Plants Helping Animals, Animals Helping Plants

Grade 3

Strand – Understanding Life Systems

Topic – Growth and Changes in Plants

(Based on Addison-Wesley, Animals and Plants)

Expectation

Students will describe ways in which plants and animals depend on each other (3, 3.6)

Required Materials

- pinecone, bird’s nest, mushroom, wasps’ nest, fox skull, a log with damage from ants

Procedure

1. Introduce the topic and theme, mention science classes do not always require

experiments.

“Today, I am going to demonstrate an alternative way to present a science lesson”

2. Asked the class to cover their heads and think about a place undisturbed by humans.

“It could be a wetland, a forest, or a field. Now think of one item that you may find there,

something you would like to bring back to the class”

3. Pass around the six items in the box to the six groups.

“Now look on your desk, look what you brought back to the classroom!”

4. “This lesson will help you understand how plants and animals need each other. In your

groups, think about the item you brought back from the forest, and how plants help

animals or animals that help plants.”

Give the class two minutes.

5. Go around to each group and discuss the item, keeping in mind animals need food,

water, shelter, air, space.

6. Item Role in nature

Pinecone Squirrels use them for food

Swallow’s nest Built from dead grass, leaves, and twigs to raise young

Log with damage caused by ants Killed the entire tree for food and to make their home

Fox skull Decaying corps – nutrients cycled into the forest

Mushroom Breaks down a dying tree, provides home for insects

Paper wasp’s nest Uses bark and leaves, build their home mostly in trees

Explanation of the science concept

Plants and animals rely on each other. Animals use plants to make shelter by building using

parts of plants such as twigs, bark and grasses; burrowing into trees (that eventually kills the

tree); or hide from predators. Some animals also use some or all parts of plants as food. In some

cases, animals get their water stored in plants. In a larger scale, plants provide breathable air.

Many animals live in large tracts forests, providing wild spaces to roam freely.

Plants need animals to assist in seed dispersal, weed out older trees such that young saplings

have a chance to grow, or decompose dead material to be returned into fertile soils. A beaver

that takes down a few trees opens up the forest to sunlight in which plants on the forest floor

need. A wolf who predated on the beaver keeps the population in check such that the beaver

population does not deplete the forest.

Summary

This activity was used to illustrate the importance of hands-on experiences gained from a short

field trip, where students brought back something from the forest to study. Ecology benefits

students who are naturalistic learners (Gardner’s multiple intelligences). From my teaching

experiences, “treasures” creates curiosity and lesson engagement. Science lessons do not always

need flash-bang experiments as it is unrealistic to replicate nature in 15 minutes.

Problems

- Allergies to certain plants, nuts, fungi, animal dander, pollen

- Too gross or freaked out

- Teacher have limited field knowledge, however teacher may talk something else about

the item, rather than identifying. (Example, nutrient cycling as oppose to the mushroom)

- Safety!

Lesson Extensions

- Biological diversity

- Circle of life

- Pollution, Environment Studies

- Habitat and survival

- Symbiotic relationships

References

Addison-Wesley (2006). Science & Technology – Plant Growth. Teacher’s edition.

Pearson Education Canada. ISBN-13: 9780201654240

Presented by: Teddy Dong