From Seed to Seed:
Plant Science for K-8 Educators

Activity 28: More Than Just Petals

Grades: 5-8

Associated Lesson Topics:

• Flower anatomy
• Pollination
• Reproduction

National Standards (These are linked to a description of individual standards in course):

• SCIENCE: Standard C
• LANGUAGE ARTS: Listening and speaking 11

Planting the Seed...

What do you think of when I say the word "flower"? Other than humans, who is attracted to these brightly colored petals? What is the purpose of a flower? How many different parts of the flower can you name? What purpose do different flower parts serve?

Teacher Information:

Many students have the preconception that flowers are simply the colorful petals that catch our attention. They are unaware that, botanically speaking, the flower-exquisitely designed to ensure pollination-is actually composed of four parts, or whorls. Furthermore, students are often unaware of the important purpose that flowers serve. By dissecting-and then building-a flower, students will become masters of flower anatomy and function. This creates a natural transition into lessons on sexual reproduction and pollination.

Necessary Materials:

• Flowers: alstromeria, amaryllis, gladiolus, lily, lisanthus, morning glory, petunia, salvia, snapdragon, toadflax, or tulip. If you are unable to grow these plants in your classroom or garden, contact a local florist to see if you can buy or receive donations from their throw-away pile. Just make sure that you use plants with complete flowers and parts that are easy to identify.
• Dissecting knives (hatpins work also).
• Construction paper.
• Glue.
• Scissors.
• Beads.
• Markers.
• Pipe cleaners.
• Tape.
• Yarn and string.
  

Procedure:

• Give each student a flower.
• After they have observed and described their flowers, have students dissect them and examine each part while you explain its role. Do all of the flower types that we are examining have the same parts? How do they compare?

Harvesting the Crop...

Students can demonstrate their knowledge of flower anatomy by building a flower. They must include all four whorls (sepals, petals, pistil, and stamen), but can choose the number of parts in each whorl. Have each student name his or her flower and identify its pollinator-or create a fictitious one-based on the flower's characteristics, then present his or her creation to the rest of the class.

Sources

• Dissecting knives
  Carolina Biological Supply www.carolina.com

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