Lesson Plan – Cream of the Crop
This lesson plan will have students read "Cream of the Crop" and answer the questions associated with it. After, they will complete a hands-on fact-based activity demonstrating the importance and role roots play in ecosystems, especially native prairies.
Materials:
- A copy of "Cream of the Crop"
- Writing utensil
- Paper for notes
- Materials for FACTivity (see FACTivity: Cream of the Crop)
Part Of
Cream of the Crop: Assessing the Environmental Benefits of Prairie Strips
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The research in this monograph looks at the use of prairie strips, which are strips of native prairie plants that are planted between sections of agricultural crops. Scientists wanted to...Cream of the Crop: Assessing the Environmental Benefits of Prairie Strips
The research in this monograph looks at the use of prairie strips, which are strips of native prairie plants that are planted between sections of agricultural crops. Scientists wanted to...
Standards addressed in this Lesson Plan:
Next Generation Science Standards
The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) are a set of K-12 science education standards emphasizing inquiry-based learning, real-world applications, and integrating engineering practices, aiming to deepen understanding of science while promoting critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- MS-ETS1-3Analyze data from tests to determine similarities and differences among several design solutions to identify the best characteristics of each that can be combined into a new solution to better meet the criteria for success.
- MS-ETS1-4Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process such that an optimal design can be achieved.
- MS-LS1-5Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how environmental and genetic factors influence the growth of organisms.
- MS-LS2-3Develop a model to describe the cycling of matter and flow of energy among living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem.
- MS-LS2-4Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations.