Sphagnum the Bog Builder Teacher’s Notes Pre‐visit preparation Equipment Print out Time Suggested class level Location at Griston If it rains Safety and Conservation Curriculum • Content •
Skills •
Linkage •
Follow‐up Pre‐visit Lesson: How a Bog is Built Provided at Griston: - Samples of sphagnum moss in plastic bag and tray. - Coloured hoops (x10) None required 15 minutes 3rd – 6th class Anywhere along the low boardwalk on the bog e.g. between benches at #3 and #4. Use classroom at #2 as shelter when showing sphagnum at start and for discussion at end. Umbrellas would be handy for the investigation. Keep to boardwalk to protect bog. Maths and science Maths - Number operations: addition - Extension: percentages and fractions Science Observation Fair testing Environmental Awareness & Care: conservation of habitats Science and Maths: investigate how much water Sphagnum moss can hold. Sphagnum the Bog Builder Teacher’s Notes Background Notes for Teachers
It is assumed that the children know that Sphagnum Moss is the bog builder (see Pre‐visit Lesson: How a Bog is Built). This plant activity enables the children to get to know one key bog plant very well. It introduces the scientific skills of sampling and using a quadrat. Simple maths skills (addition) are used and extension into fractions and percentages readily follows on. The beauty of this activity is how quick and easy it is, yet very educational and satisfying for the children. Sphagnum the Bog Builder Teacher’s Notes Lesson Plan 5min Step 1&2 At the bench at #3 1. Pass around samples of Sphagnum moss (provided) for the children to examine. Note how wet it is (touch against the face). Ask the class to point out features that could help them identify it again, (e.g. rosette at the top, long floppy stem, colours‐ there are several different Sphagnum species at Griston, a bright green, an ochre orange and a red species). Remind the class of Sphagnum’s role as the bog builder. 2. Organise the children into 10 small groups and give each a coloured hoop/quadrat. 3. Line the children along the edge of the boardwalk between benches at #3 and #4. On the count of 3, ask that they drop their hoops on to the bog, close beside the boardwalk. 4. Ask that they all kneel or squat down and look into their hoop. When all are crouching and looking ask if Sphagnum moss is growing where the hoop fell. 5min Step 3 & 4 5min Step 5 & 6 5. Gather the class together for the results. o Ask the groups that detected Sphagnum in their hoop to raise the hoop. Count how many of the ten groups had Sphagnum growing. (Also ask groups that did not detect Sphagnum to raise their hoops, to share the fun!) Extension: convert the frequency to a fraction and/or percentage e.g. Sphagnum was growing in 30% of the hoops. Extension: fair testing – who looked to find sphagnum and dropped their hoop onto it? What effect would that have on the results? 6. Discuss the results o Is Sphagnum rare or common? o What does this mean for the survival of Griston as a bog? Sphagnum the Bog Builder Teacher’s Notes Location: #3 & #4 on the low boardwalk Step 1 Pass around Sphagnum. Note rosette of leaves at the top, the floppy stem and range of colours red, ochre, green. Step 2 Organise into 10 groups, each group with hoop. Step 4 Look for sphagnum in hoops. Pupils will need to crouch or kneel down on the boardwalk. Step 1 continued Note how wet sphagnum is. Step 3 Line up with ten hoops & on count of 3, drop hoops onto the bog. Step 5 Review the class results. o How many quadrats had sphagnum growing? (express as a fraction or percentage of ten quadrats used) o Was the testing done fairly? Step 6 Discuss the results: • Is Sphagnum rare or common at Griston? • What does this mean for the survival of Griston as a bog?