Leaf science: how to find the hidden colours Rationale:
To understand how leaves change colour and why they are green. This is aimed at moving Billy from pre-theoretical knowledge to sound scientific understanding of chlorophyll while understanding the world around him, in a visual way.
Materials:
Clear jars
Coffee filter paper
Pencils
Rubbing alcohol
A range of leaves, including autumn colours
10 sandwich bags
Labels
Gardening gloves
Rolling pin Curriculum Link:
NSW Science and technology syllabus
- A student describes external features, changes in and growth of living things ST1-10LW
Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards NSW [BOSTES], 2015).
Australian curriculum:
- Science / Year 1 / Science Understanding …show more content…
How about this leaf? (Holding up a different coloured leaf). Do not comment on the responses, just read “Why leaves change colour by Betsy Maestro”. When done engage in a group discussion centred around the question “Why do leaves change colour?”
Method:
• Cut leaves into small pieces and place in a clear jar
• Pour in just enough rubbing alcohol to cover the bottom of the jar
• Mash the leaves up in the alcohol with a wooden spoon or tip of a rolling pin.
• Leave it sit for 30 minutes. Placing it in hot water to speed up the process.
• Drain out the leaves leaving the coloured water.
• Cut filters into strips slightly longer than the jar itself and place in the jar
• Leave it for about an hour and watch as the colour pigments in the leaf separate to reveal the hidden colours
Integrated Experiences:
Health: Discuss what the digestive system does and how it is similar to the photosynthesis process
Creative Arts: Have children add pressed flowers and leaf rubbings to their …show more content…
(Adapted from Lee, 2013; CISE, n.d.)
Experience 4:
Busy bees: Pollination Rationale:
Billy’s preconception of “nectar keeping flowers alive” and that bees visit flowers, will be extended by this activity.
Materials:
Flower cut outs
Cup cake holders
Assortment of coloured glitter
Glue
Cotton balls
Bumble bee cut out
Paddle pop sticks
Curriculum Link:
NSW Science and technology syllabus
- A student describes external features, changes in and growth of living things ST1-10LW
Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards NSW [BOSTES], 2015).
Australian curriculum:
- Science / Year 1 / Science Inquiry Skills / Processing and analysing data and information / ACSIS212: Through discussion, compare observations with predictions
- Science / Year 1 / Science Inquiry Skills / Communicating / ACSIS029: Represent and communicate observations and ideas in a variety of ways such as oral and written language, drawing and role play
(ACARA, 2015)
Vocabulary:
Pollination
Nectar
Germinate
Flower
Insects
Pollen
Life cycle
Science concepts:
• Plants have different parts each with special functions
• Pollination
•