Date lesson taught: Monday, February 6, 2012
Subject: Science
ALCOS Standard: 2.5
Lesson Objective: Lesson 5 TSW observe and describe the
characteristics of plants in freshwater environments.
Procedures:
 TTW say, “Today we will be looking at 2 plants that live in
freshwater. Freshwater is rivers, streams, ponds, creeks-not
the ocean. They are called Elodea and Cabomba.”
 TTW distribute sheet Observing Freshwater Plants. You
will draw what you see and write a sentence about what you
observed. When you are finished, place this in your science
journal. Distinguish which plant is elodea and which one is
cabomba. Distribute aquariums, paper towels, and hand
lenses. TTW say, “If you pick up the plant to get a closer
look, be sure to hold it over the water so it won’t drip on your
desks.”
 Make a class chart of how freshwater plants are alike and
how they are different. Add to science bulletin board.
 Elodea grows in slow-moving streams, ponds, and
backwaters. Small organisms sometime live in its leaves.
Fish eat this plant. It can grow up to 2 feet long. It can float
freely or take root. Even if you break the plant apart, it can
still grow and make its own roots. The plant produces
oxygen, which you may see as bubbles. It has pointed leaves
arranged around the stem in tight whorls of 3 or more.
Cabomba grows naturally in streams and ponds. It flourishes
in the light. It can float freely or take root. It is longstemmed with small branches of find leaves.
Materials: Observing Freshwater Plants recording sheet (19),
science journals, aquariums, paper towels, hand lenses, chart paper
Assessment: Observations of freshwater plants-did they write a
sentence and draw a picture for each?
Accommodations: If a student does not have time to complete this
activity, they will finish it for morning work on the following day.
Modifications: No students in this class are on IEP.