PLANTS

Posted by Denilya Barrett

Introduction

The "Structures of Life" science kit is about plants and animals. Our class will have the kit from 11/21/2011 to 2/27/2012 this year. In addition to the in class activity of growing plants, we will be doing some assignments online. You will work on these assignments during your in class computer time and during the weekly computer lab time. If you have a computer with an internet connection at home, you can work there too. This will affect your technology grade as well as your science grade on the report card.

Tips for Success
  • Keep track of the due dates.
  • Work on the science every time you're on the computer.
  • Read the directions carefully.
  • Communicate with your group.
Grading
  • Science Grade- Determined by the content of your work. Give detailed answers to questions, don't rush through the assignments.
  • Technology Grade- Determined by your use of all programs in this class (Google Docs, Wiki, the message boards, Storybird, Kerpoof, the blog).
  • Collaborative Worker- your collaboration grade on the report card will be determined by your self-assessment and your group member's assessment of your participation.
The Great Plant Escape

You will be reading The Great Plant Esacape. The information is broken down into "cases." Each case has different assignments.

Case 1- Due 12/16/2011- In Search of Green Life: As you read, you will need to answer questions about the information that you learn. You will be answering these questions with your group members in Google Docs. Your work will be saved when your computer time is up so that you and your group members can return to the assignment later to finish working on it. To open your document, log into the class message board, go to your group's thread and click the Google Docs link from there. You will also be assigned several words to edit on the class wiki. To get to the class wiki, log into the message board and click on your group's thread.

Links you need for Case 1:
Case 2 and Case 3- Due 1/27/2012- Soil and Seeds: You will be creating a presentation in Google Docs. To open your document, log into the class message board, go to your group's thread and click the Google Docs link from there. You have a question to reply to in your group's thread. You will also be assigned several words to edit on the class wiki.

Links you need for Case 2 & 3:
Case 1,2, and 3- Due 2/17/2012- The Life of a Plant: You will be creating a story about the life of a plant in Storybird. This story should start with conception and end with it's death. To get started you must log into Storybird and search for plant and flower pictures. When you are done with the story, be sure the publish it so your classmates and teacher can read it. You have a question to reply to in your group's thread on the message board. You will also be assigned several words to edit on the class wiki. These words have been assigned before to other groups. Your job will be to read their work and to edit and add new information to the page.

Links you need for Case 2 & 3:
Case 4- Due 3/9/2012- Flowers: You will create an animation in Kerpoof that decribes the parts of a flower, plant reproduction, and nonflowering plants. When you are done with the story, be sure the publish it so your classmates and teacher can read it. You have a question to reply to in your group's thread on the message board. You will also be assigned several words to edit on the class wiki. These words have been assigned before to other groups. Your job will be to read their work and to edit and add new information to the page.

Links you need for Case 2 & 3: