes.
b. Create original works as a means of person or group expression.

Communication and Collaboration-Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual leaning and contribute to the learning of others.
a. Interact, collaborate, and publish with peers,
b. Communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats.


Assessments: Formative/Summative

Formative: Assessment will be made throughout the research process. Notebooks will be checked consistently to assess new findings and to monitor the students are on task continually for the duration of this lesson.

Summative: The final power point presentation will be a form of summative assessment. Students need to include the appropriate information and have pictures that are related and depict the plant parts and growth of a plant. The end result of the lima bean seed also needs to be included.

Presentation needs to include:
Labeled plant parts and pictures
Stages of plant growth
Information pertaining to the lima bean experiment


Prior Knowledge

Curricular Knowledge or Skills: The review discussion will demonstrate what the students already know about his topic. Students will be able to access the internet for sites related to plants and other keywords.

Technology Knowledge: Students will have had experience with the basic internet research and power point. Students will need previous experience using a digital camera or be supported by a knowledgeable user.

Technology

Internet Resources: http://urbanext.illinois.edu/gpe/index.html
Software: The Great Plant Escape CD-ROM
Hardware: Computer (research, power point), Digital camera

Procedure

Day 1

• The teacher will read The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle to introduce the students to the topic.
  
• The class will review and discuss what they know about this topic currently.
  
• Students will receive and choose the materials they need to plant their lima bean seed. (seed, plastic bag, paper towel, soil, Dixie cup)
  
• Students will choose how and where to plant their seed.

Day 2

• Students will have access to books and the internet to research information about plants.
• Students will document or draw pictures in their writer’s notebook to record new findings and/or new vocabulary.
• Students will record growth and noticings of their seed.

Day 3

• Students will visit and explore The Great Plant Escape website to further their knowledge on topic
• Students will complete interactive activities that are listed on website.
• Students will record growth and noticings of seed.

Day 4

• Students will begin creating their slideshow.
• Students will record growth and noticing s of seed.

Day 5

• Students will finalize their slideshow.
• Students will present their information to the class by showing their power point slide show on plants and plant growth.

Differentiated Instruction

ESL
The Great Plant Escape is also offered in Spanish to be used by the ESL students in the class. This website offers excellent pictures to the students as a visual representation. ESL students may also be paired up with another student to collaborate on information and final slideshow. If needed ESL students may use pictures only to deliver their information. ESL students may also be supported by having the information presented to them audibly. There may be students who may not be able to read English as well but may be able to comprehend the information more successfully by having it read to them. Resources to support diverse learners can be found at www.wested.org.

Challenge/Extend
Students will be able to document their information using excel and include this data in their presentation. Students may continue documenting their lima bean seed or further their experiment by planning other seeds and researching information and including this information in their presentation.

Special Needs
Students with disabilities will be able to access this information by using other resources that support their learning. Alternative input devices that allow students to control their computers through means other than a standard keyboard or pointing device. (Microsoft.com) Students that may need other tools to support their learning can be found at wested.org and will benefit the needs of all learners in the class.