PLANT
AND ANIMAL DIVERSITYLesson Plan
Tule Ponds at Tyson Lagoon
PLANT
AND ANIMAL DIVERSITY
Lesson Plan
Tule Ponds at Tyson Lagoon
pdf
OBJECTIVE:
1. Students
explore the changing landscape at
Tule Ponds at Tyson Lagoon
5.
Students see how soil is made for use with native plants.
VOCABULARY:
·
adapt
- changes that take place in an organism that allow the organism to
live and survive better in a certain environment
·
aphid –
small white insect that eat leaves
·
chrysalis – covering that a
caterpillar uses to change into butterfly (note:
a cocoon is the term for moths)
·
larva
– in insect terminology, the wingless, early stage of an insect
before it changes
·
leaves - the principal lateral
appendage of the stem of the plant, which functions in photosynthesis and
transpiration
·
metamorphosis
– in many animals they go through a change of shape within their life cycle
·
nymph –
an aquatic stage of some insects
that have incomplete metamorphosis
petal – the part of a flower that is often brightly colored or ornamented and
is used to attract insects for the purpose of cross pollination
·
pupa -
The non-feeding stage between the larva and adult in the metamorphosis of
insects
·
receptacle
– expanded tip of a flower stalk or axis that bears the floral
organs or the group of flowers in a head.
·
seed pod –
multiple seeds in a structure found on some plants
·
stamen -
the pollen-producing reproductive organ of a flower
·
stem
- the part of the vascular plant axis that bears the leaves, auxiliary buds, and
flowers, all comprising the shoot
·
taproot -
main root of a plant growing straight downward from the stem
wetland - a low area where the land is saturated with water
BACKGROUND:
The organisms at
Tule Ponds at Tyson Lagoon continuously change throughout the year.
Organisms have their own unique life cycle over time.
Some birds can be found only during their nesting seasons, while others
can be seen all year round. Frog
eggs will produce tadpoles, which are abundant during the spring
Ladybugs eggs are found in May and June that rapidly change into pupa and
then ladybugs. Dragonfly nymphs are
abundant in the water, and change into dragonflies in a two-year cycle.
The climate plays
an important factor for these organisms. During
the winter it is very wet, but during the summer some of the ponds may dry up.
Plants and animals must adapt to the changing conditions.
PROCEDURE:
1. Discuss Tule Ponds as a
wetland area that was constructed by engineers to clean stormwater.
It changes throughout the year. The
ponds become full during the rainy season because water comes in through storm
drains. The water level is high and brings many organisms to the
area. Migratory birds are abundant at Tyson Lagoon.
2. Tyson Lagoon is a natural
wetland. It is a sag pond caused by
the Hayward Fault. It does not dry
out, and more stable environment. Fish
live there and aquatic plants are there all year.
Use the picture in the booklet to go over Pond A, B, and C and Tyson
Lagoon.
3. Go over the
different life cycles that you can find at Tule Ponds and Tyson Lagoon.
The examples in the booklet are only a few examples of different types of
changes from metamorphosis to incomplete changes.
Ladybugs eggs are mainly found in late spring to early summer.
Frogs are found all year, but tadpoles are more abundant during late
spring. Dragonflies and damselflies
are more abundant during the summer, but their nymphs can be found throughout
the year. Butterflies are found
mainly in spring and summer, and we currently do not have any abundant other
stages.
4. Instruct students to go
outside and find the different parts of the poppy seeds (if available). They are
most abundant during late winter- summer.
5. As students walk through
the facility the different plants and animals that show change will be
discussed.
FOR
MORE LESSONS:
http://msnucleus.org/membership/html/k-6/lc/organ/2/lco2_5a.html
http://msnucleus.org/membership/html/k-6/lc/organ/2/lco2_6a.html
http://msnucleus.org/membership/html/k-6/lc/ntenvn/2/lcne2_6a.html