Science Homework

Today, we wrapped up a lesson about animal habitats and adaptations. Students were given two 40-minute periods to complete this work, yet some did not use their time wisely and will need to finish their homework tonight. Students should have brought home their paper, but if they forgot, you can find the assignment here.

As promised, here are the links that you'll need to complete your 6-7 post-it notes: 

• Desert
• Arctic
• Temperate forest
• Tropical rain forest
• Grasslands
• Ocean 
• Lake/River

Thanks in advance for getting your work finished! Remember to do your best work and to label your post-it notes with your name. 

Great Heights!

One of our earliest science investigations for Unit 2 explored the idea of plant growth, specifically, answering the question: Why do trees grow so tall? 

This is the largest tree in the world.  It's located in California and named Hyperion. The tree was discovered in 2006, and is 379.7 feet (115.7 m) tall.

Students learned that plants naturally gravitate towards the light because they need it to survive. After planting two identical seeds, one in the sunlight and one in a dark closet, students were surprised to see that the one in the dark closet did not grow leaves, turned slightly yellow, and grew the tallest, but then died shortly thereafter.

The one in the sunlight was shorter, however it grew wide, green leaves. Students could then deduct that the reason for this was because the plant in the darkness was groping (and hoping) to find sunlight, thus it kept reaching up, much like trees in a shaded forest do.

As an adaptation, when plants or trees become outgrown by other larger plants/trees around them, they shoot up to find the sunlight they desperately need to survive.

We also explored the idea that roots always seem to grown in a downward direction. Why is that? Are they looking for dirt, just as the top of the plant searches for sunlight? Would they know if we turned them a different direction? Would their roots actually move?

To find out the answer to these questions, we are conducting an experiment.

First, we planted radish seeds and placed them in the window. After only one day, the seed coat fell off and the seed began to grow a tiny root. Soon, root hairs were visible, then finally leaves grew. Now, the question is, what will happen to the roots when we turn our plant bags sideways?

Stay tuned!! 

PS. How does that tree compare Big Ben and other famous trees?

Animal Project

To culminate our Science unit and the work we have done on inherited traits, habitats, and adaptations, your child will be creating his/her own animal.

I sent the information home on Monday (Dec. 1), however you may read the instructions here as well. One of the first things to do is to consider the habitat you want your animal to live in (see below), as well as the traits it will have. (This is a helpful worksheet to organize your thoughts, and the powerpoint is the same information.)

For a little inspiration, follow this link for the "make-your-animal" website that we viewed in class. The possibilities are endless!

This is a fun link, which shows some rare animal adaptations. You might get some good ideas by viewing these, as well.

Desert

The temperature is very hot and dry.  There is very little water available to drink.  Food is sparse, and is found mostly in the form of very small animals & insects, as well as a very limited amount of plant life.  As such, animals have to move around a lot to find shelter, food, and water.  There are few predators.  Nothing moves very fast.

Rainforest

The temperature is very hot.  The air is constantly very humid, and it rains almost every day.  Both plant and animal life is abundant, and many different forms of food are available.  The food chain is very complex, and no matter how big or small an animal is, predators abound.  Trees are very close together, so even though animals can move around, they cannot do so very quickly.  All food sources are also very easy to find, but there is a lot of competition.

Ocean/Lake/River Environment

The water environment can be home to many different types of life (fish, birds, water-dwelling animals such as dolphins or beavers, etc.)  The temperature is constant and temperate.  Food MIGHT be available, if the animal can access it.  Water is abundant (obviously).  There are many predators.  Some animals can move quickly, depending on their traits.

Grassland/Prairies

Temperature ranges from cool to very hot.  There is not very much shelter, so animals need to move around a lot.  Animals also need to move around a lot (migrate) to find their food, although various forms of food are available.  Water is sometimes available, but at some times of the year it can be difficult to find.  There are many predators, and those predators can move very quickly across the land.

 

Forests

The average temperature of the forest is 10 degrees Celsius. The average amount of rainfall in the forest is 30 to 60 inches a year. As the seasons change, so do the colors of the leaves of the deciduous. During the winter months water is generally not available to keep the leaves of some plants alive. Therefore, the leaves of some plants fall off and grow back in the spring. Those plants, like evergreens, keep their leaves during the winter have special adaptations to stay alive.  Precipitation in the temperate deciduous forest is spread throughout the year. However, during the winter months it is usually frozen and unavailable to animals. Animals must adjust to cold winters and hot summers. Leaves generally fall off in the fall, leaving animals with less cover to hide themselves from predators. You'd find bears (black and brown), fox, squirrels, cardinals, raccoons, and snakes in this habitat as well as many others.