Plant Cultivation Lesson Plans

Students work together to design an experiment that compares and contrasts differnet plant cultivation systems. In groups, they evaluate the results of the experiment to discover if the cultivation system could be used in space. They complete a worksheet and develop a hypothesis to end the instructional activity.

Twelfth graders are introduced to the relationship between plants and microgravity. In groups, they predice the effect of microgravity on plant processes and develop indicators for testing various plant cultivation systems. They summarize their ideas and provide justification for them.

Students perform estimates, measurements and calculations on a watermelon. They predict what percentage of the watermelon is edible. They write predictions on the chalkboard. the weigh the melon on a bathroom scale, and record the results.

Students investigate which diaper is the most absorbent. In this chemistry lesson, students calculate how much water is absorbed by diapers. They identify an unknown powder based on physical and chemical properties.

Students investigate the concept of the food pyramid. The lesson includes background information for the teacher to lecture students about the food pyramid. They construct a model of the pyramid using cereal boxes. The projects could serve as props for research papers presented as an extension to the lesson.

Eighth graders compare the use of rice in the 1700s to the modern use of rice. In this lesson examining the importance of rice in US history, 8th graders learn about the role of rice in the early 1700s and compare the use of rice in cooking then to the modern use of rice in cooking.

Eighth graders begin their examination of the prehistoric period in Illinois. As a class, they discuss the role of archaeology in history and how it helps learn more about native peoples. After examining each period, they develop their own conclusions about how people lived during the time period.

Students are introduced to the topic of interdependence within systems. In groups, they describe the functioning parts of objects that make them a system and discuss what happens if one part doesn't work properly. They make comparisons between human and animal systems and report on how interdependence helps animals meet their basic needs.

Students explore the origins of food and other everyday products around the United States. For this agricultural lesson, students learn basic vocabulary and practice matching common items with their agricultural source. They categorize and alphabetize products based on their origin. Finally, students map sources of different products on a United States Map.

Students view a video that presents the biogeochemical cycle of nitrogen. They compare types of soils and consider how different fertilizers affect soil composition.