Plant Prezi Project
7th Grade Science
Standards in California require students to gain a general understanding of
plant structure and function. Springtime
is a great time to teach a 7th Grade unit on plants because plants
are awakening from their winter slumber and blossoms are popping out all over.
Yet in spring, students get fidgety and yearn for Spring Break. To keep their attention focused on academic
pursuits during this time of the year, I am going to offer my students a
technology infused opportunity for creativity while introducing my students to the
world of plants. The online Web 2.0 tool
Prezi will engage students as they seek to explain a plant related topic to
their peers through pictorial animated presentations. Prezi as a presentation tool will work well
for this project because it’s zooming feature will allow students to dive into
cellular structures, flower parts or stages of plant lifecycles.
Students will work in groups of three
and choose from the following topics:
(Note: All page numbers represent
pages in: Holt Life Science. Orlando, FL: Holt,
Rinehart and Winston, 2007. Print.)
1.
Plant Characteristics (p. 360)
2.
Plant Classification (p. 362)
3.
Examples and importance of
Nonvascular Plants (p. 364)
4.
Moss Life Cycle (p. 364)
5.
Examples and importance of Seedless
Vascular Plants (p. 367)
6.
Fern Life Cycle (p. 366)
7.
Seed Structure (p. 369)
8.
Examples of Gymnosperms (p. 370)
9.
Life Cycle of a Pine Tree (p. 371)
10.
Structures of Seed Plants (p. 374 –
378)
11.
Flower Structures (p. 379 – 380)
With groups of three students
working together and 11 topics, one class of 33 students can cover the entire
Chapter 12 – Introduction to Plants without any repeat projects.
I would begin this unit by encouraging students' interest in plants through showing an excellent example of a Plant Prezi Project available on YouTube:
Students would begin working on their own projects by creating a concept map of the main ideas required to fully explain their topic using the assigned textbook. Concept maps, which I would call “Prezi Project Proposals” can be digitized through the use of the website www.bubbl.us and then reviewed by the teacher for editing and suggestions. I would provide a one class period overview and tutorial on how to create a Prezi. Groups with approved “Prezi Project Proposals can then begin their creative work.
During student presentations,
audience members would be required to evaluate the Plant Prezi Project in
writing by noting two things the presenters did well and making one suggestion
for improvement. The Plant Prezi itself
will be graded based on a presentation rubric created with www.rubistar.4teachers.org/
The project will address the following California State Standards
for Grade Seven:
7.1.b Students know
the characteristics that distinguish plant cells from animal cells, including
chloroplasts and cell walls.
7.1.d. Students know
that mitochondria liberate energy for the work that cells do and that
chloroplasts capture sunlight energy for photosynthesis.
7.2.a Students know
the differences between the life cycles and reproduction methods of sexual and
asexual organisms.
7.5.f. Students know
the structures and processes by which flowering plants generate pollen, ovules,
seeds, and fruit.
The Plant Prezi Project will do more than
teach California Science content.
Project-based learning such as this "teaches students 21st Century skills as well as content," according to www.PBL-Online.org. 21st Century skills are needed for students to become college and career ready. The Buck Institute for Education, which created PBL-Online suggests that 21st Century skills "include communication and presentation skills, organization and time management skills, research and inquiry skills, self-assessment and reflection skills, and group participation and leadership skills." These skills are currently in high demand in the workplace. Middle Schoolers need to be engaged in the technology and skills that will allow them to compete in the global marketplace of the future.
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