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How did a tree travel halfway around the world?
Plant Adventures Unit | Lesson 1 of 4

How did a tree travel halfway around the world?

Plant Adventures Unit | Lesson 1 of 4
Lesson narration:
Scroll for prep
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Discuss:
How could the same kind of tree grow in only two places, thousands of
miles apart?
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Discuss:
How could a koa seed travel all the way from Hawaii to Réunion?
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Discuss:
How will the structure around these seeds change how they travel
through the air?
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Step
01/18
You’ll work with a partner.
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Get your supplies.
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03/18
Write your name on the back of your maple model. Then fold dot A to
dot B. When you’re done, the gray triangle should be covered.
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Fold the triangle up so that it covers the picture of a seed.
Slide your paper clip on the bottom of your seed.
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Cut along the dotted line. Stop at the stop sign. When you’re done,
this part of your maple model should have two flaps.
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Fold flap 1 on the line toward you. Fold flap 2 on the line away from
you. Push your folded flaps up with your fingers so they stick out
sideways.
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When your teacher tells you, stand up next to your desk. Pretend to
be a tree. Root your feet to the ground, stand up tall, and stretch
your arms up.
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Hold your maple model from the side with two fingers. Hold it high
above your head. Drop your model and observe how it falls. Repeat.
You have 3 minutes to test.
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Discuss:
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Write your name on the back of your rain tree model. Cut along the 2
dotted black lines. Stop at the stop sign. When you’re done, you’ll
have two slits.
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Hold the two ends of your printout and make a “U.”
Slide the slit at one end into the slit at the other.
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Pretend to be a tree! Hold your rain tree model in the middle with the
ends pointing sideways. Hold it above your head, drop it, and observe
how it falls.
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13/18
Work with your partner to explore how both of your models fall.
Compare what is the same and what is different.
You have 3 minutes to test.
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14/18
Discuss:
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Write your name on the back of your koa model.
Fold it in half along the black line.
Run your fingernail along the fold to crease it.
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Hold your koa model with two fingers at one end. Hold your model
above your head, drop it, and observe how it falls. Repeat.
You have 3 minutes to test.
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Discuss:
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Discuss:
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Do you think the wind could carry a koa seed halfway across the world?
Why or why not?
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Discuss:
What could help a cherry seed move from one place to another?
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What kind of animal could carry a koa seed across the ocean to the other
side of the world?
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# Extensions

Below are ideas for extending this topic beyond the activity & exploration which you just completed.

  • Online videos: These videos show some of the spectacular ways that seeds travel.
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Lesson narration:

Grade 2

Plant Adaptations

Seed Dispersal

2-LS2-2, K-2-ETS1-2, K-2-ETS1-3

Activity Prep

Print Prep

THIS LESSON WAS REVISED ON FEB 1, 2023. Here is a link to the previous version.
In this lesson, students investigate the mystery of the koa tree, a type of tree that grows in only two places—islands halfway across the world from one another. In the activity, students develop three different physical models of seed structures. They observe how structure affects the seed’s function in dispersing away from the tree. Then, they use these observations to evaluate whether koa seeds are likely dispersed by wind, water, or animals.

Preview activity
COVID-19 Adaptations
Teacher demo recommended
Students need a printout

Exploration

10 mins

Wrap-Up

15 mins

Grade 2

Plant Adaptations

Seed Dispersal

2-LS2-2, K-2-ETS1-2, K-2-ETS1-3

Slow internet or video problems?