Plants of the Arctic
Learning Sequence
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Introduction
During this course, we get to learn about how plants adapt to live in the arctic regions and how they use the sun’s energy and the water below the ground to produce their own energy.
The class will watch a video on the process of photosynthesis and try to explain it in their own words. The story is called ‘The Factory Inside the Leaf.’
They will also have a chance to decide what role they are going to have whilst developing their class book on amazing animals. We will be focusing on botany, but also allowing the class to work collectively towards one common goal!
During this course, we are going to discover the wonderful world of plants. Did you know that there is a flower in the Arctic that follows the sun to create a mini sauna where flies can take a break from the cold?
We are going to meet Jocelyn and learn all about how the plants of the Arctic survive and thrive.
We are also going to learn about photosynthesis and ask you to decide which part of the class book on Amazing Animals you are going to complete.
We will all become botanists and if you ever thought that plants were boring and unimportant, think again!!
Weekly Keywords
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Introduce the spelling word list and choose from this list of tasks that can be repeated and expanded upon if necessary.
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Copy the words into a spelling list/vocabulary book for later reference.
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Put each of the new words into a sentence and underline the new vocabulary in red pencil
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Place the words in alphabetical order in a list.
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Use a dictionary to define each of the words and place them into a vocabulary book.
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Try to represent each of the words using a picture or a symbol and play the guessing game. (which image is matched to which word)
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Write a paragraph containing all of the new vocabulary.
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Make a vocabulary wall containing all of the new words.
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Use a thesaurus to find synonyms for the words and create a synonym list.
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These words will help you during this course. You may already know some of these words however practice makes perfect!
First, read the words and then try to define them as simply as possible.
An example has been completed for you. You can write these into your books, and draw a picture to match or simply complete the task card.
Read and Discuss: Warm-Up Activity
During this course, your children will start to understand the resilience of nature. They will realise that no matter how difficult the environment and the climate, nature will always persevere to exist and thrive.
The Arctic is a cold and desolate place, but nature has evolved over millions of years to thrive. We will start to look at the various ways in which nature, especially plants work within the ecosystem to protect their survival.
Ask your children to watch the introduction video and read the information task card and attempt to answer the following questions.
This activity is only a warm up activity and should only be done verbally, if possible.
Listen to the video with Jocelyn and read the following document and try to answer the following questions.
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What is permafrost?
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How do flowers attract flies to help them pollinate?
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Why do Arctic plants need to grow very quickly
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Why are the cliffs always green with grass and moss in the arctic?
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How tall if the Arctic forest?
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How many species of plant are there in the Arctic region?
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Why do plants gather between rocks?
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Why are there no trees in the Arctic region?
What is Photosynthesis? - ‘Watch and Create’
Photosynthesis is one of the most difficult topics to teach. What happens inside a leaf as a leaf creates its own energy is a phenomenon that is almost unbelievable.
Ask the children to watch the following video which explains how photosynthesis works and ask the children to create their very own diagram to explain the process.
We call this story ‘The Factory within the Leaf’.
Plants are also called ‘Producers’ because they have the amazing ability to create their own energy.
They use carbon dioxide, water, sunlight and chlorophyll to create their own energy. This is called photosynthesis, but how does it work?
Watch the video to find out more about how photosynthesis works and once finished, try to draw a diagram describing how photosynthesis happens inside a leaf.
The simple example diagram may help you remember the process more clearly. Be creative and remember, you can always watch the video again to help.
Once you have completed your diagram your job is to teach the process to somebody else. You are now a botanist just like Jocelyn, so make sure that you share your newfound knowledge!
Research Project - A Special Plant
During this activity, we want your children to take inspiration from the pants of the Arctic and start a research project on a local plant in your community.
As plants have been around for millions of years, many of them have hidden secrets or superpowers that we often forget. Allow your class to venture into the playground, take a walk in the forest or set this task as homework.
The children may wish to work in groups or teams but the objective of the activity is to allow the children to have choice and freedom and use research to guide their knowledge.
In this activity, we want you to research a special plant in your local area. As we have learned from Jocelyn, plants are amazing and some are capable of doing unbelievable things.
We want you to get your community excited about plants by finding a local plant that does something unique and tell the community all about it.
For example some plants can talk to each other using underground root and fungal networks. Others eat flies and even disguise themselves as animals and insects to help spread their seeds. Your job is to find a plant in your local area that also does something remarkable.
Use the example poster to help you design your own and once finished, you may wish to use your poster to help other people understand the amazing world of plants.
Ongoing Follow-Up Activities
Extension Activity #1 - Leadership Program
We request that older students over the age of eight buddy up, or partner up, with a younger child in their school, and pass on the knowledge they have gained from this lesson and take it to the younger cohorts within your school and develop their own leadership skills
Please take a look at the very simple and child-friendly lesson plan. This should be read and understood by the students before they prepare their lesson and their learning for a younger child.
The reasoning behind this methodology is to develop leadership, confidence, responsibility and communication skills between the older and younger students within your school. This will bring the cohort closer together and build a sense of community throughout your entire educational establishment.
Charles S. Lauer said ‘Leaders don’t force people to follow—they invite them on a journey.’ It is now time for you to invite a younger child to take a journey with you. A journey of discovery!
We ask you, as an older student, to buddy up with a younger student in your school
We want you to pass on the knowledge you have gained in this course to a younger student whilst developing leadership mentorship and with the responsibility of working with the youngest student in the school.
You may think that this is a task which has no meaning. However, to the younger child in the school, it will have a huge influence on the way that they approach education and the way they feel within school.
You will be a continuous safety net, almost like a big brother or sister to a younger student in the school whilst also developing leadership communication and the confidence to be able to lead into the future.
Use this template to help you plan your lesson and gather your resources before you head down to the younger children’s classroom to reteach what you have just learned.
