What's Holding You Up?
Stems

Subjects: Language Arts, English, Math

Learners Outcome:
The students will correctly identify the stem of a plant .
The students will correctly identify the function of a plant stem.
The students will name 3 stems we eat or use to make things.

Duration of Lesson: 30 minutes

Materials: Chart paper, markers, rulers, 4 clear plastic cups, water, food coloring, celery stalks, "The Apartment House Tree", "All Around Plants" journal

Technology Tools/Courseware: computer, Internet access, Data Projector, Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, Printer

Teacher Notes:

• Caution children that many plants can be poisonous.
• Gather informational books on plants from your local and school libraries
• Experiment in lesson needs to be prepared the night before.
Be sure to have an acceptable use policy 2460 signed by each child's parent before allowing internet use .

Procedures:
1). Introduce lesson with "The Apartment House Tree".
        A). Share story.
        B). Discuss parts of the tree used by the animals.
        C). Record parts on chart paper. (roots, stems, leaves, flower or fruit)
2). Show PowerPoint "What's Holding You Up?" . Slide show will introduce stems to children. Slides advance on the mouse click.
        A) [slides 1-3] Discuss how the stem helps plants. Here you are only looking for support.
        B). [slide 4] Locate stem on each plant.
        C). [slide 5] Compare stems as to thickness, length and texture (grape vine, flower, cactus, vine, tree, rose with thorns, dandelion stem).
        D). [slide 6] Let children suggest other plants we use for food.
        E). [slide 7] Let children suggest other plants we use to make things.
        F). [slides 8/11] Children will explain how the items are alike.
                    bat, paper, chair- all made from the stem of a tree
                    chair, table, shade- all made from the stem of a bamboo tree

3). Experiment- Prepare this experiment 1 day in advance. Using 4 clear plastic cups full of water, dye each a different color-red, blue, green and purple. Place a stalk of celery or a flower in each one and let sit overnight. Let children brainstorm why the celery stalk or flower looks different in each cup. Children should discover that the stem has another function besides holding the plant up-  transporting food and water. Children can draw what they see in their "All Around Plants" journal.

4). Activity Sheet- "Measure Up" - Children measure each stem and write the answer on the line. Discuss before hand where the stem stops and flower begins.

5). Journal entry- Label journal page "We use stems." Children draw and label 3 products made from stems and 3 stems we eat,

Modifications: Modifications will be made based on individual educational plans and student needs.

Enrichment Activities: Children may design a bar graph based on the information gathered in the "Measure Up" activity.  This can be done on regular lined paper or on graph paper.   Also check out the crafts at Enchanted Learning.com.

Evaluation/Assessment: observation, participation, journal entry, and activity sheet

References and Cool Links:
The Apartment House Tree , Bette Killion (HarperCollins Publishers, 1989)
The National Arbor Day Foundation --- Get kids involved in conservation!!
Cool Games at Carly's Kids Corner
The Great Plant Escape
 

West Virginia IGO's
     Science: 1.3, 1.6, 1.17, 1.18, 1.20, 1.30
     Language Arts: 1.3, 1.14, 1.15, 1.21, 1.108
     Math: 1.19, 1.3, 1.35, 1.43
 

National Standards
Language Arts:
1). Uses reading skills and strategies to understand and interpret a variety of informational texts.
2). Uses listening and speaking strategies for different purposes.
3). Uses viewing skills and strategies to understand and interpret visual media.
Math:
1). Understands and applies basic and advanced properties of the concepts of measurement.
Science:
1). Understands structure and function of cells and organisms.
2). Understands relationships among organisms and their physical environment.
 
 

Overview	Lesson 1	Lesson 2	Lesson 3	Lesson 4	Lesson 5
Plants Around Us	Rootin' Around	What's Holding You Up?	Leaf Me Alone!	Flower Power	What's in the Bag?

Created By:

Lesli Harvath Carol June Debra Rockey

Jefferson Primary School 1098 Jefferson Street Follansbee,WV 26037