What we have been up to in grade six science
As a grade six class we began our Trees and Forests unit with a K-W-L chart. This is a chart where students record what they KNOW about the topic, what they WANT to know, and then finally what they LEARNED about our Trees and Forests unit.
To see the charts we constructed as a class please follow the link below.
LINK TO K-W-L CHARTS
In class we got in groups and created AWESOME posters which showcased the students knowledge on the importance of Trees and Forests. You can see these posters around our room.
Once brainstorming was underway we began taking notes on What is a Tree and What is a Forest. The exhaustive notes are below, students have condensed and shortened notes in their duo tangs.
To see the charts we constructed as a class please follow the link below.
LINK TO K-W-L CHARTS
In class we got in groups and created AWESOME posters which showcased the students knowledge on the importance of Trees and Forests. You can see these posters around our room.
Once brainstorming was underway we began taking notes on What is a Tree and What is a Forest. The exhaustive notes are below, students have condensed and shortened notes in their duo tangs.
What is a tree and forest notes.docx | |
File Size: | 151 kb |
File Type: | docx |
After the students got the basics, we began discussions and notes on what is included in a forest; living and non living and levels of the forest. Below is the PPT we utilized. To reinforce these ideas, students began working on a Visual Assignment where they are to draw a forest of their choosing and label the levels of the forest and include those living and non living things we discussed in class. You can find that assignment below as well.
levels of the forest.ppt | |
File Size: | 3548 kb |
File Type: | ppt |
levels of the forest visual assignment.docx | |
File Size: | 19 kb |
File Type: | docx |
The past couple days students have been learning all about the connections that take place in a forest ecosystem. The interconnections are crucial to the survival of not only the trees, but to all those involved: Producers, consumers, decomposers. As a way to reinforce the nutrient cycle, students played 'nutrient tag' which showcased how the cycle works, and what happens when the producers are removed. Below are the notes we used and the PPT.
interconnection:foodchain/webs,consumers, nutrient cycle.pptx | |
File Size: | 2006 kb |
File Type: | pptx |
forest ecosystem balance notes.docx | |
File Size: | 63 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Once students got the base knowledge of what a forest contains and the different parts, we moved our focus more onto the trees. We discussed the different between the two types of trees: coniferous and deciduous.
C is for Conifers song
Sesame street decidious trees
C is for Conifers song
Sesame street decidious trees
D vs C: Tree Types.ppt | |
File Size: | 522 kb |
File Type: | ppt |
Students were very excited to learn about the fancy word of photosynthesis and what it actually means. We learned many words that were new to the students: chlorophyll, glucose, carbohydrates, photosynthetic equation, starches and chloroplasts.
Photosynthesis song
Photosynthesis game
Photosynthesis Video
Photosynthesis song
Photosynthesis game
Photosynthesis Video
Photosynthesis and color change notes.docx | |
File Size: | 32 kb |
File Type: | docx |
As a form of review, students played Jeopardy! Below is the PPT if they choose to use it for study purposes
Quiz Review Jeopardy.ppt | |
File Size: | 825 kb |
File Type: | ppt |
I kept getting the same kinds of questions over and over again from students in relation to the colors the leaves are changing. In order to answer these questions we took a science class to discuss the complex process. This is not something that students need to know in detail but it is cool information they seemed to really enjoy. In order to emphasize the different pigments in the leaves, even though they are green, we did a lab on leaf chromotography.
Why leaves change color video
Why leave change color video
Why leaves change color video
Why leave change color video
Leaf change.ppt | |
File Size: | 461 kb |
File Type: | ppt |
Leaf Chromotography Lab.docx | |
File Size: | 17 kb |
File Type: | docx |
The next couple days we will be spending time learning how to identify leaves, branch patterns and well... trees! Students by the end should be able to look at leaf and be able to use a dichotomous key to tell them where it came from. They should also be able to look at a the popular Albertan trees and be able to distinguish what kind it is.
Leaf Identification.pptx | |
File Size: | 739 kb |
File Type: | pptx |
leaf_identification page.docx | |
File Size: | 49 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Trees of Alberta: Students are participating in a 'jigsaw' type activity where students are required to learn about a particular tree, and then teach it to fellow class mates in an organized group system.
Alberta Trees Chart.docx | |
File Size: | 594 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Alberta Tree Descriptions to Fill in the Charts.docx | |
File Size: | 20 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Trees and Forests CPAWS Field Trip: Click the link below, it takes you to a Google Drive folder. In this folder, please add any pictures you may have taken on the field trip.
Field Trip Picture folder!
Field Trip Picture folder!
Growth of a tree: Now that students know different trees and how to identify them, we began to take a look at the growth of a tree through the use of tree cookies (dendrodiscs).
Parts of a tree and tree cookies.ppt | |
File Size: | 811 kb |
File Type: | ppt |
Human Impact: As a human race we can either enhance or threaten the Trees and Forests we need and love. Students discussed the positive and negatives of human impact on various Forest ecosystems.
Relevant Issues in relation to Trees and Forests: Students must be able see that issues related to Science (Trees and Forests in particular) can have various perspectives on that issue, and they must be able to identify actions that might be taken.
The issue we will be using in class is the recent approval of the new controversial new ski resort has been approved to be built in the South Eastern British Columbia in the Kootenay area.
Jumbo Glacier is planned to be a year-round skiing mountain resort developed in three phases at an estimated cost of $450 million. The future resort development has been the subject of controversy as a result of public opposition from the residents of the region, the Lower Kootenay First Nation and the Sinixt Nation for political, economic, and environmental reasons.
Students will be working in teams to develop a stance on the new project. They will do research and create a poster of their ideas. Once teams are prepared we will be having a forum/ debate where students will be able share their ideas and opinions. If students disagree, I really hope students speak up and debate their perspectives.
Relevant Issues in relation to Trees and Forests: Students must be able see that issues related to Science (Trees and Forests in particular) can have various perspectives on that issue, and they must be able to identify actions that might be taken.
The issue we will be using in class is the recent approval of the new controversial new ski resort has been approved to be built in the South Eastern British Columbia in the Kootenay area.
Jumbo Glacier is planned to be a year-round skiing mountain resort developed in three phases at an estimated cost of $450 million. The future resort development has been the subject of controversy as a result of public opposition from the residents of the region, the Lower Kootenay First Nation and the Sinixt Nation for political, economic, and environmental reasons.
Students will be working in teams to develop a stance on the new project. They will do research and create a poster of their ideas. Once teams are prepared we will be having a forum/ debate where students will be able share their ideas and opinions. If students disagree, I really hope students speak up and debate their perspectives.
Human Impact and Ski Hill Project.pptx | |
File Size: | 4244 kb |
File Type: | pptx |
Ski Hill Assignment Page.docx | |
File Size: | 18 kb |
File Type: | docx |
As a way to finish the unit, students learned the historical and modern impacts on trees and forests.
Modern and historicalforest use.pptx | |
File Size: | 97 kb |
File Type: | pptx |
STUDY GUIDE
Trees and forests unit review.pdf | |
File Size: | 2372 kb |
File Type: |