Plants

Academic Content Standards – Ohio – 4th grade – Life Science

Compare the life cycles of different plants including germination, maturity, reproduction and death. Relate plant structures to their specific functions (e.g., growth, survival and reproduction). Classify common plants according to their characteristics (e.g., tree leaves, flowers, seeds, roots and stems).

Subject Headings/Keywords

Botany - Classification, Growth (Plants), Plants – Growth,  Plants - Identification, Plants – Juvenile literature,  Plant Structures, Plant life cycles  

Dewey Decimal/Call Number – 571.82, 580, 581, 582, 582.13,  586, 635.965, 635.986

Resources – Books

571.82 Orme, Helen. Why do plants grow in spring? Milwaukee, WI: Gareth Stevens Pub., 2004. Explains, in simple text and illustrations, the growth and development of plants, including how animals spread seeds, why flowers are important, and what happens to plants in winter.

580     Bocknek, Jonathan. The science of plants. Milwaukee, WI: Gareth Stevens Pub., 1999. Provides information on a variety of plants, discussing life cycles,    habitats, their use as food, plant parts, seeds, cones, flowers, fruit, and the chemicals and fiber they can provide. Includes activities such as drawing, answering questions, and planting seeds.

580     Dixon,   Malcolm.  Plants around us. Mankato, Minn.: Smart Apple Media, 1999. Describes different kinds of plants, the function of their leaves and   roots, and how they grow. Includes related activities.

580     Greenaway, Theresa. The plant kingdom : a guide to plant classification and biodiversity. Austin, Tex.: Raintree Steck-Vaughn Publishers, 2000. Explains what life forms make up the plant kingdom, what characteristics they have in common, and how they are unique.

580    Greenaway, Theresa.  Plant life. Austin, TX: Raintree Steck-Vaughn, 2001. Explains the growth and reproduction of plants, how dead plant matter is   recycled, and how human actions affect plant life.

580     Kalman, Bobbie. What is a plant?  New York: Crabtree Pub. Co.,2000. Presents an introduction to plants, in simple text with illustrations, including      information on their structure--seeds, stems, leaves--the different species of as carnivorous and parasitic plants, and concepts such as single cells,    germination, and photosynthesis. Includes a glossary and activities.

580     Legg, Gerald.  The world of plant life. Milwaukee, WI: Gareth Stevens Pub.,  2002. Introduces characteristics of plant life including photosynthesis,  reproduction, and respiration, along with specialized habitats, including deserts, mountains, under water, and attached to host plants.

580     McEvoy, Paul. Plants. Philadelphia,: Chelsea Clubhouse, 2003, c2002. A   color-photo-filled overview of plants that describes their parts, types,   habitats, varied uses, and production of oxygen.

580     Pascoe, Elaine. Plants with seeds. New York : PowerKids Press, 2003. Details the life cycles and characteristics of plants that use seeds to reproduce.

580     Riley, Peter. Plant life. New York: F. Watts, 1999, c1998. Introduces basic scientific principles of botany and plant physiology and presents experiments to show how they work.

580     Star, Fleur. Plants. New York, N.Y.: DK Pub., 2005. Studies a number of plants and forests around the world and examines how and where they grow, how photosynthesis works, pollination, how certain species of birds and    animals help flowers and trees grow, and the various ways in which man uses them.

580     Stewart, Melissa. Plants. Minneapolis, Minn.: Compass Point Books, 2003. Briefly describes plant structures, photosynthesis, and life cycles and   discusses the importance of plants to animals and humans.

580    Taylor, Helen.  Plants feed on sunlight: and other facts about things that grow. Brookfield, Conn.: Copper Beech Books, 1998. Discusses plants, what they need to grow, how and where they grow, and the many ways people use them. Includes simple projects.

580       Tocci, Salvatore.  Experiments with plants. New York : Children's Press, 2001.    Presents instructions for nine experiments and explains the lessons they teach about plants, including the process of photosynthesis, the way they grow, and their absorption of water.

581     Meucci, Antonella. Plants. Milwaukee, Wis.: Gareth Stevens Pub., 2002. Discusses various types of plants, their habitats,        ecosystems, and more.

582     Hunter, Rebecca. The facts about flowering plants.  London : Watts, 2003. Presents facts about flowering plants including seed development, photosynthesis, stems and roots, leaves, and pollination.

582.13 Oxlade, Chris. Flowering Plants. New York : Children's Press, 1998. Describes the parts, pollination, birth, and photosynthesis of flowering plants.

586     Pascoe, Elaine.  Plants without seeds. New York : PowerKids Press, 2003. Anintroduction to the life cycles and characteristics of bryophytes, or plants without seeds, such as mosses and ferns.

635.965 Ayers, Patricia. A kid's guide to how plants grow. New York: PowerKids Press, 2000. Briefly describes how different kinds of plants grow and     reproduce, as well as their importance to life on Earth.

635.986 Scrace, Carolyn. Growing things. New York: Franklin Watts, 2002. Time- lapse illustrations, a split-page format, and simple text teach young readers about the cycle of life.

Resources – Children Teacher Parent Books 

581    Shevick, Edward. Plant science: learning about plant life. Carthage, IL:Teaching & Learning Co., 2000.  Hands-on science activities ready for student use.

Resources – Videos

580 P714  Plant/ a BBC Scienceworld production for BBC Worldwide Americas, Dorling Kindersley Vision in association with Oregon Public Broadcasting. [New York, NY?] : DK Vision: BBC Worldwide Americas, 1997. A colorful tour of the world's most dazzling flora-- from the most magical to the most bizzare. Watch buds burst, flowers bloom, and discover the myriad ways plants struggle to survive.  VHS

DVD    Plants [videorecording] / Disney; Seattle ; Rabbit Ears Productions ; directed by Disney Educational Productions, 2005.  Bill Nye the Science Guy explains how plants breathe, make food, defend themselves, and move their seeds around.

Resources – Websites

The Great Plant Escape

http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/gpe/index.html

An elementary program for 4th and 5th grade students, designed to introduce students to plant science and increase their understanding of how foods grow.

Plants and Our Environment

http://library.thinkquest.org/3715/index.html

A website where you will learn about how plants grow and the different parts of a plant.

Eco-tree Home Page

http://www.botany.uwc.ac.za/ecotree/index.htm

Learn about the ecology and functioning  of the leaves, truck and roots.

Exploring the Secret Life of Trees

http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/trees2/

Exploring the Secret Life of Trees is designed to help 3rd – 5th grade students gain an appreciation of trees, observe trees in their everyday lives, and develop an interest in discovering more about trees

Biology4Kids.com: Plants

http://www.biology4kids.com/files/plants_main.html

Learn what makes a plant, how photosynthesis works, basic structures and much more.