Tuesday, February 28, 2012

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!

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