Flowers, Fruits, Seeds and Weeds, 2nd Grade

This program consists of three 60-minute lessons:

1) The Purpose of a Flower,

2) What a Seed Needs,

3) Seed Dispersal and Invasive Plants.   

1) The Purpose of a Flower:

Learning Objective: Students will use models and specimens to review the structures of a flowering plant and their functions (roots, stem, leaves, flower), learn the basic parts of a flower (petals, nectar, pollen, eggs, and ovary), and understand the process and purpose of pollination.

 Lesson Summary: Students will review the basic parts of plants and their functions by building a model of a plant out of a classmate. Then they will learn the basic parts of a flower that are used for reproduction, and model the process of pollination, both on the plant model and on a real flower. They will dissect a flower specimen and identify the parts that are used for reproduction. The lesson will end with a story about the purpose of flowers in reproduction.

Crosscutting Concepts: Patterns, Structure and Function

Disciplinary Core Ideas: LS2.A -Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems

Practices of Science: Developing and using models, Planning and Carrying out Investigations

Performance Expectation: 2-LS2-2: Develop a simple model that mimics the function of an animal in dispersing seeds or pollinating plants

Vocabulary:  Nutrients, Photosynthesis, Petals, Nectar, Pollen, Ovary, Eggs, Reproduce, Seed, Pollination, Pollinator, Fruit

2) What a Seed Needs:

Learning Objective:  Students will learn the 3 basic parts of a seed (seed coat, embryo, and cotyledon) , the life cycle of a flowering plant, and what seeds need in order to sprout, grow and survive (water, sun, soil, space). They will learn that in order to get these things, a seed is usually dispersed away from the parent plant.

 Lesson Summary: After learning the 3 parts of a seed, students will dissect a sprouted seed in partners and watch a video of a bean seed sprouting and growing. Together, students will construct a diagram that shows the life cycle of a flowering plant, identify the point in the life cycle where pollination is required, and learn about the important role that seed dispersal plays in a plant’s life cycle. We will end with a story about what seeds need in order to sprout, grow and survive.

Crosscutting Concepts: Patterns, Structure and Function

Disciplinary Core Ideas: LS2.A -Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems

Practices of Science: Developing and using models, Planning and Carrying out Investigations

Performance Expectation: 2-LS2-2: Develop a simple model that mimics the function of an animal in dispersing seeds or pollinating plants

Vocabulary:  Seed Coat, Embryo, Cotyledon, Life Cycle, Seedling, Bud, Seed Dispersal

3) Seed Dispersal and Invasive Plants:

Learning Objective: Students will learn the four primary ways plants disperse their seeds (wind, dehiscence, animals, water) and the difference between native, non-native, and invasive plants, and discuss the consequences of invasive plants. They will see how humans help to spread seeds of invasive plants and recognize actions they can take to make sure they are not spreading seeds.

 Lesson Summary: Students will use models, specimens, and images to learn the four primary ways plants disperse their seeds and sort some local seeds based on their dispersal mechanism. They will learn the definition of native, non-native, and invasive plants and see examples of each. We will discuss the consequences of invasive plants, the role of people in spreading the seeds of these plants, and actions they can take to assure that they are not accidentally spreading seeds of invasive plants.

Crosscutting Concepts: Patterns, Structure and Function

Disciplinary Core Ideas: LS4.D – Biodiversity and Humans

Practices of Science: Construct Argument with Evidence, Planning and Carrying out Investigations

Performance Expectation: 2-LS4-1: Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats

Vocabulary:  Native Plant, Non-native Plant, Invasive Plant

Science Standards This Program Meets

About Teton County Weed & Pest District

TCWP has developed science education programs for grades 2, 3 and 5 that address NGSS while teaching students about invasive species and pests. Each program consists of 3 lessons that build on each other and involve students in practices of science as they learn Disciplinary Core Ideas in the Life Sciences framed in the real-world context of invasive species and pests. Program content follows a flow through the grade levels, starting with plant reproduction and seed dispersal in 2nd grade and ending with the impact of invasive species on ecosystems in 5th grade. Programs are available from Sept 1 – May 15 and are best scheduled at the beginning of the school year. All lessons are free of charge

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Who	Teton County Weed and Pest District
What	Science programs for grades 2, 3 and 5, including 3 lessons per grade level, offered by TCWP staff in classrooms, most materials provided by TCWP, programs address Disciplinary Core Ideas, Cross Cutting Concepts, and Practices of Science from NGSS while teaching students about the real environment issues around invasive species and pests.
When	Sep 1 - May 15 each year
Where	In your classroom
Why	To meet mission of Teton County Weed & Pest and the Wyoming Alliance for Environmental Education while helping teachers address NGSS and giving elementary students access to hands-on science and exposing them to future career opportunities.