|
This
activity is linked to the National Profiles, Level 4,
Science and Mathematics.
Materials:
Half milk cartons with drainage holes cut in the bottom
or small pots
Potting mix (native if possible)
Small stones or gravel
Seeds collected from the local area
Book identifying local plants
Waterproof texta
Method
Working on from the previous worksheet, How Seeds Spread, look at the different speeds various plants grow.
-
Take class on a seed collecting walk. Impress on class the necessity for safety: nothing to be put in mouth, no sticking fingers in holes, no turning over bark with fingers, look before you touch, etc.
-
Collect a number of native seeds from the local area. You may want to take a plant identification book with you on the walk to correctly identify plants
-
In a different container, collect seeds from non-native weeds. Clearly label the two containers so the weeds and the natives do not get mixed up
-
Clearly label milk containers or pots with the name of the seeds to be planted
-
Place containers in a protected, sunny spot, and water regularly
-
Have students measure growth rate of plants at weekly intervals
-
Brainstorm with class the different ways of showing this graphically
-
Have students graph growth rates of native plants compared to weeds
-
Using results gathered from growth rate graphs, brainstorm what might happen to native forests if weeds start to multiply unchecked
After
this experiment is completed, discuss with class why
the weeds they have grown have to be destroyed. Discuss
effective methods of weed control.
Options
for disposal of native plants:
- Students
can take the plants home and plant them in their
gardens
- Keep
plants (clearly labelled) and sell them at the next
school fete
- Discuss
with your local Landcare group options for a tree
planting activity in your area
National Profiles, Level 4, Science
Life
and Living
A
student
- Identifies
events that affect the balance of life in an ecosystem
- Explains
the major systems of living things and the way that
they function
Natural
and Processed Materials
A
student
- Recognises
and describes conditions that influence reactions
and changes in materials
Working
Scientifically
A
student
- Identifies
the factors and controls that need to be considered
in investigations and ways of achieving control
- Collects
and records information as accurately as the equipment
permits and according to the purpose of the investigation
- Draws
conclusions based on the information gathered and
the reasons for carrying out the investigation
- Reviews
findings to see if the conclusions are reasonable
answers to the questions asked
This
project also applies to the Mathematics curriculum.
National Profiles, Level 4, Mathematics
Chance
and Data
A
student
- Uses
numerical and other information to place things
in order of least likely to most likely to happen
- Collaborates
in deciding what data is to be collected and assists
in its collection
- Experiments
with organising and showing data in forms that help
to answer questions
- Summarises
data using simple fractions, highest and lowest
and middle scores and means
- Reads
and describes information from tables, diagrams,
line and bar graphs
Number
A
student
- Counts,
places in order, estimates and describes with common
and decimal fractions
- Identifies,
continues and invents number patterns involving
multiplication and division
- Uses
an understanding of numbers and number relationships
to make and complete equations
- Makes
suitable choices about when and which of the four
number operations to use
- Uses
a variety of ways to mentally calculate involving
both exact and approximate answers
- Adds
and subtracts numbers having the same number of
decimal places, multiplies and divides whole numbers
and decimals by single digit numbers when working
with numbers, money and measurement
- Uses
a calculator to carry out tasks using decimals and
when more than one operation is needed
Measurement
A
student
- Selects
appropriate attribute and units to describe and
compare objects
- Measures
and makes things using conventional units and measuring
equipment paying attention to measuring length,
mass, capacity and angle
- Reads
scales to the nearest measurement mark
- Uses
the known size of familiar things to estimate
- Estimates
and measures time and the duration of time and prepares
possible timetables
- Understands
and uses relationships between measurements of some
common shapes
|