The Living Dead. Table of Contents. I. Plant Decomposition of Trees and Plants. A. Stages of decomposition of trees

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1 The Living Dead Table of Contents I. Plant Decomposition of Trees and Plants A. Stages of decomposition of trees B. Causes of Decomposition 1. Animals/insects 2. Weathering 3. Human 4. Natural Disasters II. Effects of Decomposition A. Benefits of Decomposition B. Hazards of Decompositions

2 Bibliography Buscaglia, Leo, PhD. The Fall of Freddie the Leaf, A Story of Life for All Ages. Holt Rinehart and Winston, Limited, New York Cobb,Vicki and Brian Schatell,il. Lots of Rot. Library of Congress. New York Emory, Jerry and Taylor Bruce, il. Dirty, Rotten, Dead? Gulliver Green Book, San Diego Pfeffer, Wendy and Robin Brickman, il., A Log s Life. Simon & Schuster Children s Publishing, New York. Romanova, Natalia and Gennady Spirin, il. Once There Was a Tree. Dial Books, New York Video Selections These videos are available at the CH/UH Resource Center Web of Life V (Ed. Resources) 18 minutes Puzzle of the Rotten Log V C1 (Ed. Resources) 12 minutes Web Sites (kid friendly)

3 (teacher friendly) Course of Study OPT Outcomes 1. Students will be able to understand the stages of decomposition. Earth and Space Science #3, grade 4 Earth and Space Science #4, grade 4 Earth and Space Sciences #6, grade 5 2. Students will be able to analyze nature and human involvement in decomposition. Earth and Space Science #1, grade 4 Earth and Space Science #3, grade 4 Physical Science #4, grade 6 Life Science #9, grade 6 Life Science #1, grade 7 Life Science #2, grade 7 Life Science #4, grade 7 Life Science #6, grade 7 3. Students will ID the parts and understand the operation of a microscope. Science and Technology, #3, grade 4, Physical Science #4, grade 4 Life Science, #2, grade 4 Life Science #1, grade 5 4. Students will be able to describe how changes in an organism s environment are sometimes beneficial or harmful. Science Inquiry #6, grade 5 Scientific Ways of Knowing #4, grade 5

4 Microscope Lesson Objective: Students will understand how to use a laboratory microscope and identify the parts. If possible have at least one microscope for each group of 3 to 4 students. Procedures: 1. Discuss the brief history and uses of the microscope. 2. Use web site and discuss the illustration along with microscopes in class. identify the main parts you want students to learn. 3. Class will fill in the blanks of the microscope diagram from the web page together. Materials: Internet Microscope (one per 3 to 4 students) Prepared Microscope Diagram Worksheet Pencil Assessment: Have each student complete worksheet individually for evaluation.

5 Vocabulary List Adaptation- adjust to environmental conditions Agriculture- the practice of producing crops, and raising livestock. Algae- plant or plant life organism of any several phyla chefly aquatic usually chlorophyll contain. Bacterial- single cell microorganisms that live in soil, water, and organic matter. Compost- nutrient rich material that is produced when organic molecules are allowed to rot and decompose in place. Decomposer- an organism that breaks dead plants and animals down into simple inorganic elements which can be returned to the atmosphere and soil. Ecology- the science of relationships between organisms and their environments. Ecosystem- complex community of organisms and its environment. Environment- complex physical, chemical factors that act upon an organisms. Erosion- the gradual wearing away by the action of water, wind, or a glacier. Fungus- decomposers and digesters of the forest floor. Mushrooms are the most common. Inorganic- having to do with things not usually classified as organic. Magnification- Enlargement of an object by an optical instrument. Mineral- a solid inorganic material that occurs naturally in the earth s crust. Niche- a habitat supplying the factors necessary for the existence of an Organism or species.

6 Nutrient cycle- the process by which organisms that die feed on organisms that are alive so those organisms can produce new organisms and then in turn, die to feed the new organisms. Organic- having to do with living things. Organism- a living plant or animal. Saplings- a young tree, one not four inches in diameter. Specimen- an individual item. Urban sprawl- to cause to spread out carelessly.

7 Suggested Projects: Below are web sites to consider if you would like your students to participate in an environmental project. Composting in Schools htttp:// Frequently asked questions about composting htttp:// The 5 th Asian Children s Science Conference Htttp://ppd.jsf.or.jp/shinko/pro/asia/report-e/10-v.htm D. Arbor Day Earth day Day.html

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