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?

Plant "Surgery"

As part of our investigation into our science unit, Life Cycles, Traits, and Adaptations, students explored another science mystery and were able to answer these questions:

• Why are flowers so colorful and how does their color impact their survival? 
• Why and how flowers are pollinated? 
• What happens to the eggs of a plant after they are pollinated? 
• What insects and animals help the pollination process and how? 
• How does pollination ensure a plants survival/reproduction? 

Ask if your child can articulate these answers to you!  

Students then had a fantastic time dissecting a lily to locate the various parts (stamen, pistil, ovary, petals, and pollen). They were very excited to feel how sticky the pistil was and were amazed that the pollen was so concentrated (thick) that they could write with it! (I cautioned them to take care with their clothing, so, hopefully, there no stains!) 

I hope you'll enjoy the pictures of our fun... (and to view more of them, click here)

Emre took his role as a scientist very seriously. 

Finding the eggs wasn't easy, but we could see a few (we think). 

Smiles all around! 

Funny story: When I bought these lilies and I mentioned that I needed them to open by the next day because I was a teacher and we were going to use them for a science lesson, the florist surreptitiously grabbed this pink rose and handed it to me, saying, "Here, for you, teacher." It was so touching and a nice surprise! Unfortunately, most of them did not open by the next day, we were flexible and did another investigation about apples (inheritance, traits) instead. :) 

ExCELLent Plants

The class thoroughly enjoyed sculpting and shaping a model of a plant cell today. They squished, squeezed and pressed each step of the way as they learned each specific part/name. 

I hope you'll come take a look at their exCELLent work, which is on display just outside of our classroom. Also, thank you to those of you who were able to make the dough. That was a huge help! You did a fine job and may be tickled to know that other teachers commented on our beautiful, vibrant dough colors! Well done. :)