Gretchen Brinza
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Plants--Structures and Proocesses

All living things have needs.  First graders will be making lots of observations to determine the specific needs of plants and draw conclusions about how the structures of plants help them meet their needs.  They'll even connect how plants respond to the world around them in order to survive.  And the best part--students will see how the designed world has mimicked some of nature's best survival mechanisms!

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Plants that can survive ANY conditions!

6/21/2015

 
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First graders are closing out their year by designing plants with as many adaptions as possible to survive the myriad number of conditions plants are exposed to.  Whether they have deep roots to soak up water, or big leaves to soak up sunlight, their plants are surely unique...and can withstand anything that Mother Nature throws at them!  Way to go First Grade!

Plant Adaptations--Designing Plants that can survive!

6/17/2015

 
All living things have unique features that help them survive.  For example, polar bears have thick fur to keep them warm, some animals have camouflage to blend in their environment to avoid predators, and others have features like strong tails to defend themselves from predators.

Plants are no exception.  They have a myriad number of features that help them survive, too.  Whether it be spines for protection or to create shade, or big leaves to collect more sunlight to produce food, plants have adaptations just like animals.  

After learning about all these different adaptations, first graders are being challenged to design a plant with as many adaptations as possible to survive.  Check out their plant designs in progress below!

Comparing Young Plants to their Adult Plants!

6/3/2015

 
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First graders are plant parts experts!  The tricky thing now, is finding ways to identify how the young version of a plant is similar to or different from the adult plant.  It's easier to see similarities with animals (what students are doing in science), but plants can be a bit more challenging.

Students are using what they know about plant parts to see how to compare things.  For example, a young strawberry plant has white flowers with yellow centers, and so does the adult plant.  One main difference between the young and adult plants are that the adult strawberry plant has some of the flowers turn into strawberries!  YUM!

We'll be comparing many young plants to their adult plants over the next week!

Plants in a Box...

5/29/2015

 
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So while first graders know about plant parts and their jobs, they need to gather evidence to support their thinking.  Students have seen the importance of flowers and fruit, and now they're moving on to the specific jobs that stems and leaves do!

We placed two plants in a box, and watched them for over a week.  Both boxes had lids, but one box had a hole in it and the other did not.

  • The plant that was in a box with a lid and no holes DIED.
  • The plant that was in a box with a lid and a hold SURVIVED...and grew TOWARDS the hole!

First graders concluded that plants definitely need light and air to grow, but that the leaves and stem specifically respond to where the source of light is coming from.  They work together to hold up the plant and help the plant collect light to make its own food.  Awesome job first graders!

Plant Parts!

5/16/2015

 
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First graders started their unit on plants by digging deeper into the structures that help plants survive!  While many students knew some basic structures like roots and stem, students didn't really know their specific jobs!  We did a few activities to have everyone on the same page!

Flowers:  Produce seeds for the plant.  Seeds grow into new plants.

Flower Stalk:  Holds up and supports the flower.

Stem:  Main support of a plant.

Leaves:  Produces food for the plant.

Roots:  Anchor the plant; soak up nutrients from the soil.  


    Mrs. Brinza

    I've got a bunch of plants in my home--I love the way they bring nature from outside in!

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