Leaf Identification Project

Leaf Identification Project

Hello there fourth graders!

It's FALL and the leaves are just starting to give up on photosynthesis and waft gently to the ground. To  kick off our new unit I thought it would be fun to find and identify some leaves!

Your assignment:
       to find and identify 5 leaves

Due:
       Tuesday, September 29

Format:
  Attach the leaf to white printer paper and write the name of the tree at the top center of the page.
  Staple the pages together at the top left corner.
  Your name should be on the top right hand corner.

Helpful hints:
**Collect two or three of each leaf just in case one rips.
**Make a note as to how the leaves are connected to the branch. (Are the leaves directly across from  each other on the branch or do they alternate?) This will help greatly in identifying the leaf.
**Observe whether your tree has thorns or whether there is milky sap that appears when you pull off a leaf. This can be helpful when identifying trees too.

Here's some websites to get you started.

Institute of Agriculture UT

Arbor Day Foundation

4H Virginia

Happy hunting!

Science 1 Weathering and Erosion activities!

Click on the links below and get a preview of our next area of study!

Bill Nye's Erosion episode.
(Remember to answer your video questions as you watch this! You got those in class. Go to Engrade if you lost them:)

Shape it Up!
Test how well you know weathering and erosion.

Science 1 Natural Resources Activity

To kick off our study of earth's natural resources you will be doing a bit of research on your own. Complete the following activities in your science journal. These are due on Tuesday, January 14th.

Activity 1:
To start this unit, you need begin by finding out what natural resources are!  Go to DHEC's website to and read about natural resources.  Then, in your science journal describe:
          1)  what natural resources are
          2)  examples of natural resources
          3)  the difference between renewable and nonrenewable resources
          4)  what challenges arise from using natural resources
          5)  five examples of products made from natural resources
          6)  why natural resources are important
Each answer recorded in your science journal should be at least three sentences long. Once everyone has read the article and wrote their findings in their science journals, we will discuss the answers as a class!

Activity 2:
Think about the natural resources you use in your own home.  Make a list of all the natural resources you use every day. Decide which of the resources is a nonrenewable resource.  Pick two of the nonrenewable resources you listed.  Think of ways that you could conserve those resources in your every day life.  Draw two pictures in which you either (a) use an alternative source of energy to the nonrenewable resource you currently use or (b) think of a way you can greatly conserve the nonrenewable resource you use every day.  Write your list and draw your pictures in your science journal.  Provide a written description of  your pictures. How can you conserve the natural resources you use in your life.

(Hint: We'll assume that electricity coming from the power company is made by burning coal, oil, or natural gas. However, TVA has many renewable energy sources feeding the energy supply.)