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As groups plan investigations, help them consider the "steps" they'll
take in terms that help them think through the problem. Some of the
questions to ponder throughout the process are: What do we want to
find out about? How can we make the best observations? What do we already
think we know or have we observed about ____? What is the best way to
answer our questions? What types of data will we need? How can we make
it a "fair" test? What types of observations or measurements should
we take? How can we organize and communicate the data and results to
present the clearest answer or strongest explanation? They
can then mirror what scientists do by presenting their plans to peers,
who give feedback on the experimental setups.
Invite your students to use their eyes and hand lenses to closely observe a variety of flowers in the neighborhood, schoolyard, and garden. They should look at and describe or draw each flower as a whole and then take a closeup view. Have them examine the number and nature of different flower parts (e.g., stamens). Ask individuals or small groups to identify three flowers they think are closely related and use clues (evidence) from their observations to support their choices. Ask, How do your ideas (inferences) compare with those of other students? Which similarities were most dramatic? Once students
have done their own detective work, they can use the Internet, books,
or field guides to check hunches and extend their understanding. (Plant
Families, a book by Carol Lerner, is an excellent resource
for upper elementary students. It is out of print, so check for it
at a local library.) Here are some other family-related activity suggestions:
Imagine the possibilities for practicing teamwork and honing math and art skills as students puzzle out design details. How much space does a bean tepee take up? How closely can we plant lettuce and parsley? What do we have to plant and when should we plant it in order to have great colors throughout the season?
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Pg.
1: Growing Creating
Artistic Edible Design
an Edible Landscape Companion
Resources The
Three Sisters: Native American Gardening  We've
just published this new book filled with actual school garden
plans, stories of how students participated in the design process,
how-to information, and resources. You'll find details in our
Gardening
with Kids Store.
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Flower
structure is the main criterion scientists use for grouping plants
into families. For instance, legumes, such as peas and beans, have
irregular flowers with a top and bottom petal surrounded by wing-like
petals (photo is of sweetpea flower). Cabbage family plants, including
broccoli, kale, mustard, turnips, and radishes, have four flower petals
arranged in a cross shape. Plants in both families have pod-like fruits.
(Other criteria for grouping plants into families include seed and
fruit numbers and types.) Although botanists have named about 300
plant families, a handful of enormous families represent many of our
garden denizens. These include the mint, mustard (cabbage), parsley
(carrot), lily (onion), rose, pea, daisy (aster), and grass families.
The potato family, solanaceae, features such garden favorites
as tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant, as well as highly toxic plants,
such as deadly nightshade. Although the flower structure is usually
telltale, the average size of different plant species in each family
can vary greatly; apple trees, for instance, are in the rose family.
