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Schoolhouse

{REVIEW} The Good and the Beautiful Science: Botany

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A mighty wind blew night and day
It stole the Oak Tree's leaves away,
Then snapped its boughs and pulled its bark
Until the Oak was tired and stark.

But still the Oak Tree held its ground
While other trees fell all around.
The weary wind gave up and spoke,
"How can you still be standing, Oak?"

The Oak Tree said, "I know that you
Can break each branch of mine in two,
Carry every leaf away,
Shake my limbs and make me sway.

But I have roots stretched in the earth,
Growing stronger since my birth. 
You'll never touch them, for you see
They are the deepest part of me.

Until today, I wasn't sure
Of just how much I could endure.
But now I've found, with thanks to you,
I'm stronger than I ever knew." 

By Johnny Ray Ryder Jr

Botany was our fourth science unit of the year and it was lovely. It was wonderful to do it during the spring and it was also just really perfect doing it with all that has happened. With all of the stress of the pandemic and the others stressors of the world, it was wonderful to just love on nature and all of its beauty and power to heal.

It’s been another wonderful learning opportunity from The Good and the Beautiful.

Topics

  • What is Botany?
  • The Life Cycle of a Plant
  • Parts of a Plant
  • Seeds
  • Flowers (Two Lessons)
  • Leaves
  • Photosynthesis
  • Plant Cells
  • Plant Classification
  • Growing Plants
  • Trees
  • Poisonous and Carnivorous Plants

Vocabulary & Science Wall

Here are the vocabulary terms learned in this unit:

  • Botany
  • Germination
  • Cotyledon
  • Gymnosperm
  • Angiosperm
  • Pollination
  • Dormancy
  • Chlorophyll
  • Deciduous
  • Evergreen
  • Photosynthesis
  • Cell
  • Eukaryotic
  • Multicellular
  • Vascular
  • Xylem
  • Phloem
  • Non-Vascular
  • Gravitropism
  • Phototropism
  • Sap
  • Resin

Supplies

There is a quite a bit of supplies needed for this unit. Because of COVID, there were some things that just didn’t happen because we didn’t have what we needed and we didn’t want to go out more than we had to.

One thing to note, is that you do need a high-quality microscope for use in several of the lessons. We purchased one last summer and have used it LOADS this year. It had been a great addition to our school equipment.

Science Journal

As with all science units, each kiddo needs to have their own science journal. This can be as simple as a notebook or binder where they can keep all of their papers, as well as blank pieces of paper, all in one place.

For our family, I prepare a notebook at the beginning of the year for ALL of our science units.

Read Alouds

There are a number of suggested read alouds for this unit – and we LOVED them. These add a depth to our learning and I love that. These are the ones we used:

Length of Unit

This unit took us about seven weeks to complete.

Bible Plant Studies

There is also included an optional Bible Plant Study. There are several different ways outlined for you – OR – you can use it however you want! There is a list of several different plants listed in the Bible with accompanying references.

Adopt a Tree

We did not do this – but I think it is a fabulous idea! Have your children find a tree and adopt it over the course of a year. Come up with a schedule to visit your tree (or BONUS if you have one in your yard) and observe the changes that it goes through.

Plant Experiment

This unit encourages children to plant, grow, and care for their own plants. This is a great lesson in responsibility (or at least it was in our house!) and there is something wonderful about observing plants grow.

Consider the Season

This unit could probably be done in any season but I think it would be a lot easier to do during more moderate temperatures. We did it in the spring (it just seemed fitting!) but I also think it would go very well in the fall – especially with the lessons about leaves and trees.

Field Trip – NURSERY!

We were able to wrap up our unit by going to our local nursery. We are putting in our yard this year and so it has been great to have this unit alongside making decisions about plants and flowers and trees that we want to have surrounding our home. The kids LOVED it!

Our Favorite Activities

There were many really great activities in this unit. Here were some of our favorites:

Plant Observation

We planted some green bean seeds both in our window AND in cups! This was a great activity because as time went on we saw how sun and water influence growth.

Plant Life Cycle

After we discussed the life cycle of a plant – Jacob created his own life cycle in his science journal.

Microscope Activities

Jacob loves using the microscope. We were able to view several things throughout the unit, but I think observing the stamen, petals, and pollen were a highlight.

Flower Pressing

I can’t wait to try this one again – because all I can tell you is how NOT to do it! We really wanted this activity to work but it was completely our fault that it didn’t. Our stems were WAY too thick and it just did not work correctly. Next time…delicate flowers.

But don’t worry – we still had fun trying!

Time in Nature

Due to everything that has happened this spring – spending time outside felt even more precious. I loved that this unit pushed us out even more and filled us all with a desire to notice and appreciate the plants and growth that happens where we live.

Final Thoughts

This unit was beautiful. There is something special about plants and growth and observing that rebirth. It just fills your spirit and this was a beautiful unit of learning to accompanying those feelings.

Jacob and I are itching to plant a garden but I don’t think it will happen this year. We hope to have everything prepared for next year though!

Here are the other science units we have done and really enjoyed:

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