As a final project for this year 1 of my participation in Vital Signs, I turned to the student drivers and asked what have you learned? They respond that they've learned a lot about how to identify different species. They burble away, telling me that you must observe the bark and stem and flowers and leaves and you must research it. They assure me that now they are telling everyone: "Hey, that there is Japanese Knotweed. I know because..."
Well, one thing led to another and here is our final project. I am not completely satisfied with it because it lacks that "Change over time" component, but at least the students gained a greater appreciation for their local biodiversity. Each student has to go use their powers of observation and knowledge of distinguishing plant characteristics to collect leaves from 20 different species of trees. They brought them in and we pressed them in old text books. Once dry, we glued the leaves to light neutral colored paper and numbered each leaf. We had a workshop on dichotomous keys and then set to work, using a collection of books and internet resources to identify our local tree species by examining these leaves. Once the leaves have been identified, we will compile a class list and each student will be assigned one to specialize in. The specialists will use the Pages program on their laptops to prepare a species ID card for their tree species. I'll collect them with a flash drive and select some to print in color, add to a binder and present to the 4 Seasons Lodge.
The leaves are in, whew, amazing. Pretty hard to say if they're actually correct on most but they did great at giving accurate distinguishing characteristics!!!
Linda McD, you're on fire!
And I mean that in a good way. Thanks for sharing this robust write-up of a final project. I really hope you post a few examples once your students complete their work. And I just LOVE hearing that your students are walking around using that great word "because"! Go critical thinking, go!
Comments
share, share, share!
I would love to see your students' work!
Could you scan or photograph a few to share? You'll probably have to upload as a new "project" here in the project bank.
toothed, lobed...pinnate, simple
The leaves are in, whew, amazing. Pretty hard to say if they're actually correct on most but they did great at giving accurate distinguishing characteristics!!!
I know because...
Linda McD, you're on fire!
And I mean that in a good way. Thanks for sharing this robust write-up of a final project. I really hope you post a few examples once your students complete their work. And I just LOVE hearing that your students are walking around using that great word "because"! Go critical thinking, go!