Active Learning: Infusion Level

(K-4 Lesson)

Life of Plants
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Grade Level
3
Classroom Configuration
  • Whole group instruction, using a projector and / or interactive white board; and,
  • Small group, using classroom computers or mobile laptops as rotating stations
Arizona State Content Standards
  • Science
    • Strand 4: Life Science
      • Concept 1: Characteristics of Organisms: Understand that basic structures in plants and animals serve a function.
        • PO 1: Describe the function of the following plant structures:
          • roots – absorb nutrients
          • stems – provide support
          • leaves – synthesize food
          • flowers – attract pollinators and produce seeds
      • Concept 2: Life Cycles: Understand the life cycles of plants and animals.
        • PO 1: Compare life cycles of various plants (e.g., conifers, flowering plants, ferns).
        • PO 2: Explain how growth, death, and decay are part of the plant life cycle.
      • Concept 4: Diversity, Adaptation and Behavior: Identify plant and animal adaptations.
        • PO 1: Identify adaptations of plants and animals that allow them to live in specific environments.
        • PO 2: Describe ways that species adapt when introduced into new environments.
        • PO 3: Cite examples of how a species' inability to adapt to changing conditions in the ecosystem led to the extinction of that species.
Arizona Educational Technology Standards (2009)
  • Strand 1: Creativity and Innovation
    • Concept 1: Knowledge and Ideas
      • PO 1: Evaluate information to generate ideas and processes.
    • Concept 4: Original Works
      • PO 1: Use digital creativity tools to create original works.
      • PO 2: Use digital collaborative tools to analyze information to produce original works.
  • Strand 2: Communication and Collaboration
    • Concept 2: Digital Solutions.
      • PO 1: Contribute to a cooperative learning project and demonstrate effective group behaviors while using digital collaborative resources.
  • Strand 3: Research and Information Literacy
    • Concept 2: Processing
      • PO 4: Organize information into major topics and create a list of ideas.
      • PO 5: Follow copyright laws when using text and media, obtain permission to use the work of others, and cite resources appropriately.
Objectives
  • Students will learn about the life cycles of plants and adaptations through research.
  • Students will engage in creatively narrating video segments.
Procedure
  1. The teacher will engage students in a brainstorm of:
    1. what they know about the life cycles of plants, parts of plants,
    2. how they live in the environment (adaptations)
    3. what they want to investigate using mindmapping software such as Bubbl.us or Free Mind, and the projector.
  2. Through this brainstorm, students will develop several guiding questions for their investigations
  3. Students will be separated into the following groups, based on their interest:
    1. Parts of a plant
    2. Seeds
    3. Plant needs
    4. Plant habitats
    5. Plant adaptations
  4. Students will watch the corresponding video segments of the Discovery Education Video: How Plants Grow. Each group will narrate a segment of the video.
  5. Using headsets and microphones, or iPods/handhelds and voice recorders, the students will record the narration using Audacity.
  6. Students will import the video clip into video editing software, and either extract the audio or turn the volume off. (Depending on the software used)
  7. Students will import the new audio file into the video software and sync it with the video.
  8. Students will share out, watching and learning from the presentations.
Materials
Assessment
  • Teachers can assess the project using a rubric. Students can self-assess using rubrics from Rubistar.com or their own creation.
TIM - Active: Infusion
Northern Arizona University