CONVERSEMOS:
¿Qué partes de tu cuerpo trabajan juntas como partes de un sistema?
¿Cómo te ayuda ese sistema a sobrevivir?
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
CONVERSEMOS:
¿Qué partes de tu cuerpo trabajan juntas como partes de un sistema?
¿Cómo te ayuda ese sistema a sobrevivir?
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
In this lesson, students make observations of external and internal parts of trees in order to collect evidence that these structures work together as a system to help plants survive in a particular environment. In the activity, Tree Detective, students use models of roots and branches to explore their functions and then construct an argument about how these structures must work together in order to support the survival of trees in the unique environment of the frozen taiga.
Preview activity| Anchortown Info worksheet | 1 per student |
| Evidence (Roots & Branches) worksheet | 1 per student |
| Solve The Puzzle worksheet | 1 per student |
| Tree Detective Answer Key worksheet | 1 per class |
| Tree Roots worksheet | 1 per student |
|
Colored Pencils
We use red and blue in the activity, but any two colors will work.
Crayons will also work.
|
Details
2 pencils per student
|
|
Hardcover Books
Books must be heavy enough to keep a pipe cleaner and coffee stirrer hanging halfway off a table.
|
Details
1 book per pair
|
|
Coffee Stirrers
|
1 stirrer per pair |
|
Paper Clips
|
20 paper clips per pair |
|
Pipe Cleaners
Pipe cleaner must be new because students will observe how it bends during the activity.
|
Details
1 pipe cleaner per pair
|
We suggest students work in pairs. Homeschool students can work on their own.
Materials for this activity are needed at three different steps, so we suggest organizing them beforehand for easier distribution.
The Tree Roots and Evidence (Roots & Branches) worksheets are distributed in Step 2.
Student slideshow: English | Spanish
Teacher printout: English & Spanish
In this reading, students learn how scientists figured out why a sea otter in California was stealing people's surfboards by considering the sea otters senses, memories, and instincts.
For a limited time, view archived reading extensions here.
You can elaborate student learning and engagement with Mystery Science mini-lessons.
How do flowers bloom in the spring? In this mini-lesson students discover how water that is absorbed through a plant's roots are also interconnected to the plant's flowers.
Do any plants eat animals? In this mini-lesson, students explore the structures of carnivorous plants that enable them to catch and digest insects and other animals.
If you are in an NGSS state, these mini-lessons support the DCI LS1.A: Structure and Function
Thanks for your feedback! If you have a question or need help, please contact us. Please consider sharing your review:
Sorry the lesson didn’t go well. We read every single review in an effort to improve our Mysteries.
Thanks for letting us know. We’ll wait to ask you for feedback until after you've actually taught it.
Thanks for the feedback! We read every single review in an effort to improve our Mysteries.
Please follow these steps:
Locked
6:10
Why is the sky blue?
Locked
4:41
Why do we call them doughnuts?
Locked
5:16
Could a turtle live outside its shell?
Your membership is expired. The archive of past Mini Lessons is not included in your limited access.
View pricing