Skip Navigation
Search

Plants as Shelter

Plants as Shelter

TEKS Objective

Gather evidence of interdependence among living organisms such as energy transfer through food chains and animals using plants for shelter.

Essential Understanding

The student knows that the living environment is composed of relationships between organisms and the life cycles that occur.

Science Background

Plants and Life on Earth: Missouri Botanical Garden (website) - Explanation of the many ways in which plants benefit the environment, animals and people.

Plants and Life on Earth
Missouri Botanical Garden, www.mbgnet.net/bioplants

Introduction to Ecosystems: BioEd Online (video) – Overview of the interactions among the components of ecosystems, cycles with ecosystems and basic types of ecosystems.

Introduction to Ecosystems
BioEd Online, http://superstaar.org

Signature Lesson

Living in a Tree: University of Michigan Nichols Arboretum (website) – Students gather their own evidence about tree dwellers through an outdoor investigation.

Living in a Tree
University of Michigan Nichols Arboretum, www.reachoutmichigan.org

Supporting Lessons

Kids for Trees: Illinois Natural History Survey (PDF) - Teacher guide for a multi-lesson module in which students learn how animals, people and the environment itself depend on trees for shelter, food, oxygen, and more. Activity 3, Dead and Alive (page 9) focuses on the many organisms that use dead trees for food and shelter.

Kids for Trees
Illinois Natural History Survey, www.reachoutmichigan.org

Plants and Animals: Tuscarawas Valley Public Schools (website) - SMARTBoard activities and lessons on plant and animal needs, habitats, and other life science topics. (SMARTBoard software required.)

Plants and Animals
Tuscarawas Valley Public Schools, www.tuskyvalley.k12.oh.us

Elaboration Lessons and Extensions

Nature Kids, Fall Flower Search: Nature Discovery Center (PDF) - We often think of spring or summer as the time for flowers, but there are many autumn flowers, too. Investigate and record the fall flowers in your area and chart how many insects or other animals you find living on, or visiting each flower.

Nature Kids, Fall Flower Search
Nature Discovery Center, www.naturediscoverycenter.org

Pushy Plants: University of Connecticut College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (PDF) - Students learn how invasive plants can threaten habitats.

Pushy Plants - Teacher's Guide
University of Connecticut College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, www.hort.uconn.edu

Pushy Plants - Handout 1
University of Connecticut College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, www.hort.uconn.edu

Pushy Plants - Gameboard
University of Connecticut College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, www.hort.uconn.edu

Pushy Plants - Overheads
University of Connecticut College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, www.hort.uconn.edu

Hide and Seek: Manitoba, Canada (PDF) - Identify ways in which humand and other animals use trees.

Hide and Seek
Manitoba, Canada, www.gov.mb.ca

Assessment Ideas

Have each student draw a picture of a tree, including animals that might use the tree for food and shelter. Then have students verbally present and explain their drawings to a partner and/or the entire class.

Literature Connections

On One Flower. Fredericks, Anthony (ISBN-13: 978-1584690870)

Under One Rock: Bugs, Slugs, and Other Ughs. Fredericks, Anthony (ISBN-13: 978-1584690276)

Who Lives in a Tree? Canizares, Susan (ISBN-13: 978-0590158565)

Related Science TEKS

(K.1A) Science Safety
The student is expected to identify and demonstrate safe practices as described in the Texas Safety Standards during classroom and outdoor investigations, including wearing safety goggles, washing hands, and using materials appropriately.

(K.1B) Importance of Safe Practices
The student is expected to discuss the importance of safe practices to keep self and others safe and healthy.

(K.2A) Ask Questions
The student is expected to ask questions about organisms, objects, and events observed in the natural world.

(K.2B) Plan and Conduct Descriptive Investigations
The student is expected to plan and conduct simple descriptive investigations such as ways objects move.

(K.2C) Collect Data
The student is expected to collect data and make observations using simple equipment such as hand lenses, primary balances, and non-standard measurement tools.

(K.2D) Record and Organize Data & Observations
The student is expected to record and organize data and observations using pictures, numbers, and words.

(K.2E) Communicate Observations
The student is expected to communicate observations with others about simple descriptive investigations.

(K.3B) Make Predictions
The student is expected to make predictions based on observable patterns in nature such as the shapes of leaves.

(K.3C) Explore Scientists
The student is expected to explore that scientists investigate different things in the natural world and use tools to help in their investigations.

(K.4A) Tools for Collecting Information
The student will collect information using tools, including computers, hand lenses, primary balances, cups, bowls, magnets, collecting nets, and notebooks; timing devices, including clocks and timers; non-standard measuring items such as paper clips and clothespins; weather instruments such as demonstration thermometers and wind socks; and materials to support observations of habitats of organisms such as terrariums and aquariums.

(K.4B) Five Senses
The student is expected to use senses as a tool of observation to identify properties and patterns of organisms, objects, and events in the environment.

Related Math TEKS

K.8A The student is expected to describe and identify an object by its attributes using informal language (including shape, size, type, color, texture, or use).

K.8B The student is expected to compare two objects based on their attributes.

K.13B The student is expected to solve problems with guidance that incorporates the processes of understanding the problem, making a plan, carrying out the plan, and evaluating the solution for reasonableness.

K.15A The student is expected to justify his or her thinking using objects, words, pictures, numbers, and technology.

Additional Resources

Education & Tours: Houston Zoo (website) - Schedule a field trip and adventure class for your students to observe the interdependence among living organisms, including how animals use plants for shelter. If you are not in the Houston area, most other zoos also offer fun, educational field trips for class groups.

Education & Tours
Houston Zoo, www.houstonzoo.org

Shelter - Wilderness Classroom (PDF) – Plants often provide shelter that is well-suited, durable, abundant and sustainable.

Shelter
Wilderness Classroom, www.wildernessclassroom.com

Close Comments Button

Comments

Post a Comment
Close Comments Button