DemoGrp+Teacher

=Plants in the classroom = Home  >> Task  >> Resources  >> Teacher Info

==Teacher Information == As a teacher we have the ability to teach our students in an environment which enables them greater opportunity to learn and develop through integrating learning with practice. By allowing students to have their own vegetable gardens which they take care of and manage throughout the year. Also with ongoing learning on plant growth and further activities which could be related directly to their own lives students will gain greater understanding of the subject. Some examples of further activities that students could undertake would be cooking with produce from their gardens, creating healthy recipes, build on activities with compost recycling; and the list could just keep expanding. So it is easy to understand that this subject can be learnt by many different methods and with a little creativity and imagination it can be both fun and interesting for the students. Plant growth is a subject that can be taught at different levels dependent on age group. Many of the examples above could be used by a variety of age groups and levels.

Suggested lesson schedule
We have divided this lesson into two parts. The first part is for the teacher to explain some background knowledge on plants. The second part is for the teacher to demonstrate and explain how to set up the activity and the ongoing tasks required for the next two weeks.
 * Day 1 : ** This lesson is introducing students to the life stages of plants and developing knowledge on what is essential for a plant to develop.
 * Lesson time: ** 1 to 1.5 hours
 * Resources: ** seeds, small watering can plastic cups, pop sticks, permantent marker, paper towel, camera (disposable or provided by the school), A4 exercise book (blank pages) and student journals.
 * Lesson content: **
 * 1) As an introduction to this topic the teacher will need to explain to students the process of germination. See resources below for ways a teacher can go about doing this.
 * 2) Teacher to demonstrate how to begin the activity by showing students how to set up their cups and seeds. A section of the classroom near sunlight, should be sectioned off for the seeds to germinate. All students are required to take a photo of their seed at this stage. Once all the students have set up their seeds in the cup and have taken a picture, time should be made for them to write on their journal pages (these can then be glued into an exercise book). Preparation for this lesson is required. The teacher will need to supply students with seeds, a plastic cup, paper towel, journal and camera (supervision needed). A good idea would be to have a range of different seeds so students will experience differences in observations of germination.


 * Day 2 - 12: ** At the beginning of each day students should be given the time to care for their plant and take a photo of the seeds growth. Following this task students are required to write their observations in their journal. ** Lesson time: ** approximately 1 hour.
 * Resources: ** Student journals, digital cameras (preferably 1 per student, however if you do not have sufficient cameras put students into groups with 1 camera per group).


 * Day 13: ** The task for this lesson is to learn how to create a PowerPoint presentation. The teacher will be required to present an example and teach students the basics of how to use PowerPoint. As the students are only young the teacher support in helping them create a powerpoint is important. The explanation to students should be a step by step process with the teacher involved. ** Lesson time: ** 1-2 hours.
 * Resources: ** An example PowerPoint presentation. The example provided below is to give teachers an idea of how students could present their work. This presentation is from a 9 day journal.


 * Day14: ** Students will present their PowerPoint to the class. Recounting their experience with observing the process of germination. By doing this activity students have not only learnt the process of germination but also how to use technologies such as the digital camera and PowerPoint to explain their understanding and observations to others. Each student should be given 2-3 minutes to present.
 * Lesson time: ** 1 hour
 * Resources: ** Data project and computer with PowerPoint software.

Teacher resources

 * Helpful websites with information, images, activities etc. on plant germination and growth **
 * Teaching notes, drawings & articles on Plants - []
 * Science & Plants for Schools: Sheet 5 Investigating Seed Germination - []
 * Education world: Plant Seeds of Learning: Classroom Lessons bring plants to life - []
 * General Biology Program for Teachers: Lessons 1-5: Germinating Seeds - Let's observe! - []


 * More helpful websites for creating fun and innovative lessons **
 * PowerPoint Presentations- [|http://www.lessonplanet.com/search?grade=3-5&keywords=powerpoint&media=lessonwww]
 * The Concord consortium: Activites - []
 * Teaching ideas and resources - []
 * Free Technology for Teachers - []
 * YouTube Channel: Playlists - [|http://www.youtube.com/user/EDN113LeaShelley?feature=mhum#p/p]
 * The Learning Federation: Interactive whiteboard resources - []
 * Kathy Schrock's Guide for Educators - []
 * Teachers without borders - [|http://teacherswithoutborders.org/resources?gclid=CM2f9dPRxqgCFQHhbgodwBgrpA#]
 * Teacher resources galore - []

References
Rawich. (n.d.). Grow seed [image]. Retrieved from: []