PLANT AND ANIMAL STRUCTURES
Lesson Plan
Tule Ponds at Tyson Lagoon

if you want to go over Tule Ponds with a booklet please download the following booklet.
pdf

OBJECTIVES:

1.  Students will look at an aquatic plant  (tule or cattail).
2.  Student will look at a land plant (cottonwood, willow, oak).
3.  Students will look at environments where birds, amphibians, reptiles, and other organisms live at Tule Ponds at Tyson Lagoon.
4.  Students will look at living requirements at Tule Ponds at Tyson Lagoon.

VOCABULARY:

      ·        amphibian –  a cold blooded animal with backbone, that lays eggs in water, has complex life cycle, and have slimy skin air is absorbed
·        aquatic  environment – living in the water
·       aquatic plants – plants that live in water with reduced leaves and roots
·       birds – a warm blooded animal with a backbone, that lays shelled eggs, with feathers
·        food -  something to eat
·       land plant - has roots, leaves, and stems
·       mammals -  a warm blooded animal with a backbone, that has a live birth
·        plankton – small organisms that float in the water
·       reptiles –  a cold blooded animal with backbone, that has shelled eggs, and has scales on their skin
·       soil – is living matter and rocks mixed on the surface on the earth
·                water – a liquid that flows composed of hydrogen and oxygen

BACKGROUND:

There are many different places on Earth where organisms can live. These areas can be called an organism’s environment. There are mountains, valleys, trees, snow, and water environments, as well as hot and cold climate environments. Different types of organisms can live in similar environments. Animals, plants, and other organisms are adapted for living in certain areas of the world. For examples, whales have blubber so they can withstand cold temperatures and other mammals grow fur, which protects them from the cold.

Different organisms have physical limits that make them more adapted to an environment. Birds fly so they have hollow bones and feathers, which help them to fly. Large animals need support to walk so they have backbones and legs. It seems that all organisms have a place in this world and are adapted to fit into their own special place. Imagine a whale having legs or an animal having roots, this just doesn't happen.

There are two very different environments on this Earth, land and water. The organisms that live in these environments have very similar requirements but may respond to them differently. Organisms that live on land need to develop a way to combat gravity. They need legs or wings if they want to move. A tree develops a way to get water to move upwards (against gravity). Organisms in water use water to support their body so they tend to be more hydro-dynamically designed.

PROCEDURE:

1.  Discuss with students that there are many environments at Tule Ponds at Tyson Lagoon that change with the seasons.  The two main environments are fresh water and land. 

2.  Students should color the large water body called Tyson Lagoon, which is a permanent lake, and the 3 Tule Ponds that dry up during hot times.

3.  Let students look at the picture and go over what environments they see and what organisms live in them.  Water plants do not look like plants on land.  They usually have smaller roots because they don’t have to look for water.  Their leaves are different than land plants because they don’t have to worry about controlling water like land plants.  Land plants have roots and have leaves.  This helps control the movement of water.

4.  The organisms at Tule Ponds at Tyson Lagoon require food and water.  Plants get food from soil and the Sun, while organisms require food from plants, other animals (including insects), and water.

5.  Go over the different types of organisms that live at Tule Ponds at Tyson Lagoon mentioned in the booklet.   Go over the main characteristics of each group and note whether they live on land or in the water.

6.  Take students on a walk and have them observe plants and animals that you may observe. Different things you may want to use: may include hand lenses or binoculars to guide children’s observations. 

FOR MORE LESSONS:

http://msnucleus.org/membership/html/k-6/lc/ntenvn/k/lcnek_1a.html

http://msnucleus.org/membership/html/k-6/lc/ntenvn/k/lcnek_2a.html

http://msnucleus.org/membership/html/k-6/lc/ntenvn/1/lcne1_1a.html

http://msnucleus.org/membership/html/k-6/lc/ntenvn/1/lcne1_2a.html

http://msnucleus.org/membership/html/k-6/lc/ntenvn/1/lcne1_6a.html