martes, 6 de diciembre de 2011

Flowers and Plant Reproduction

We have talked about another organ of plants: the flower, which is the reproductive organ of the plant.

The following video shows the flower parts:


On your word document tell what are the parts of a flower and what is their function.

lunes, 21 de noviembre de 2011

Geography: Hurricanes and Tornadoes

We have been talking about hurricanes and tornadoes, and now it is very important that you are able to describe their differences and similarities. Also remember that a tropical depression and a tropical storm are the early stages of a hurricane, the difference is the wind speed. When wind speed reaches 119 kms/hr, it is a hurricane.

Here are some links to watch videos that show how they form and move, and how they look. Pay attention to the differences. A hurricane lasts for several days, it takes longer to cross the affected area. A tornado is faster, it can take only a few minutes, great speed and the consequence is lots of destruction.

Click on the link below and observe both events:


Did you hear about hurricane Isidoro? Here are two videos taken by Geoff Mckley, a National Geographic photographer who dared to get in Progreso at the moment the hurricane hit land, scary!




In your word document write the differences you observed between a hurricane and a tornado.

Then, write about Hurricane Isidoro, describe what you observed in the videos, could you identify any familiar places?




jueves, 17 de noviembre de 2011

Inventors and Inventions Project

For this project you have to choose an invention and find out who the inventor was and any other information you can get. The following video may give you some ideas:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OO7e00IeVI

You will need to answer the following questions:

Invention name:
Who invented it?
When was it invented?
Why do you think this invention is important?
You should also include a time line showing how the invention changed over the years.


You will do a Power Point presentation about your findings. For example:

Invention name: Hot-air balloon
Who invented it?:   Joseph and Jacques Étienne Montgolfier
When was it invented?: In 1783
Why do you think this invention is important? Because it was possible to observe places from above.
Time line: You can do it on color paper and cut out illustrations from magazines or make your own drawings:

1766- Scientist Henry Cavendish - showed that hydrogen was seven times lighter than air and so it was useful for balloon ascents.
1783 - Joseph and Jacques Étienne Montgolfier - experimented with inverted paper and cloth bags filled with heated air.
1783 - Pilâtre de Rozier and the marquis d'Arlandes - made one of the first balloon ascents by human beings.
1783, December. - J.A.C. Charles of France- successfully ascended in a hydrogen-filled balloon and traveled 43 kms. from the starting point.
1784- James Tytler, Scotish writer, made his first journey on a balloon.
1793 - J.P. Blanchard - made an ascent in Philadelphia. etc.

For your research visit the following web pages:
At the link below you will get an idea of which invention to investigate:





Go to the following link where you will find your invention, in alphabetical order, and you will find all the information you need about it:
http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0004637.html
You will find more information at:
http://edtech.kennesaw.edu/web/inventor.html
Watch this video, it has very interesting information. Pay attention as you will need to answer some questions about it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMGLNxgMWIA&feature=related
Answer the following questions in your word document.

1. Who invented the first car? In which year?
2. Who invented the television? when?
3. Who invented the first plane? In which year?
4. In which year the jet engine was invented?
5. Who discovered penicillin? In which year?



viernes, 11 de noviembre de 2011

The Parts of Plants

Here is information you need to read. Then, complete the chart with the job of each plant part.
Lesson 2: What are the parts of plants?
The Roles of Leaves and Stems
Plants are made of many cells. Some
cells make food. Other cells store the food.
Groups of cells that work together are called tissue. Wood is one kind of plant tissue.
Different tissues work together to form
organs. Leaves, stems, and roots are plant organs. Almost all plants have these organs.
All leaves have the same job. They
make food. Leaves come in many shapes and sizes. This makes their job easier. For example, pine trees have thin, pointy needles. This shape keeps the trees from losing too much water. Most plants have flat leaves. This shape helps leaves collect sunlight. The plant uses the sunlight’s energy to make food.
All stems have the same two jobs. They hold up the leaves. This helps them catch sunlight. Stems also carry water, minerals, and food through the plant.
Some stems are soft. You could bend them in your hand. These stems are usually green.
They make food like leaves do. Daisies and tomato plants have soft, green stems. Woody stems are hard and thick. They hold up larger plants. Bark is a layer of dead cells. It protects these plants. Maple trees have hard, woody stems. during photosynthesis.






Plant Part
Job
Leaves

Stems

Roots

Tap roots

The Roles of Roots
Roots have many jobs. One job is to keep
the plant in the ground. They also take in
water and minerals from the soil. One job
roots cannot do is make food. Root cells do
not have chlorophyll in them. But some
roots can store extra food. The plant uses
this food when it cannot make enough

Roots grow away from the stem to find
water and nutrients. A fibrous root system has
roots growing in many directions. This lets the
plant absorb water and minerals from a large
area. Grasses and trees have fibrous roots.
Their roots are long. They are not thick.
Taproots
A large, main root is called a taproot. A
taproot grows straight down. The taproot
stores water and nutrients from the soil. It
grows thicker as it stores food for the plant.
Carrots, turnips, and dandelions have
taproots.
Root hairs grow out from the sides of the
taproot. They take in water and nutrients
from the soil. Root hairs help the plant get
the materials it needs to grow and make
food.
Plants without Roots
Some plants do not have underground
roots. They are called air plants. They
absorb moisture from the air. They take
nutrients from dust in the air. Air plants
use these things to make their own food.
Spanish moss is an air plant. It grows in
many parts of the southern United States.
It hangs from walls, fences, and other
plants.





How do we call plants without roots?  How do they survive?