Plant Adaptations

 

STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO:
- Define adaptation.
- Give examples of plant adaptations.
- Write scientific reports.

GUIDING QUESTION: What special things do organisms do to survive?

MATERIALS:
Day 1:
- TV/VCR
- Video: A selection from series The Private Life of Plants.
Days 2-3:
- List of local plants
- Research materials (access to library and/or computers with Internet access)
Days 3-4:
- Materials to make plant costumes

CLASS ACTIVITIES:
Day 1: Wonder
1. Brainstorm what plants need to do to survive, making a list on the board. Potential answers include a way to reproduce, a way to get water, a means of defense, a source of energy etc.
2. Show a selection from the video series The Private Life of Plants, a BBC documentary that highlights a number of plant adaptations. While watching, students should note the range of ways that various species of plants satisfy a particular need.

Day 2: Explore
1. Present students with a list of local plants. Each student should choose a specific plant to research. The list should include plants with a range of adaptations. Specific plants to highlight include noxious weeds, rare plants, saprophytes, orchids, carnivorous plants, and plants that are pollinated by flies, birds, or bats.
2. Through their research, students should develop two products:

• A technical report describing the life cycle of the plant and its adaptations
• A costume for a "Plant Fashion Show." The costume should focus on the unique adaptations of the plant.
  

Days 3 and 4: Identify and Organize
1. Continue research.
2. Construct costumes.