Total Duration: |
Greater than 120 Minutes |
Materials and Resources: |
science journal/notebook, pencils, colored pencils or markers, clear plastic cups, spray bottles with water, paper towels, copies of the Plants without Soil Journal sheet, copies of Growing Plants without Soil, and bean seeds |
Technology Resources Needed: |
electronic device with internet access |
Background/Preparation: |
Students will work in small groups of 3 -5 students. Discuss with students that plants need air and water to grow. Hydroponics is a way to grow plants without soil using only air and water. In this activity, students will use a paper towel to help keep the seed moist, but the paper towel is not required to make the plant grow. Remind students that they will be making observations for 2 weeks, but that they will not be at school on the weekends. Ask them to make a prediction about how their seed will look over the weekend and share these observations with their group. |
Engage: Begin with a whole group discussion to help students activate background knowledge on plant growth and photosynthesis. Working in small groups, students will use an electronic device to research hydroponics. Each group will do a brief 1-minute verbal presentation to share their findings with the class. Explore: Working in small groups of 3-5, students will follow the procedure in Growing Plants without Soil. Students will collect data on the Plants without Soil Journal Sheet. Explain: Working in pairs, students will create a cartoon to defend the position that plants get materials needed for growth primarily from the air and water. Elaborate: Have student groups present the cartoon and their findings to the whole class. The groups will defend the position that plants obtain materials needed for growth primarily from air and water. |
Assessment Strategies |
Teacher observation - Throughout the activity, the teacher will monitor Plants without Soil Journal Sheet. The teacher will observe the students' documentation of plant growth over the 2 week time period and notice predictions about the weekend growth patterns. Use the Cartoon Grading Rubric to assess if the argument defends the position that plants obtain materials needed for growth primarily from air and water. The cartoon should also use data from the Plants Without Soil Journal Sheet to support their claim. |
Acceleration: |
Comparing Bizarre Plants - working in small groups, students will use an electronic device with internet recess to to research the Venus Flytrap and compare the structures and needs of the Venus Flytrap to those of the bean plant. Students will share their findings with the class. |
Intervention: |
ELL: The student handouts could be translated into the native language of the student. The ELL teacher can also provide assistance to students.
Students with disabilities: Students can work with a peer helper or with the pull-out teacher. |
View the Special Education resources for
instructional guidance in providing modifications and adaptations
for students with significant cognitive disabilities who qualify for the Alabama Alternate Assessment.
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