1. STC Plant Growth and Development Lesson 10: Looking at Flowers Kennewick School District

2. Overview From Day 12 to Day 18, students will be using their bee sticks to cross-pollinate the flowers. This lesson will give students the opportunity to observe the flowers more carefully. This is a hidden slide for teacher information. STC Plant Growth and Development Lesson 10: Looking at Flowers

3. Lesson Objectives  Students observe details of the flower’s anatomy and identify the major parts.  Students learn more about the crucifer family. This is a hidden slide for teacher information. STC Plant Growth and Development Lesson 10: Looking at Flowers

4. Background The rapid-cycling Brassica rapa, which is the scientific name for Wisconsin Fast Plants, belongs to a large family of plants called the Cruciferae. They are so named because the four flower petals are always arranged in the shape of a crucifix, or cross. Figure 10-1 (pg. 63) shows the Brassica flower. This same petal arrangement is shared by all members of this family of plants. A sampling of plants in the crucifer family is shown in Figure 10-2 on page 64. This is a hidden slide for teacher information. STC Plant Growth and Development Lesson 10: Looking at Flowers

5. Materials list For each student:  Student notebook  1 flowering plant For every two students:  1 hand lens STC Plant Growth and Development Lesson 10: Looking at Flowers

6. Observe your plants with a hand lens. If your plant is not flowering yet, share a flowering plant with another student. STC Plant Growth and Development Lesson 10: Looking at Flowers

7.  Four petals—yellow and rounded  Six anthers—two short and four tall  Yellow pollen  Pistil—in the center  Stigma—sticky top of the pistil Use your hand lens to see the following parts of the Brassica flower: STC Plant Growth and Development Lesson 10: Looking at Flowers

8. Record your observations of the flower in your notebook (right-hand side). Draw the flower and label the parts. STC Plant Growth and Development Lesson 10: Looking at Flowers

9. We will continue to observe the flowers closely over the next week. You will notice the following changes:  Petals will fade and fall.  After pollination, the pistil will enlarge and become the seed pod. STC Plant Growth and Development Lesson 10: Looking at Flowers

10. Reading Selection: The Crucifer Family STC Plant Growth and Development Lesson 10: Looking at Flowers

11. Crucifers We Eat  Cabbage  Turnip  Collard  Watercress  Kohlrabi  Choy sum  Cauliflower  Broccoli  Rutabaga The crucifers are an important food crop in many parts of the world. Which ones have you tasted?  Radish  Kale  Horseradish  Pak choi (Chinese mustard)  Brussels sprouts  Mustard greens STC Plant Growth and Development Lesson 10: Looking at Flowers

12. Some crucifer seeds are crushed for their oil. Others, like turnips, kale and rutabagas, are good for sheep and cattle as well as for people. Still others, like alyssum and candytuft, are known for their beautiful flowers. There is even a branch of “bad guys” in the family, some pesky weeds! STC Plant Growth and Development Lesson 10: Looking at Flowers

13. Which crucifers have you tasted? STC Plant Growth and Development Lesson 10: Looking at Flowers

14. Be sure to watch your plants closely for changes in the flowers over the next week. STC Plant Growth and Development Lesson 10: Looking at Flowers

15. Update your Table of Contents STC Plant Growth and Development Lesson 10: Looking at Flowers

16. anther The part of the stamen that produces pollen. Add this vocabulary word and its meaning to your glossary. STC Plant Growth and Development Lesson 10: Looking at Flowers

17. petal A brightly colored part of a flower. Add this vocabulary word and its meaning to your glossary. STC Plant Growth and Development Lesson 10: Looking at Flowers

18. pistil The female part of the flower that consists of the stigma, style, and ovary. Add this vocabulary word and its meaning to your glossary. STC Plant Growth and Development Lesson 10: Looking at Flowers

19. pollen A fine, usually yellow, dust that is produced in the anther and is used to fertilize the seeds of the plant. Add this vocabulary word and its meaning to your glossary. STC Plant Growth and Development Lesson 10: Looking at Flowers

20. stamen The male part of a flower that consists of the anther and filament. Add this vocabulary word and its meaning to your glossary. STC Plant Growth and Development Lesson 10: Looking at Flowers

21. stigma The sticky tip of a flower pistil on which pollen is deposited. Add this vocabulary word and its meaning to your glossary. STC Plant Growth and Development Lesson 10: Looking at Flowers