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Week 2 Blog

 This week in lab we were learning about the 8 characteristics of living things. In order for us to help memorize these characteristics we made an anchor chart to help us connect our thoughts by using pictures and simple definitions. The 8 are: living things have cells, living things respond to stimuli, living things maintain homeostasis, living things can reproduce, living things can move, living things grow and change, living things produce energy, and living things inherit genetic information. 


Relating to what we learned about the 8 characteristics of living things, we are conducting an experiment with a bean, water, and a cotton ball. Some characteristics that living organisms are to grow and change, and responded to stimuli. To prepare the bean for this experiment, we are using water to turn the seed into a plant, and a lightbox for heating. This will enable the bean to grow like it would be exposed to the sun.
  


Also, we began discovering dissection since we are starting a seed generation experiment. When learning about seed dissection we were handed a bean that was soaked in water. In order for living things to grow and change, they need water to survive. We cut open the bean, which allowed us to discover all the parts of this object. In the bean, we saw the seed coat, embryo, and cotyledon. 


Today I really enjoyed cutting open the seeds to find the bean parts by myself. In the future, I can imagine myself using a skill like this. With the NGSS standards, it isn't just memorizing parts of the bean, it's experiencing it hands-on and seeing facts and skills for yourself.

A remaining question I have is how is our seed in the plastic cup going to grow with a cotton pad if it needs soil filled with nutrients?

Comments

  1. Ali McDermottJanuary 26, 2023 at 7:38 AM

    Hi Amber! I enjoyed reading your blog post this week especially since we were in the same table group. I really liked our anchor chart and how we organized it. I was also wondering how the seed was going to get the proper nutrients without soil. I am interested to see if we learn more about this next week!

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  2. Julia MikkelsenJanuary 26, 2023 at 6:00 PM

    Hey Amber! I love all your photos and your blog set up! In regards to your question I was also thinking that. My thoughts are the water in the cotton balls are going to make the seeds start to grow, and the incubator they are in will give the seed all its nutrients. I'm not 100% sure though, so it will be interesting to find out! I also do see myself talking about seed germination and the different parts of a seed in my future classroom. I remember doing that as a kid and thinking how fun it was, so I definitely want that joy of growing their own plant for my students.

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  3. Alicea UlrichFebruary 2, 2023 at 2:03 PM

    Hi Amber! This is such a good setup of pictures and your blog post. I liked how you organized the different examples and characteristic's of living things. I had similar questions about how the plants were going to grow with just cotton pads and a cup... but we will see!

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