What is this Stuff?

Lesson

Gail Streett

Yellville-Summit Schools

Type: Single lesson that can be an extension of the study of angiosperms and gymnosperms.

Length: 20 – 30 minutes

Keywords: angiosperm, gymnosperm, city beautification

Grade Level: 5th through 8^th

Overview: The lesson is designed to illustrate the property of gymnosperms dispersing many unprotected seeds. The pictures illustrate the seed dispersal of Poplars that were planted in many Russian cities as a beautification project. The seeds are carried through the air by a “cotton-like” fluff that gives the appearance of snow.

Supplies: Definitions of angiosperms and gymnosperms; pictures attached

Standards: Science, Life Science 2.3 and 2.5; Social Studies People, Places and Environments 1.1

Standard Source: Arkansas Science and Social Studies Curriculum Frameworks

Objectives: Through observation of a specific type of seed dispersal, students will understand and define gymnosperms. They will infer that properties of plants need to be carefully considered before they are brought into a specific environment.

Strategy: Explain that these pictures were all taken in June of 2003 in Yekatrinburg, Russia, by a group of teachers visiting there from Arkansas. They show the effects of a particular kind of tree that was planted in Moscow, Yekatrinburg and Ryazan as part of a city beautification project. Explain that often trees for city beautification projects are chosen because they grow quickly and that other properties of the trees are sometimes overlooked.

Assessment: After the students have viewed the pictures, ask them to define “gymnosperm” and explain how they could tell that the Poplar was a gymnosperm.

Extension: Encourage students to think of ways that this type of tree might be creating problems for the citizens of the cities where they’ve been planted.