Lesson I Something is Happening to Our Woods, Waters and Wildlife
Overview: Students are introduced to Florida’s unique aquatic and terrestrial plants while learning the difference between native, non-native and invasive plants along the way. They’ll also learn why native plants are important to our natural areas and the costly impacts that some non-native invasive plant species are having on our environment and economy.
PPT = PowerPoint™ Presentation |
UE = upper elementary |
MS = middle school |
HS = high school |
Part 2 — A Closer Look (Identification & Classification of Native, Non-native and Invasive Plants)
Key Points
- Florida is home to hundreds of aquatic & wetland plants that live in damp to wet soils or even underwater.
- They can be classified into four main types of plants that, together, provide stability for sediments and shorelines, as well as valuable wildlife habitat. http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/guide/natplant.html#natemer
(Note: Native, non-native and invasive plants are represented in each of these following categories.)
Keywords
emersed plants, floating plants, floating-leaved plants, submersed plants (See Silent Invaders Teacher Guide for definitions.)
Concept Map
Main Activities
- Classification of Aquatic Plants and KWL (UE, MS, HS) - Students learn physical characteristics and practice classification skills during this activity.
- Who Am I? (A Plant Guessing Game) (UE, MS) - (A companion activity to Freshwater Plant Puzzle Observation Activity). Students identify characteristics of native, non-native and invasive plants, as well as their habitats: After matching keywords with definitions, students try to guess the name of a plant based on clues provided by the teacher. The class is allowed to ask up to five questions, which can only be answered with "yes" or "no." Magnifying glass included.
- Reading Activities – Students develop vocabulary on plant types (emersed, floating, floating-leaved and submersed plants) using these reading / coloring activities. - Coming soon.
- Create Your Own Artist’s Journal of Florida Plants – students use CAIP line drawing images - Coming soon.
- Cloze Reading Passages (UE, MS) - designed to enhance reading comprehension; students must choose the most appropriate word (from a word bank) to complete a passage about emersed, floating, floating-leaved, and submersed plants. - Coming soon.
Lab Activities
- Hands-on Classification Activity (using artificial plants)
Filled In - Word (87 KB)
Blank - Word (167 KB)
Artificial Plant List - Word (75 KB)
- Freshwater BINGO! – An activity designed to acquaint students with the basic structure and identifying characteristics of 84 Florida freshwater plants. Classroom kits available upon request.
Student Instructions - Word (901 KB)
Student Instructions (Blank) - Word (902 KB)
Plant Habit Check List - Word (902 KB)
Additional Resources (activities, fact sheets, labs, illustrations, etc.)
