Our Co-op Biology class just launched the Botany unit. Tomorrow we’re doing the Spinach Leaf Chromatography lab and finishing ink (and dyes) paper chromatography. The daffodils are blooming; the kids are doing the Daffodil Dissection tomorrow, too.
What about your family? If you want a formal course for elementary aged students, the Botany textbook and journal from Apologia’s Young Explorers series is amazing. However, many families focus on the basics, particularly with younger children. Science is more enrichment. Guess what? Many elementary school teachers (both in public and private schools) might only do science once a week, on Friday afternoons. You can take the same approach. Finish your core subjects and set aside time Friday afternoons for Science. Plan a trip to the library, too! Browse the stacks for books about plants to get started. What are some fun plant activities?
1. If you can get a stack of magazines, try Parts of the Plants. It’s quite creative. Kids look at magazine photos with plants and determine which plant part and how it might fit in a daily diet.
2. Sprout seeds in a CD case or plastic bag taped to the window. You can try using paper towel, too. Radish seeds sprout quickly! Try Newspaper Seed Starters or recycled materials: metal cans, juice boxes, egg shells, paper tubes, etc.,
3. The Celery Lab uses stalks dyed in food coloring. The student makes cuts and examines the xylem and phloem using a magnifier or microscope. Start by dying the stalks different colors. The ACS has Celery Soaks It Up! This lab times and measures the distance the dye travels up the celery stalk. ACS suggests using a flashlight with the magnifier. If you use the camera on your cell phone, try to turn on the flashlight app, too.
4. Kid’s Gardening has a series of labs under the heading, Plant Needs: Light, Water, Air, Nutrients, Space, Leaves, and Seeds.
5. Kids Gardening has loads of ideas for gardens. Browse the site for inspiration. Grow a pizza garden, an alphabet garden, or a Rainbow garden. Have the family plan the project. Where will the garden be placed? Does the area get enough sun? Which veggies? Should we plant seeds in the shape of each child’s initials? Have a blast! Go ahead and be a little smug! Take loads of photos for your digital portfolio?
I’ve even done a little hydroponics.
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