TERM 1: BIOLOGY
PLANTS IN ACTION: Unit at a glance (PDF) 

We depend on plants for the oxygen we breathe, many foods, fibres, building materials, medicines and fuels, and for the pleasures of beautiful flowers. Agriculture, horticulture, forestry, conservation of natural habitats and gardening all require an understanding of plants.

The Plants in Action unit is an ideal way to link science with literacy in the classroom. Students' beliefs about flowering plants will be challenged as they work through hands-on activities. Students will develop a sense of wonder and appreciation of plants as they investigate the processes of pollination and germination, the stages in a plants life cycle and environmental conditions that plants need for growth.
FRIENDS OR FOES? Unit at a glance (PDF)

Who would think that insects as small as the bee and ant would play such a pivotal role in the world's ecosystem and the survival of humankind? Bees are the major pollinators of our food crops. There are more than 1500 plant species in Australia that rely on ants for seed dispersal to continue their life cycle.

The Friends or foes? unit is an ideal way to link science with literacy in the classroom. It provides opportunities for students to explore the special relationship between plants and animals, such as bees and ants. Through investigations students study the life cycle of these species as well as the mutually beneficial relationships these species have with one another.
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HOMEWORK IDEAS

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  1. Find a plant in the garden. Draw it and label the root, stem, leaves, flowers, fruit.
  2. Try to collect seeds from different plants in the garden and compare them. Try to plant them in a small paper cup made from damp toilet roll tube and garden soil. Sit the tubes tightly inside a butter container or similar small container with a little water at the bottom. Make sure soil in tubes is moist but NOT too wet. (HINT: depth of planting equals length of seed)
  3. Look for pollen in flowers and try to spot some bees. Bees like BLUE coloured flowers best! Take photographs to show in class.
  4. Eat some fruit and collect the seeds. Dry them on paper towels and then plant them like in 2 above. Discuss with your child the role of fruit in the plants life cycle.
  5. Pick a large flower. Try to identify the male and female parts of the flower. Use the internet to help. Draw and label your flower on an A4 white sheet of paper and show in class.
  6. Draw a plants life cycle using the following words to label the stages: seed, seedling, adult plant, flower, fruit, germination, pollination.

Friends or Foes?
  1. Watch a youtube video on the life of bees and of ants. Discuss what jobs they do that are beneficial.
  2. Cut a tomato in half  showing the seeds. Draw it and label it.
  3. Explore a range of seed dispersal method that you can find in your garden or park.
  4. Use the words pollination and germination correctly in a sentence.