Fourth Grade
2nd Semester
Language Arts/Science
Popping Plants
Background:
We have been learning about plants and how they adapt to the environment around them.
In reading we have read the story Saguaro Cactus by Paul Fleisher.
Challenge:
Design and build a fictitious plant or flower that will survive in one of the following
habitats: tundra, freshwater, grassland and forest.
Criteria:
Your plant should:
 Be placed in a three-dimensional environment
 Have at least 2 moveable parts
 Be free standing
 Include a card with one paragraph on how your plant has adapted to its
environment
 Be colorful and creative
Materials:
Construction paper
Pipe cleaners
Brad fasteners
Masking tape (12
inches)
Copy paper
Craft sticks
Paste/glue
Tools:
Scissors
Hot glue gun
Rulers
Colored Pencils
SOLs: Language Arts 4.5 c, h
Science 4.5 a-f
Estimated Time:
One session of 45 minutes for habitat
research.
Two sessions of 30-45 minutes for
construction and/or presentation.
Leigh-Anne Dix, Christine Kelly
R.C. Longan
Dumbarton
June 2008
Newspaper
Straws
Poster board
Cardboard tubes
Tissue paper
Cardboard boxes
Hole punch
Markers/Crayons
Fourth Grade
2nd Semester
Language Arts/Science
Teacher Suggestions:
 It may be good to teach basic levers and pop-ups previous to lesson. See:
http://robertsabuda.com/popmakesimple.asp
and
http://ngfl.northumberland.gov.uk/dt/mechanisms/lever
%20linkage.html


Group size may be determined by teacher
Other materials may be used at the discretion of teacher
Leigh-Anne Dix, Christine Kelly
R.C. Longan
Dumbarton
June 2008
Fourth Grade
2nd Semester
Language Arts/Science
Popping Plants
Criteria
Advancing
Engineer
Include 3-dimensional
environment
At least 2 moving parts
Free standing
Include adaptation card
Colorful and creative
Oral Language and Social (Team) Skills
Used age appropriate
language
Came up with ideas
(Brainstormed)
Final Presentation
Worked well with others
Notes:
Leigh-Anne Dix, Christine Kelly
R.C. Longan
Dumbarton
June 2008
Progressing
Engineer
Budding
Engineer
Observer