4.4 Plant Anatomy and Life Processes
The student will investigate and understand basic plant anatomy and life processes. Key concepts include
a) the structures of typical plants and the function of each structure;
b) processes and structures involved with plant reproduction;
c) photosynthesis; and
d) adaptations allow plants to satisfy life needs and respond to the environment.
The student will investigate and understand basic plant anatomy and life processes. Key concepts include
a) the structures of typical plants and the function of each structure;
b) processes and structures involved with plant reproduction;
c) photosynthesis; and
d) adaptations allow plants to satisfy life needs and respond to the environment.
Understanding the Standard:
· For many typical green plants, there are anatomical structures that perform certain basic functions. For example, roots anchor the plants and take water and nutrients from the soil. Plant stems provide support and allow movement of water and nutrients.
· Plants can be divided into two general groups: those that produce seeds and those that produce spores.
· Many seed-producing plants have roots, stems, leaves, and flowers.
· Seeds vary considerably in size. Orchids, for example, produce seeds as small as dust particles. The coconut is one of the largest seeds in the plant kingdom. In many seeds, the protective outer seed coat is resistant to physical damage and may also contain waxes and oils that help prevent water loss.
· The embryo within the seed begins as a single cell, the zygote. The basic organs of the plant body can be found in the embryo. In some seeds the embryonic leaves are quite large, filling most of the volume of the seed. The embryonic leaves are a major source of stored food for the embryo. Beans are an example of plants with large embryonic leaves. In many other plants the embryonic leaves are relatively small, and the embryo is nourished by a tissue called endosperm.
· Pollination is part of the reproductive process of flowering plants. Pollination is the process by which pollen is transferred from the stamens to the stigma.
· The stamen and pistil are reproductive parts of the flower. The sepals are the small leaves that form the housing of the developing flower.
· Some plants reproduce with spores. These include ferns and mosses.
· Green plants produce their own food through the process of photosynthesis. Green plants use chlorophyll to produce food (sugar), using carbon dioxide, water, enzymes and other chemicals, and sunlight. Leaves are the primary food-producing part of these plants.
· Oxygen is released during photosynthesis.
· Plants adapt to changes in their environment in order to survive. Dormancy is a plant adaptation. Dormancy is a period of suspended life processes brought on by changes in the environment.
· For many typical green plants, there are anatomical structures that perform certain basic functions. For example, roots anchor the plants and take water and nutrients from the soil. Plant stems provide support and allow movement of water and nutrients.
· Plants can be divided into two general groups: those that produce seeds and those that produce spores.
· Many seed-producing plants have roots, stems, leaves, and flowers.
· Seeds vary considerably in size. Orchids, for example, produce seeds as small as dust particles. The coconut is one of the largest seeds in the plant kingdom. In many seeds, the protective outer seed coat is resistant to physical damage and may also contain waxes and oils that help prevent water loss.
· The embryo within the seed begins as a single cell, the zygote. The basic organs of the plant body can be found in the embryo. In some seeds the embryonic leaves are quite large, filling most of the volume of the seed. The embryonic leaves are a major source of stored food for the embryo. Beans are an example of plants with large embryonic leaves. In many other plants the embryonic leaves are relatively small, and the embryo is nourished by a tissue called endosperm.
· Pollination is part of the reproductive process of flowering plants. Pollination is the process by which pollen is transferred from the stamens to the stigma.
· The stamen and pistil are reproductive parts of the flower. The sepals are the small leaves that form the housing of the developing flower.
· Some plants reproduce with spores. These include ferns and mosses.
· Green plants produce their own food through the process of photosynthesis. Green plants use chlorophyll to produce food (sugar), using carbon dioxide, water, enzymes and other chemicals, and sunlight. Leaves are the primary food-producing part of these plants.
· Oxygen is released during photosynthesis.
· Plants adapt to changes in their environment in order to survive. Dormancy is a plant adaptation. Dormancy is a period of suspended life processes brought on by changes in the environment.
Book Resources:
Time for Kids: Plants!
By Editors of TIME for Kids & Brenda Iasevoli. 2006. 32p. HarperCollins. (978-0060782184).
Grades 1+
Ages 6+
http://tinyurl.com/7qrz7dq
*Time for Kids is a great source for children to browse through at all ages. This issue focuses on plants perfect for this strand of the SOL! Plus learn some interesting facts about plants.
Grades 1+
Ages 6+
http://tinyurl.com/7qrz7dq
*Time for Kids is a great source for children to browse through at all ages. This issue focuses on plants perfect for this strand of the SOL! Plus learn some interesting facts about plants.
Skunk Cabbage, Sundew Plants, and Strangler Figs: And 18 More of the Strangest Plants on Earth
By Sally Kneidel. 2001. 128p. Jossey-Bass. (978-0471357131).
Grades 2+
Ages 8+
http://tinyurl.com/7ce4gy6
*This is a great book to pull out when you have extra time with your students. It makes learning about plants fun and might answer some of the questions your students may have. Really interesting book!
Grades 2+
Ages 8+
http://tinyurl.com/7ce4gy6
*This is a great book to pull out when you have extra time with your students. It makes learning about plants fun and might answer some of the questions your students may have. Really interesting book!
Understanding Photosynthesis with Max Axiom, Super Scientist (Graphic Science Series)
By Liam O'Donnell. 2007. 32p. Capstone Press. (978-0736878937).
Grades 3+
Ages 8+
http://tinyurl.com/75eplpr
*This book is the winner of the 2008 Teachers Choice Award for Childrens Books*This book is in a novel format and shows the advent sure of the super scientist, Max Axiom. Students will learn about photosynthesis in a fun and innovative way!
Grades 3+
Ages 8+
http://tinyurl.com/75eplpr
*This book is the winner of the 2008 Teachers Choice Award for Childrens Books*This book is in a novel format and shows the advent sure of the super scientist, Max Axiom. Students will learn about photosynthesis in a fun and innovative way!
Eyewitness Plant (DK Eyewitness Books)
By David Burnie. 2011. 72p. DK Publishing. (978-0756660352).
Grades 3+
Ages 8+
http://tinyurl.com/6vlqfaf
*This is another DK Eyewitness book. I am a huge fan of these especially for older grades. I think its a great book for students to really get into science and this particular book is about plants.
Grades 3+
Ages 8+
http://tinyurl.com/6vlqfaf
*This is another DK Eyewitness book. I am a huge fan of these especially for older grades. I think its a great book for students to really get into science and this particular book is about plants.
The Tiny Seed
By Eric Carle. 2009. 36p. Little Simon. (978-1416979173).
All Grades
Ages 3+
http://tinyurl.com/7ttf7t8
*This is really an early reader book but Eric Carle is classic and the pictures are awesome. I would suggest to use this book to introduce the story of the plant life cycle. Or it could be a book that you allow students to look through in centers. Great pictures!
All Grades
Ages 3+
http://tinyurl.com/7ttf7t8
*This is really an early reader book but Eric Carle is classic and the pictures are awesome. I would suggest to use this book to introduce the story of the plant life cycle. Or it could be a book that you allow students to look through in centers. Great pictures!
Study Jams:
*Study Jams: Plants
http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/index.htm
**Roots and Stems, Photosynthesis, Gymnosperms, flowers, plant cells, Plant Parts, Plants with Seeds, Angiosperms, Plants without Seeds, Plant Adaptations, Mosses and Ferns, and The Kingdom of Life.
http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/index.htm
**Roots and Stems, Photosynthesis, Gymnosperms, flowers, plant cells, Plant Parts, Plants with Seeds, Angiosperms, Plants without Seeds, Plant Adaptations, Mosses and Ferns, and The Kingdom of Life.
Interactive Websites for Children:
http://www.quia.com/jg/65498.html
*This website has flashcards, matching, concentration, and a word search all related to plants and its structure
Plant Parts #2:
http://www.quia.com/jg/317482.html
Grow a Plant:
http://www.fossweb.com/modulesK-2/NewPlants/index.html
*This website is really fun. Allow students to go on during computer time or computer center and grow their own garden. Brings a garden into the classroom.
Photosynthesis Flashcards:
http://www.quia.com/jg/122289list.html
*If you are teaching about photosynthesis, here are some flashcards on important vocabulary for photosynthesis.
Plant Life Cycle: Interactive Site
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/9_10/life_cycles.shtml
*Great website to get your students on to go through the motions of the plant life cycle.
*This website has flashcards, matching, concentration, and a word search all related to plants and its structure
Plant Parts #2:
http://www.quia.com/jg/317482.html
Grow a Plant:
http://www.fossweb.com/modulesK-2/NewPlants/index.html
*This website is really fun. Allow students to go on during computer time or computer center and grow their own garden. Brings a garden into the classroom.
Photosynthesis Flashcards:
http://www.quia.com/jg/122289list.html
*If you are teaching about photosynthesis, here are some flashcards on important vocabulary for photosynthesis.
Plant Life Cycle: Interactive Site
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/9_10/life_cycles.shtml
*Great website to get your students on to go through the motions of the plant life cycle.
Printable Worksheets and Activity Links:
Flower Paper Project:
http://www.education.com/worksheet/article/flower-paper-project/
*Worksheet for students to fill in the parts of the flower and plant. They can also color there own flower!
Parts of the Plant:
http://superteacherworksheets.com/science/plant-parts_WMTFQ.pdf
*A very simple worksheet to maybe give students at the beginning of the unit to see what they do know about the parts of a plant. The second sheet provides teachers with answers.
Plants: Scavenger Hunt Activity:
http://superteacherworksheets.com/science/plant-scav-hunt_WMTFM.pdf
*Plant a fun scavenger hunt on plants for your students! Makes it interactive and fun.
Plant Part Labeling and Color:
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/plants/label/plant/
*A much more in depth worksheet on plant anatomy. It also provides definitions for the students to figure out where each word belongs.
Plant Challenge: Figure out what four letter words are hidden in the puzzlehttp://www.education.com/worksheet/article/four-letter-wrords-plants/
*Something fun to have when students finish up an assignment. (Fast finisher folder)
Seed and Seedling Word Search:
http://www.education.com/worksheet/article/seeds-seedlings-word-search/
*Again a great fast finisher worksheet for fun.
Assessments:
Teacher's Guide to Plants:http://www.theteachersguide.com/plantsflowers.htm
*awesome website that includes lesson plants, activities, and assessments
Plant Part Assessment:
http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/science/plants.htm
*Here is a short assessment to give to your students on plant parts. At the top are teacher notes.
*awesome website that includes lesson plants, activities, and assessments
Plant Part Assessment:
http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/science/plants.htm
*Here is a short assessment to give to your students on plant parts. At the top are teacher notes.