Journal Activity

It's the time of year when flowers are starting to show growth. Take your journal and find flower to observe (watch). Draw your subject and date the picture. Write a sentence or two about what you see. Wait two days and do the same again. What has changed? Keep doing that until the flower is blooming . In the end, you will have observed and studied a plants growth. Good work!

Why are Plants essential to all life on Earth:

• Plants release oxygen, a byproduct of photosynthesis, which is used by both animals and plants.

• Many animals, including humans, rely on plants for food.

• Plants provide habitats for animals.

• Plants help clean both the air and water.

• Plant roots help prevent soil erosion and when plants decompose their nutrients are added to the soil.

Humans use plants in a variety of ways to meet their needs

Plants provide us with many useful products, including

• foods and fl avourings (fruit, herbs, nuts, seeds, spices, vegetables);

• building materials (e.g., bamboo, rattan for furniture, softwood and hardwood lumber, straw or palm fronds for thatched roofs);

• fibres (e.g., cotton or hemp for cloth making, sisal for burlap or rope, wood pulp for paper)

• fuel (e.g., biodiesel, firewood);

• dyes;

• gums and resins (e.g., adhesives, rubber bands);

• perfumes (e.g., essential oils); and

• medicines (e.g., aspirin).