Post on 04-Apr-2020
1
MNLA Curriculum Unit A, Lesson 2
UNIT TITLE: HOOKED ON HORTICULTURE: USING GARDEN CENTERS TO
DISCOVER THE WONDERS OF PLANTS
LESSON 2: Identifying Plants at the Garden Center and in the Landscape; 30-40 minutes
MINNESOTA ACADEMIC STANDARDS IN SCIENCE:
3.1.1.2.3 -- Maintain a record of observations, procedures and explanations, being careful to
distinguish between actual observations and ideas about what was observed.
For example: Make a chart comparing observations about the structures of plants
and animals.
3.4.1.1.2 -- Identify common groups of plants and animals using observable physical
characteristics, structures and behaviors. For example: Sort and identify common
Minnesota trees based on leaf/needle characteristics.
AUTHORS: Terry Ferriss and Kelly Holt
GRADE LEVEL/SUBJECT: 3 Science
OVERVIEW: The Garden Center provides a unique opportunity to discover the diversity of
the plant world. This activity was designed to teach children how to identify and compare leaf
characteristics as a tool for plant identification. Tree identification is the focus, however, other
plants could also be used.
OBJECTIVES:
As a result of this activity, students will be able to:
1. Identify selected plant species based on leaf characteristics.
2. Describe vein patterns, leaf arrangements, leaf shapes and leaf edges.
MATERIALS:
• A Tree Is Nice by Janice May Udry
• 1 live branch sample of 4-6 different broad leafed plant species (trees, shrubs,
tropicals, annuals, perennials) representing different leaf shapes and leaf
characteristics for each group of 4 students
ALTERNATIVE: If live plants are not available, print copies of the attached
picture samples of common trees and shrubs as a substitute.
• Masking tape label with the common name on each branch
• Leaf information handout
• Tree Identification Activity Worksheet (see attached)
2
ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURES:
1. Read A Tree Is Nice.
2. Ask students to name a tree they have seen growing in their yard or community.
3. Tell students that one way you can tell plants apart is by their leaves. Explain to
students that garden center professionals need to be able to tell the plants apart in order
to help the customers buy the right plant for the right place.
4. Using the attached handout, describe the basic leaf parts, arrangements, shapes, edge
characteristics.
5. Invite the students to sit on the floor in front of you.
6. Hold up a large branch sample. Point to and say petiole and have the students repeat the
word petiole in unison. Do the same with leaf blade, axillary bud , node and internode.
7. Identify and explain to students why the sample plant has opposite or alternate leaf
arrangement. Ask students to name the shape of the leaf. Point out to students the leaf
edge characteristics of the sample and relate it back to the leaf edge key on the handout.
8. With the assistance of the teacher, divide students into groups with a maximum of 4 per
group. Provide each group with one or more labeled branch samples of a single species
and an activity worksheet.
9. Guide the students on how to fill out the worksheet using the first sample. Instruct
them to write the name of the plant in the space provided. Ask them to work as a
group and use the keys on the handout to identify what the characteristics of the sample
are and fill in the information in the appropriate boxes on the worksheet.
10. Distribute the next branch species and allow the students time to fill out the boxes for
"Sample 2" on their activity worksheets. Continue this process until all samples have
been distributed. Be sure students have completed their activity worksheets.
11. Invite students to return to the floor in front of you with their activity worksheets.
Discuss the answers for all species. Encourage students to check their own work and
praise students for working hard.
12. Encourage students to find these same plants in their community.
ASSESSMENT: Observation of students’ ability to complete the worksheet using the keys
provided.
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITY: Have students use the leaves from the branch samples to
create leaf rubbings. Encourage students to write the name
of the plant next to its rubbing.
HANDOUTS AND WORKSHEETS: • Plant Identification Handouts ( includes definitions and examples of leaf
characteristics used in identification and several leaf pictures of trees/shrubs
to use when no live samples are available)
• Tree Identification Worksheet
3
MNLA Hosted Curriculum
for
Third and Fourth Grades
Plant ID Handouts
for Lesson A2:
Identifying Plants at the Garden Center and in the
Landscape
4
Simple and Compound Leaves
Notice the location of the axillary buds
Leaf Shape
MNLA Handout for Lesson A2
Simple Leaf : One
leaf blade per node Compound Leaf: More than one leaf blade
per node (axillary buds are at the node)
Linear Oval Round Triangular
5
LEAF VEIN
Patterns
Leaf Edges
MNLA Handout for Lesson A2
Parallel Pinnate
(like fish bones) Palmate
(like your hand)
Smooth (Entire)
Wavy (Undulating
)
Sharp
Teeth (Serrated)
)
Lobes with
Sharp Teeth
Round Lobes
without Teeth
6
Leaf Type
_____
Leaf Arrangement
MNLA Handout for Lesson A2
Opposite Alternate
Needle - like Broad and Flat
7
Picture Samples of MN Trees and Shrubs for
Identification
These can be used for Lesson A.2 at times of the year when the actual
leaves are not available
(Fold under the answers)
8
SUMAC
Sumac: broad -flat leaf; linear shape; compound leaf, sharp leaf edges; pinnate veins
MNLA Handout for Lesson A2
9
Aspen (Populus tremuloides)
Aspen: broad-leaf; alternate; triangular shape, wavy leaf edges, pinnate vein pattern
MNLA Handout for Lesson A2
10
Honeysuckle (Lonicera sp.)
Honeysuckle: broad-leaf, opposite, oval, smooth, pinnate vein pattern
MNLA Handout for Lesson A2
11
Bridal Wreath Spirea (Spirea vanhoutii)
Spirea: Broadleaf, opposite, oval shape, sharp edges, pinnate vein pattern
MNLA Handout for Lesson A2
12
Red Pine - State Tree of MN Colorado Blue Spruce
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Red Oak White Oak
MNLA Handout for Lesson A2
13
Sugar Maple
Sugar Maple: Broadleaf, opposite, triangular to round, palmately veined, lobes with a few points
MNLA Handout for Lesson A2
14
Boxelder
Boxelder: Broadleaf, opposite, compound (one leaf has 3 leaflets as seen above), oval shape, a few teeth on
outer third of leaflets, pinnately veined
MNLA Handout for Lesson A2
15
Tree Identification Worksheet
Directions: Look at the leaves of the plant samples provided. Write down the name of the tree. Check the
most appropriate box for each leaf characteristic. Draw a picture of the leaf .
Sample 1 Name of Tree: __________________________________________
1. Leaf type: needle-like broad and flat
2. Leaf arrangement: opposite alternate
3. Leaf shape : linear oval round triangular
4. Leaf edges: smooth wavy sharp teeth
lobes with sharp teeth round lobes without sharp teeth
5. Vein pattern: parallel pinnate palmate
(like fish bones) (like your hand)
Draw a leaf of this tree:
Sample 2 Name of Tree: __________________________________________
1. Leaf type: needle-like broad and flat
2. Leaf arrangement: opposite alternate
3. Leaf shape : linear oval round triangular
4. Leaf edges: smooth wavy sharp teeth
lobes with sharp teeth round lobes without sharp teeth
5. Vein pattern: parallel pinnate palmate
(like fish bones) (like your hand)
Draw a leaf of this tree:
MNLA Worksheet for Lesson A2
16
Sample 3 Name of Tree: __________________________________________
1. Leaf type: needle-like broad and flat
2. Leaf arrangement: opposite alternate
3. Leaf shape : linear oval round triangular
4. Leaf edges: smooth wavy sharp teeth
lobes with sharp teeth round lobes without sharp teeth
5. Vein pattern: parallel pinnate palmate
(like fish bones) (like your hand)
Draw a leaf of this tree:
Sample 4 Name of Tree: __________________________________________
1. Leaf type: needle-like OR broad and flat
2. Leaf arrangement: opposite OR alternate
3. Leaf shape : linear OR oval OR round OR triangular
4. Leaf edges: smooth OR wavy OR sharp teeth OR
lobes with sharp teeth OR round lobes without sharp teeth
5. Vein pattern: parallel OR pinnate OR palmate
(like fish bones) (like your hand)
Draw a leaf of this tree:
MNLA Worksheet for Lesson A2
17