Earth's Resources: Plants

Image Citation

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Here is the post you'll need to complete this week's science work. Please read carefully, and push your thinking every step of the way.

You'll be moving through rotations, (unless you are in the independent group) which will help you complete the work. Some stations will be teacher guided, while others will require you to work independently. Some groups of students will complete the stations with a teacher as part of their group, and one group will be asked to complete the work without the rotations - they'll work on their own at their own pace. Please check the board in the hallway at school to see where you fit in the rotations.

Standards, Objectives, and Essential Questions: 

Standard(s):

E.1.b - Analyze and interpret a variety of data to understand the origin, utilization, and concerns associated with natural resources

By the end of this lesson, students should be able to:

• Identify at least three ways we use plants
• Describe why plants are a renewable resource
• Develop an understanding of why plants are important to life

Essential Questions:

• Why do we consider plants and forests a renewable resource?
• What are some uses for harvested plants?
• Why is conservation of trees and forests important?

Here are the directions for each piece of work you'll be required to complete:

1. Blog Post Vocabulary Resource: You'll be required to create a vocabulary resource for this unit of instruction. On each slide, you must include the keyword (linked), the definition (not copy/paste) and a copy-right free image. The words you need to include are: conifer, evergreen, fern, flower, fruit, fuel, omnivore, photosynthesis, plant, and seed. When you create this post, title it: Earth's Resources: Plants. Label it with the following labels: Science, Plants, and Earth's Resources. Include a sentence with a link to this post on the East Dragon Den, so that your audience will be able to see the directions you followed. Mr. Moore will lead this group.

2. Fun Da-Mental: Earth’s Resources, with a completed worksheet. Ms. Vander Velde will lead this group.

3. Video Clips: Plants in Our Daily Lives, Coastal Redwoods, and Other Important Uses for Plants. Use the graphic organizer provided to you in class to keep notes as you watch these videos. Make sure that you are constantly working to answer the essential questions and use the vocabulary words. This will be an independent station.

4. eBooks: Where's the Bamboo?, The Appalachian Trail, and Planning for the Future. Use the graphic organizer provided to you in class to keep notes as you read these resources. Make sure that you are constantly working to answer the essential questions and use the vocabulary words. This will be an independent station.

5. BrainPop: Natural Resources - Use the practice video and your notes to score at least 8/10 on the quiz. Make sure that you are signed in and click "submit your results" when you finish the quiz. Use the graphic organizer provided to you in class to keep notes as you watch these videos. Make sure that you are constantly working to answer the essential questions and use the vocabulary words. This will be an independent station.

6. Discovery Education Assignment: What are examples of renewable resources? Make a list. Use the video clips located here to generate a list of renewable resources. Include the list in your blog post. You might also add this list to the back side of your note-catcher.

Daily Plan:

Monday: Rotations 1 & 2

Tuesday: Rotations 3 & 4

Wednesday: Rotations 5 & 6

Thursday: Assessment for this concept, review suggested resources (Add to your note-catcher!)

Friday: Blog Reflection: Embed vocabulary resource, include essential question answers, highlight vocab in context, etc.

Scoring:

1: To earn a score of one, you must complete the list of renewable resources, the vocabulary resource, and the Fun Da-Mental worksheet. The list of renewable resources and the vocabulary resource must be posted on your blog.

2: To earn a score of two, you must complete everything  above, as well as complete the BrainPop quiz with a score of at least 8/10.

3: To earn a score of three, you must complete everything above, as well as the Assessment with a score of at least 80%

4. To earn a score of four, you must complete everything listed above, as well as a thorough written summary of your learning (posted on your blog, on the same post as the vocabulary resource and list of renewable resources). Use your notes from each of the activities, readings, video clips, and assignments you've completed to help you. You must use and link each vocabulary word (all 10) in your summary. The link only needs to appear the first time you write the word in your summary. Make sure that you completely answer each of the essential questions.

Here's a link to the digital version of the note-catcher/graphic organizer.

Push your thinking, Dragons! (If you really want to push your thinking, click on the custom search engine tab at the top of the blog and type in "plants.") Let the fun begin!

Mr. Moore, Ms. Vander Velde, and Ms. Chavez