Detective Work

Some friend and I have been debating on the identity of this plant sample, found near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and need your help to settle this once and for all.  One of us says it is a moss, another insists it is a club moss, and the third claims it is not a plant at all, but a lichen.

Your job is to collect observations about this plant, using whatever tools you wish, and do some research online to help you determine which is the best way to classify this organism.  Then you will write a letter to me, in a business letter format, explaining your results.  You should give detailed reasons for  your decision, citing online sources.  You will probably need to do some basic research on all three of these types or organisms, so you can make the best decision.  Look for information about their physical characteristics, reproductive cycles, and other plants the specimen is related to. It would also be very helpful if you could include pictures, diagrams, or any other visually pertinent information.  If you believe your sample is comprised of more than one species, you should explain that too.

Here is a form to help you with the layout of your letter. http://teacher.scholastic.com/lessonplans/format.pdf

Here is a rubric to help you score your letter.  Please print it out and staple it to your letter when you are ready to turn it in.

Good luck!

Lesson for Thursday 2/23

Hey kids - sorry I couldn't make it today!  The roads were HORRIBLE down here in Littleton.  )-:  I figured I owed it to everyone NOT to run Mrs. Risenhoover's car into a ditch and break my other leg trying to hobble through the snow on crutches.  


So, it's been a goofy week.  I decided to postpone the test until next week so we can review together tomorrow.  It doesn't make any sense to do the test tomorrow if we've only had basically one day together this week.  I knew you wouldn't mind.  (-;


Today, please spend some time finishing your outline if you need to, and look at the websites in the post right below this one.  There are section review quizzes and additional resources if you are ready for an extension activity.  


Go ahead and leave a comment on this post or send me an email if you have any questions or need help, or if you find some useful resources you want me to add to the blog post.  My email address is tnorton@plattecanyonsd1.org.


<3

Resources for Chapter 9 - Plants

If you are having trouble with your skeleton outline, you can download mine and fill it in.  Here is the link.

Visual Timeline

History of Plants Website
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When you are finished...

Seed Plants Brain Pop

Vascular Plants Animated Lesson

Section 1 Self Checking Quiz

Section 2 Self Checking Quiz

Section 3 Self Checking Quiz

Whole Chapter Review Quiz

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When you are DONE preparing for your test...

Medicinal Plants

More Medicinal Plants (Rainforest)

Why Leaves Change Color in the Fall

Why Leaves Change, For Kids

If you want to know the pine trees of Bailey by name... (You know who you are!)  <3

http://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=109 - Colorado Blue Spruce

http://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=105 - Douglas Fir

http://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=175 - Engelmann Spruce

http://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=177 - Lodgepole Pine

http://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=108 - Ponderosa Pine

Photosynthesis and Respiration Resources Found By Students

Resources for Photosynthesis and Respiration

Here is a powerpoint show you can use to help you practice using your manipulative tools.

Here is a video made by me - basically just the way I will teach it in class.