Tomatosphere
May-June 2017
20170517
- Tomato Germination
- Jesse and Lina will bring the tomatoes from the back room to the class and will return them after.
- make sure that students put full names and the date on all worksheets and hand them in at the end of the class.
- Measure Growth
- Q+Q Observations; 1 student quantitaive, the other qualitative. There may not be any significant data to record, yet; but a record should still be done.
- take pictures, if have device
- Prediction activity
- Seed Investigation Prediction Guide - individual
- Predict-Compare-Share; copy over individual, share with partner, each group put info on board in table:
| more will germinate | same number will germinate | less will germinate |
|---|---|---|
| . | . | . |
Vocabulary
- Vocabulary Preview - add words to columns: totally new; heard, not sure; know meanin; use in sentence
- Key Concept Exploration - Germination - articles.
Research Questions
Tomatosphere Notes / Links
- tomatosphere - GFolder
- SEED INVESTIGATION
- Seeds and Germination
- Scenario - pdf version; gdoc version
- Daily Germination Table
- Q+Q Observations
- Seed Investigation Prediction Guide
- Predict-Compare-Share
- Key Concept Exploration - Germination
- Vocabulary Preview
- Bar Graph Template
- What is Inquiry?
- RESOURCES
- RESOURCE LIBRARY
- Seed Structure and Anatomy
Observing and Recording Results
- Determine Germination: The primary objective of the Seed Investigation is to determine the number of seeds that germinate compared to the number planted for each of the two types of seeds (treated and untreated). A seed can be considered to have successfully germinated when two (2) distinctly separate cotyledons (embryonic leaves) can be seen (image below).
- Recording Results: Record how many seeds germinated each day for 2-3 weeks or until 5 days after the LAST seed germinates. See the example observation chart below. Use a plastic stir stick to mark when each seed has been recorded.
- Summarize Results in a Chart
| EXAMPLE | "G" SEEDS | "H" SEEDS |
|---|---|---|
| Number of seeds planted | . | . |
| Date of planting seeds | . | . |
| Date on which first seed germinated | . | . |
| Date on which last seed germinated (do not count seeds that did not germinate) | . | . |
| Total Number of seeds that germinated | . | . |
- Seed Care and Watering
- The peat pellets (or soil) should be kept moist during the germination phase. Check the peat pellet or soil daily to ensure that it is damp to the touch, but not soaking wet. Add water accordingly as needed. The watering schedule may vary depending on the humidity of the room.
- Remember to water the peat pellets or soil before leaving for the weekend and as soon as possible upon return. It is important that the peat pellets or soil does not dry out.