Grade 2 Science/Math

Prairie In A Bottle

Lesson Introduction

A prairie is an area in which grasses dominate along with herbaceous plants (typically green and leafy plants as opposed to woody plants) such as forbs usually growing in relatively dry, well-drained soils or in areas where dry conditions prevail during much of the year. Big Bluestem, Goldstem, Prairie Dock, Rattlesnake Master, Cord Grass , Prairie Cone Flower, and Blue Joint are among the more common prairie plants found in Illinois and in other Midwestern States.

Most plants have four basic needs which are met by the abiotic components of their environment: water, soil, sunlight , and air. Green plants, like animals, need food, but unlike animals, plants make their own food through the process of photosynthesis (conversion of energy from the sun into carbon dioxide and sugars).

Illinois State Goal Standard Learning Benchmarks

12 B 1a. Describe and compare characteristics of living things in relationship to their environment.

12 B 1b. Describe how living things depend on one another for survival.

Lesson Objectives

The students will:

identify the basic needs for survival of a living organism
identify living organisms within a prairie ecosystem
build a model of the water cycle
observe plant growth

Advance Preparation

Place the students in groups of 4-6.
Pre-cut one bottle for each group. Cut the bottom third off of the bottle with the exacto knife.

Time Allotment

45-50 minute session

Materials

exacto knife
pictures or posters of prairie ecosystems contact the Illinois Department of Conservation for free posters and educational materials at (217)524-4126

per group:

2 liter pop bottles
potting soil
gravel
prairie flower and/or grass seeds (you can find 'prairie mix' at your local gardening store)
picture or poster of prairie ecosystem

PROCEDURE

Tap Prior Knowledge

1. Show students the pictures or posters of a prairie ecosystem. Ask students to identify the living things they see in the picture.

Share with Neighbor

2. Have the students discuss with their neighbors what these living things need to survive. Make a list of these ideas on the board. They should include air, water, space, and food.

Hands-on Activity

3. You may wish to give each student a specific number and job. For example:
#1 is in charge of the container
#2 is in charge of the gravel
#3 is in charge of the soil
#4 is in charge of the seeds
#5 is in charge of water
#6 is in charge of air

4. Explain to students that they will be building a prairie habitat. Give #1 both pieces of the pre-cut 2 liter bottle.

5. Ask the students what they first need to give the prairie plants. They will need space to grow. Have #2 place a thin layer of gravel in the bottom part of the bottle. This will help circulate air in the ecosystem in addition to giving the plant's roots space to spread.

6. Ask the students if they think the seeds will grow in the gravel? What else will the plant need? Have #3 place about 1.5 cups of topsoil on top of the gravel. Ask the students what they think the plant needs the soil for. Soil provides both nutrients to feed the plant and space, or a home, for the plant to live in and anchor itself to.

7. #4 is in charge of planting the seeds. Have #4 make several indentations into the soil, up to the first joint of their finger, and sprinkle several seeds into each hole. Have them cover the seeds lightly with soil.

8. Ask the student what else the plant needs. Have #5 water the seeds. Place enough water in the soil so that it becomes saturated but be sure not to drown the seeds.

9. Ask #6 to attach the top part of the bottle to the bottom. With the help of #1, they should tape the center of the bottle so that it is reconnected to the bottom with no air holes. Make sure the lid is on the bottle as well. 10. Have students label their bottles.

Introduce Scientific Principle/Environmental Issue

11. Explain to the students that their terrarium is just like a prairie ecosystem. The water they poured on to the soil is like rain. It will eventually evaporate. Where do they think the water will go when it evaporates? It will stick, or condense onto the closed lid of the bottle, eventually getting heavy enough to fall back onto the ground. When water off of the earth's surface evaporates it goes into the sky, sticking together in a cloud, we call this process condensation. It will eventually get to heavy and fall, precipitating or raining on to the land.

Relate Activity and Concept

12. Because there is air trapped within the bottle, and in the water, the plants will be getting enough water and air to survive. The soil will provide the plant nutrients, the bottle and gravel ample space for the plant to call 'home'. As long as the bottle remains closed the terrarium will take care of itself, providing what the students felt it needed to survive. Ask students where they will need to place the terrariums in order for their plant to be healthy.

13. Have the students draw a picture predicting what their terrariums will look like in one month.