In the New Plants unit students heighten their awareness of the diversity of life in the plant kingdom. Students care for plants to learn what they need to grow and develop. They observe the structures of flowering plants and discover ways to propagate new plants from mature plants (from seeds, bulbs, roots, and stem cuttings). They observe and describe changes that occur as plants grow, and organize their observations on a calendar and in a journal.
Important ideas in science are about the relationships between a natural phenomenon and an explanation that helps us understand why something in the world unfolds the way it does (phenomena are events or processes— things that happen). Studying events or process rather than “things” or abstract ideas really interests students and helps them develop deep and interconnected understandings of science concepts.
Seeds can sit around for years, but when given the proper conditions, they begin to grow and turn into full‐grown plants. When an avocado seed (pit) is suspended in a glass of water, it sprouts and becomes a new plant. The seed initially sends out a root, then a stem. Leaves form on the stem over time.
We’ve created a time‐lapse video of this to serve as an anchoring phenomenon for this unit (Below, or on Vimeo) https://vimeo.com/225015110)
How is the Avocado Pit (seed) able to change into a new plant?
How are new plants made from existing (old) plants?
How do the structures of organisms enable life’s functions?
How do organisms grow and develop?
How to organisms get what they need to grow and develop?
How are the characteristics of one generation related to the previous generation?
Why do individuals of the same species vary in how they look, function and behave?
The documents below have been created to help consider the FOSS materials in the context of the Next Generation Science Standards. We recommend you review, at the very least, the following documents:
Unit Guide - A summary of materials, sequencing and content for the module.
Storyline - An overview of the sequencing and reasons for the various activities
Assessment - A collection of assessment tools including what to look for as students work on the activities.