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All grades  Project 2 weeks

"Plantastic Parts & Adaptation Adventure!"

Chloe M
2-LS4-1
K-LS1-1
4-LS1-1
Productive Collaborator
Critical Thinker
+ 1 more
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Purpose

This project aims to immerse students in the exploration of plant adaptations and anatomy through hands-on activities and collaborative learning. By engaging in model building, digital storytelling, and peer teaching, students will develop a deeper understanding of how plants survive and thrive in diverse environments. The experience fosters critical thinking and collaboration, encouraging students to observe, document, and creatively present their findings, while meeting educational standards and competencies.

Learning goals

Students will explore and understand the key functions of plant parts and how they support the plant's life cycle. They will develop skills in observation, critical thinking, and collaboration by engaging in hands-on activities and peer-teaching sessions. Additionally, students will enhance their communication skills by creating and presenting their findings in a 'Science Fair of Flora' and a digital interactive storybook. Through reflection journals, they will track their learning journey, incorporating new vocabulary and insights about plant adaptations.
Standards
  • [Kentucky] 2-LS4-1 - Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
  • [Kentucky] K-LS1-1 - Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
  • [Kentucky] 4-LS1-1 - Construct an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction.
Competencies
  • Productive Collaborator - Engages with others to achieve a common goal through building positive relationships, actively listening, showing empathy, and making individual contributions to a larger group.
  • Critical Thinker - Thinks deeply and makes informed decisions to create solutions or new understanding supported by relevant and reliable evidence.
  • Empowered Learner - Demonstrates mastery and application of academic competencies. Develops the skills and dispositions to persist through difficulties and plan for a future of self-improvement.

Products

Students will create a digital interactive storybook that showcases various plant adaptations, complete with narratives and illustrations that explain how these adaptations aid in plant survival. They will also construct physical models of plants using craft materials, highlighting specific adaptations and their roles in survival and reproduction. Additionally, students will develop creative presentations for the 'Science Fair of Flora', using posters, models, or digital formats to share their research and findings with the community.

Launch

Begin the project with an engaging 'Virtual Botanical Garden Tour' where students explore diverse plant species and their unique adaptations. Encourage them to take detailed notes on the fascinating features they observe, which will serve as inspiration for their own research projects. This immersive experience will spark curiosity and provide a real-world context for understanding how plants adapt to their environments.

Exhibition

Students will organize a 'Science Fair of Flora' where they present their research on plant adaptations through various creative mediums, such as posters, models, or digital presentations. The exhibition will be open to community members, who will be invited to engage with students by asking questions and providing feedback. This event will allow students to showcase their understanding and creativity while fostering a sense of accomplishment and community involvement.