Remember Leaf Collection is due January 9

Plants produce food and oxygen used by most organisms on Earth. We also depend on plants for clothing and shelter, and even fuel. There are about 300,000 plant species on Earth. It is important to study plants to understand what makes them so useful for us.

In this unit, you will work independently for the most part. Below you will find a list of the assignments. While there are some whole class activities, most of the assignments are individual work. In many cases you will have an opportunity to choose from a number of assignments. You may cooperate with other students, however you are responsible for your own learning. Remember, it is not what you did for the assignment, but what you learned that counts. You will present oral defense of the assignments, that is answer my questions about the material.

Every day you will put the date next to the assignment on which you are working that day. Suggested time frame is indicated next to each assignment. I will check off the assignments after you have completed them and answered several questions to show what you have learned. Other types of assessment are listed as well. The dates for the whole class activities and for the test will be announced later.

Objectives

Science TEKS 7.11: Organisms and environments: The student knows that populations and species demonstrate variation and inherit many of their unique traits through gradual processes over many generations. The student is expected to:
(A) examine organisms or their structures such as insects or leaves and use dichotomous keys for identification

Science TEKS 7.12: Organisms and environments: The student knows that living systems at all levels of organization demonstrate the complementary nature of structure and function. The student is expected to: (A) investigate and explain how internal structures of organisms have adaptations that allow specific functions such as gills in fish, hollow bones in birds, or xylem in plants

Part 1- Introduction to Diversity of Life

Complete web activity What did TRex taste Like? ; take post-test - about 2 class periods

Versatile: - 1 class period
What's in the Name: The Language of Biology
Classification: The Six Kingdoms
Darwin and the Voyage that Changed the Science

Part 2: Plants Chapter 10

Section 1
Select one of the assignments. You will need to orally defend the assignment upon completion (be able to answer questions about the material). 1-2 class periods.

• Listen to the section while reading the text. Record the main ideas.
• Read the section and create a diagram of all the material in the section: a picture with labels and a short explanations for each concept
• Read the text and create a concept map
• Read the text. Make vocabulary flashcards. Complete worksheet p. 23

Section 2
Select one of the assignments. You will need to orally defend the assignment upon completion (be able to answer questions about the material). 1-2 class periods.

• Listen to the section while reading the text. Record the main ideas.
• Read the section and create a diagram of all the material in the section: a picture with labels and a short explanations for each concept
• Read the text and create a concept map
• Read the text. Make vocabulary flashcards. Complete worksheet p. 24

Section 3
Select one of the assignments. You will need to orally defend the assignment upon completion (be able to answer questions about the material). 1-2 class periods

• Listen to the section while reading the text. Record the main ideas.
• Read the section and create a diagram of all the material in the section: a picture with labels and a short explanations for each concept
• Read the text and create a concept map
• Read the text. Make vocabulary flashcards.Complete worksheet p. 25

In addition: (optional for extra credit for 7.8; all regular assignments have to be completed before credit for this will be given).

Choose one the these three assignments. Bring materials to class to work on the assignment. 2-3 class periods.

• Make a three-dimensional model showing structure of the leaf
• Make a poster explaining classification of plants
• Design a book to teach plants to a young child
• With a group of students, decorate the bulletin board outside the classroom with the interesting and unusual information about plants. Bulletin boards are limited, so the best ideas will be selelcted.

• Complete the project (board, book, model, poster, etc) and evaluate: each project needs to be evaluated by three people working together using the following rubrics:

Bulletin Board Rubrick, Plant Poster Rubric,Plant Book Rubric, 3D Leaf Model

Leaf Project

Identify as many leaves in your collection as possible (materials for identification are available in the classroom) with their full Latin names. 1 - 2 class periods for identification.

Evaluate using the following rubric (at least three people need to evaluate together):Leaf Collection Rubric

Whole Class Activities (dates TBA):

• Dendrochronology lab - 2 class periods
• Leaf identification activity using dicotomous key- 2 class periods
• Chapter 10 test - 1 class period
  

Assessment:

TRex post-test
Oral defense for Versatile papers, all textbook work and worksheets
Grade for model/poster/book/bulletin board
Leaf project
Chapter 10 Test: Practice test