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Ecology of PlantsBy: Jennifer Keith

3rd Grade Johnson Elementary School

Hickman Mills School DistrictScience Matters 2013

The Scientific MethodExperiment Title: Acid Rain Harmful or Helpful?

Make an Observation:

Find something that interests you and make a careful observation of it. Look at it closely from different perspectives. Watch and wait to see if

there is anything about it that makes you wonder.

Ask a Question:

Ask a specific question about who, what, which, when, why or how that can be answered in a measurable way by conducting an experiment.

Research the Subject:

Take time to gather information about your subject. What type of equipment or procedures will you need to conduct your

experiment? What have others learned about the topic? Find information online or in books and magazines that can help you

prepare for your experiment.

Form a Hypothesis:

Based on your observations and knowledge of the subject, make an educated guess or prediction about what you think will happen.

If ___________________ then_____________.

Your hypothesis must be something that can be easily measured and should help answer your original question.

Conduct an Experiment:

Your experiment should contain a detailed list of materials and step by step instructions.

The process should be repeated several times in order to collect sufficient data.

To make the experiment fair and accurate, variables should only be changed one at a time.

Organize the Data:

Once you have completed the experiment, make a summary of all your results.

Your data may include notes, tables, drawings, pictures or a combination of them. Use this information to create graphs and charts

that can be used to determine if your hypothesis is true or false.

Evaluate the Results:

Once your data is organized, use it to determine whether your hypothesis is supported, partially supported or not supported

If it is supported, report your findings.

If it is partially supported or not supported at all, report your findings and if time allows, modify your hypothesis and try again.

Report your Findings: Once you have concluded your experiment, report your findings so that they can be verified by others and so that others can gain knowledge from your scientific research on the subject.

My Hypothesis:

Who?

Which?

What?

When?

Where?

Why?

How?

My Question:

How does acid rain effect overall plant growth?

If a plant is receiving acid rain, then it will not grow as tall because the acid level of the water is not as beneficial to plant health.

My Independent Variable (Cause): Acid rain

My Dependent Variable (Effect): Plant growth in cm

My Controlled Variables: Soil type, soil amount, location, amount of water, frequency for watering, seed type, container, amount of seeds

Variables:Independent Variable:

What the scientist will be changing during the experiment.

Dependent Variable:

What the scientist will be measuring or observing.

Controlled Variable:

What the scientist keeps the same during the experiment.

Steps in My Experiment:

Gather materials

Measure soil and place the same amount into two separate cups

Poke holes into the soil and place 5 seeds in the holes in each cup.

Label containers as acid rain and normal.

Materials Needed:

*lemon juice *spray bottles

*potting soil *seeds

*water *clear plastic cups

*window *ruler

*measuring cups *graduated cylinders

1

3

2

4

Using the graduate cylinder, measure 4ml of water and place water into one cup. Then repeat this process for the other cups.

Repeat steps 1-5 for the other 4 cups.

Place all seed cups in the window sill.

Each day add 4ml of water to the cups. Then draw what you observe in the observation box. When the seed begins to grow measure the height, using the cm side of your ruler and record your data. This is your day 1 data.

Fill spray bottles with water. Add lemon juice to one spray bottle – 5 drops for every 1 liter of water and label this bottle acid rain.

Each day water all plants as normal, then mist each plant with the proper spray bottle. MAKE SURE YOU WATER THE PLANTS BEFORE YOU MIST!!!

5

7

6

8

9

10

Measure and record plant growth each day for 2 weeks.

My Observations:

11

Plant Set 1:

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

What are my five senses telling me?

My Observations:

Plant Set 2:


Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5


My Observations:

Plant Set 3:


Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5


Organizing My Data Set 1:

Notes:

Notes:

Notes:

Notes:


Notes:

Notes:

Notes:


Notes:

Notes:

Notes:

ConclusionNow summarize your experiment. Make sure you include the following:

_____your observations

_____ your testable question

_____your hypothesis

_____the steps you took to conduct your experiment

_____what you learned from this experiment (conclusion)

Please proofread and edit your paragraph using your C.U.P.S.!!!

_____Capitalization

_____Usage (did you use your word correctly?)

_____Punctuation

_____Spelling

Evaluating My Results:

My Hypothesis is:

Supported

Not Supported

Needs More Information

Notes:

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Anticipated Data Set:I expect that scholars will see the plant that receives acid rain once it has

sprouted will begin to wilt and not grow as large as the plant that received normal rain.

Anticipated Data Set Discussion:In the first week scholars will likely not see the seeds sprouting above the

ground, but they may see roots in the soil, if they placed their seeds near the edge of the container. I will just have scholars record their observations this week.

The second week I expect scholars will begin to see the seeds sprout. Once they see this occur the scholars should begin measuring the plant growth with a ruler utilizing the centimeter side. The scholars should be recording their data on a line graph, to show they understand that this experiment is documenting change over time. At this point scholars should begin spraying their plants with the acid rain wash, they may notice that the leaves are wilting and not “stretching out” as the other plants leaves.

The third week I would expect that scholars will see that the plant receiving the acid rain is significantly smaller than the other plant and that the leaves are not fully developed. I also expect scholars would notice that the plant receiving the acid rain treatment has stopped growing new leaves. Each day scholars will measure and record their data.

Ideas for Altering: Scholars could test the effects of sugar water v. tap water on plant

growth. Scholars could test the effects of soda water v. water on plant

growth.

The Scientific MethodExperiment Title: Under the Canopy

Make an Observation:

Find something that interests you and make a careful observation of it. Look at it closely from different perspectives. Watch and wait to see if

there is anything about it that makes you wonder.

Ask a Question:

Ask a specific question about who, what, which, when, why or how that can be answered in a measurable way by conducting an experiment.

Research the Subject:

Take time to gather information about your subject. What type of equipment or procedures will you need to conduct your

experiment? What have others learned about the topic? Find information online or in books and magazines that can help you

prepare for your experiment.

Form a Hypothesis:

Based on your observations and knowledge of the subject, make an educated guess or prediction about what you think will happen.

If ___________________ then_____________.

Your hypothesis must be something that can be easily measured and should help answer your original question.

Conduct an Experiment:

Your experiment should contain a detailed list of materials and step by step instructions.

The process should be repeated several times in order to collect sufficient data.

To make the experiment fair and accurate, variables should only be changed one at a time.

Organize the Data:

Once you have completed the experiment, make a summary of all your


Once your data is organized, use it to determine whether your

Organize the Data:

Once you have completed the experiment, make a summary of all your


Once your data is organized, use it to determine whether your

Who?

Which?

What?

When?

Where?

Why?

How?

My Question:

How does the amount of sunlight a plant gets effect overall plant growth?

My Hypothesis: If the same plant is growing on a rainforest floor,

under the canopy of taller trees, then it will not grow as tall because it does not receive a large amount of sunlight.

My Independent Variable (Cause): Amount of sunlight

My Dependent Variable (Effect): Plant growth

My Controlled Variables: Soil type, soil amount, location, amount of water, frequency for watering, seed type, container, amount of seeds

Variables:Independent Variable:

What the scientist will be changing during the experiment.

Dependent Variable:

What the scientist will be measuring or observing.

Controlled Variable:

What the scientist keeps the same during the experiment.

Materials Needed:

*black construction paper *2 skewers or lollipop sticks

*potting soil *seeds

*water *clear plastic cups

*window *ruler

*measuring cups *graduated cylinders

Steps in My Experiment:

Gather materials

Measure soil and place the same amount into two separate cups

Poke holes into the soil and place 5 seeds in the holes in each cup.

Create a canopy with the black construction paper and skewers or lollipop sticks. After creation, place the canopy over 1 of the cups.

Using the graduate cylinder, measure 4ml of water and place water into one cup. Then repeat this process for the other cups.

Repeat steps 1-5 for the other 4 cups.

Place all seed cups in the center of the table.

1

3

2

4

5

7

6

Each day add 4ml of water to the cups. Then draw what you observe in the observation box. When the seed begins to grow measure the height, using the cm side of your ruler and record your data.

Repeat step 8 until the investigation is complete.

My Observations:

8

9

Plant Set 1:


Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

My Observations:

Plant Set 1:


Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Plant Set 2:


Week 1

Week 2

My Observations:

Plant Set 2:


Week 1

Week 2

Plant Set 3:


Week 1

Week 2


Plant Set 3:


Week 1

Week 2

Notes:

Notes:


Notes:

Notes:

Notes:


Notes:

Notes:

Notes:

ConclusionNow summarize your experiment. Make sure you include the following:

_____your observations

_____ your testable question

_____your hypothesis

_____the steps you took to conduct your experiment

_____what you learned from this experiment (conclusion)

Please proofread and edit your paragraph using your C.U.P.S.!!!

Evaluating My Results:

My Hypothesis is:

Supported

Not Supported

Needs More Information

Notes:

_____Capitalization

_____Usage (did you use your word correctly?)

_____Punctuation

_____Spelling

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Anticipated Data Set Discussion:In the first week scholars will likely not see the seeds sprouting above the

ground, but they may see roots in the soil, if they placed their seeds near the edge of the container. I will just have scholars record their observations this week.

The second week I expect scholars will begin to see the seeds sprout. Once they see this occur the scholars should begin measuring the plant growth with a ruler utilizing the centimeter side. The scholars should be recording their data on a line graph, to show they understand that this experiment is documenting change over time.

The third week I would expect that scholars will see that the plant with the canopy is growing at a slower rate than the one in full sunlight. I also would expect they notice that the plant begins to grow towards the sunlight and avoid the canopy. Each day scholars will measure and document the growth of the two plants.

Ideas for Altering:

Scholars could test the effects of sunlight v. artificial light on plant growth.

Scholars could test the effects sunlight v. darkness on plant growth.

Formative Assessments – Beginning of Class

Answer the following question by writing your answer on the back of your ticket.

Create a diagram that shows the life cycle of a plant.

Confidence: 1 2 3 4 5

Nam

e:

Possible Diagrams:

Formative Assessments – End of ClassN

ame:

Confidence: 1 2 3 4 5Confidence: 1 2 3 4 5

Nam

e:





Nam

e:

Confidence: 1 2 3 4 5


If a plant does not get full sunlight will it grow? Explain your answer.

EXIT TICKET Possible Answers:

A plant can still grow without full sunlight, since there are different plants that grow in shady areas.

Plants can grow with a little sunlight because our plant is under a black canopy and it is still growing.

As long as there is

Summative Assessment

Directions: Circle the letter next to the answer you choose. (1 point each)

1) Which of the following is NOT necessary for plants to grow?a. Oxygenb. Soilc. Sunlightd. Water

2) What is the process that a plant uses to make food:a. Photo genesisb. Photographyc. Photosynthesis

EXIT TICKET

EXIT TICKET


If a plant does not get full sunlight will it grow? Explain your answer.


If a plant does not get full sunlight will it? Explain your answer.

Nam

e: N

ame:

Confidence: 1 2 3 4 5Confidence: 1 2 3 4 5

Possible Answers:

A plant can still grow without full sunlight, since there are different plants that grow in shady areas.

Plants can grow with a little sunlight because our plant is under a black canopy and it is still growing.

As long as there is

d. Phonology

3) Which type of plant would you most likely see on the rainforest floor?a. Sunflowersb. Tulipsc. Cactusd. Moss

4) Which of the following shows the order of a plant’s life cycle?a. Seed, seedling, flower, mature plantb. Seedling, mature plant, seed, flowerc. Seed, seedling, mature plant, flowerd. Flower, seedling, mature plant, seed

5) Which of the following is NOT a part of a plant?a. Pollutantsb. Leafc. Rootd. Stem

Directions: Write your own answers for the following questions. (4 points each)

1) How is plant growth effected by the amount of sunlight it receives?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2) How does acid rain effect plant growth?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3) If I conduct an experiment where one plant gets to sit in the window and get full sunlight, but the other plant gets placed under the cabinet without sunlight, they are in the same container, get the same soil and seeds and are watered the same amount every day, what do you think will happen to the plant under the cabinet?

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4) Draw the life cycle of a plant.

Summative Assessment - Answers

Directions: Circle the letter next to the answer you choose. (1 point each)

1) Which of the following is NOT necessary for plants to grow?e. Oxygenf. Soilg. Sunlighth. Water

2) What is the process that a plant uses to make food:a. Photo genesisb. Photography

c. Photosynthesisd. Phonology

3) Which type of plant would you most likely see on the rainforest floor?a. Sunflowersb. Tulipsc. Cactusd. Moss

4) Which of the following shows the order of a plan’s life cycle?a. Seed, seedling, flower, mature plantb. Seedling, mature plant, seed, flowerc. Seed, seedling, mature plant, flowerd. Flower, seedling, mature plant, seed

5) Which of the following is NOT a part of a plant?a. Pollutantsb. Leafc. Rootd. Stem

Directions: Write your own answers for the following questions. (4 points each)

6) How is plant growth effected by the amount of sunlight it receives?Plants seek out the sunlight that is needed for photosynthesis. Some plant will bend or “reach” to the sun if it is being blocked by another object. Plants that are in the understory of the rainforest, will be smaller than others as they are getting a limited amount of sunlight on a daily basis.

7) How does acid rain effect plant growth?Acid rain falls onto the plant leaves and destroys or deforms them. The rain also soaks into the ground and contaminates the soil, which in turn gets absorbed by plants and kills them as it makes it impossible for them to grow and reproduce.

8) If I conduct an experiment where one plant gets to sit in the window and get full sunlight, but the other plant gets placed under the cabinet without sunlight, they are in the same container, get the same soil and seeds and are watered the same amount every day, what do you think will happen to the plant under the cabinet?

The plant under the cabinet will grow, but it will not be green like the plant in the window. This plant will be a yellowish color as it is not making chlorophyll, which turns the plant green.

9) Draw the life cycle of a plant.

Notebooking Connections

1) Throughout the experiments scholars will record their experiment data on the Scientific Method sheets and those will remain in their notebooks under the experiment section.

2) Scholars will utilize a 4 fold – foldable to diagram and describe the life cycle of a plant and this will be kept in the plant section of their notebook.

3) Scholars will utilize the attached notebook form to document plant needs, how plants make their own food, the benefits of plants to other life forms and the effects of pollution on plant life. These pages will be kept under the plant section of their notebook.

Science Notebook Page for Classroom Notes

(Topic) ___________________________________________________________

Name:_________________________ Date:________________________

Weather:_______________________ Time:________________________

Essential Question:

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Essential Vocabulary:

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Diagram or Picture Representation:

What I learned:

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Elaborate:

Scholars could test the effects of sugar water v. tap water on plant growth.

Scholars could test the effects of soda water v. water on plant growth.

Scholars could test the effects of sunlight v. artificial light on plant growth.

Scholars could test the effects sunlight v. darkness on plant growth. Scholars would write about how the damage done to plants by acid

rain could be harmful to other animals. Scholars could investigate ways to help diminish air pollution to

lessen the amount of acid rain falling.

References:

Under the Canopy

Suggestion by Dr. Pat Lucido

Acid Rain: Helpful or Harmful?

McElrone, A. B. (2006). Education.com. Retrieved July 13, 2013, from Education.com: http://www.education.com/science-fair/article/acid-rain-and-plant-growth/

Life Cycle Images:

University, K. (n.d.). Kean University Continuing Education Implementing the Schience Standards K-4. Retrieved July 15, 2013, from Plant Life Cycle: http://www.kean.edu/~fosborne/resources/plc.gif

[email protected]. (2012). Miss Fergusons Class. Retrieved July 15, 2013, from Plant Life Cycle: http://missfergusonsclass.pbworks.com/w/page/55224881/Plant%20Life%20Cycle

Forster, J. R. (n.d.). Plant Life Cycle. Retrieved July 15, 2013, from Glogster: http://www.glogster.com/jessicarforster/plant-life-cycle/g-6m97ro1j42etufnn1ksp0a0

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