By the end of fourth grade, students will develop an understanding of the characteristics of living things. Students plant radish seeds in two plastic bags of moistened seed started mix, and then one bag in a well-lighted place and the other bag in a dark place. For 10 days, students observe differences between seedlings grown under light and dark conditions. Students find that plants grown in the light are sturdier and have larger, greener leaves than plants grown in the dark. Students will complete Lab Manual pages 5-6 as they do the activity.
Students observe and describe the characteristics of a particular fruit.
Students identify and count the number of seeds found in that fruit and then observe, draw, and write about the characteristics of one seed. Students repeat this procedure with at least two other fruits and their seeds. Students will complete Lab Manual pages 3-4 as they do the activity. Students examine leaves, stem, and roots of a plant and draw pictures and write descriptions of plant parts. They complete Lab Manual pages 1-2 at they do the activity.