Described is an experiment designed to illustrate photosynthesis. The experiment is based on a classic experiment performed by vanHelmont in the sixteenth century. A list of materials, procedures, and concepts are discussed. Variations are suggested. (CW)

The construction and stocking of an in-class pond is discussed. Suggestions for eight activities using the pond are provided. A list of 15 references is included. (CW)

Describes the construction of an effective plant incubator for classroom use using a five-gallon plastic bucket. (JRH)

The slime mold Physarum polycephalum provides an easily maintained classroom plant which can act like an animal. Directions are given for: acquiring the organism; activating it; observing its life cycle; and viewing protoplasmic streaming. (DH)

Suggests science activities using amaryllis plants. Includes information on growing the plant and its annual growth cycle. (SK)

Provides instructions for planting a variety of common plants including avocados, and sweet potatoes, oranges, and onions. Discusses key concepts to develop. (MA)

Describes activities in which students explore composting. Enables students to learn that all organic material returns naturally to the earth through a process of decomposition that involves many living organisms. (JRH)

Presented is an idea for combining popular hobby interest with the big ideas of science. Suggestions are presented and detailed directions given for terrarium building. (EB)

Describes a game in which elementary school students learn the importance of plants and some techniques of plant identification. (LS)

Describes an experiment designed to introduce students to chromatographic techniques. Also describes a teacher demonstration in which leaves obtained during the spring and fall are analyzed using chromatography. Procedures for both the experiment and the demonstration are outlined. (JN)

Students conducted an experiment to study the plant growth of three Amaryllis plants. Students examined the speed and amount of growth, cross-pollinated the plants to produce seeds, and compared the growth of amaryllis seeds to the growth of onion seeds, a plant in the same family, Amaryllidaceae. (MDH)

Describes the classification, number, and origin of wildflowers in North America. Discusses the use of a poster attached to the journal that includes activities to help students develop an awareness and appreciation of the native flora of North America. Additional activities are referred to in a list of 20 additional resources. (MDH)

Using many different media, students can turn leaves into images which can be used for study, bulletin boards, collections, and identification. The simple techniques described include pastel printing, smoke prints, ink or tempura printing, bleach printing on t-shirts, ditto machine printing using carbon paper, and making cutouts. (DH)

Samara (winged seeds from maple and ash trees) can be used for open-ended inquiry or a series of directed science activities. Attributes, observations/inferences, drawing, motion, floating, seed structure, creative design, and measurement are some of the suggestions for classroom use of these seeds. (DH)

Discusses various plant parts used as food (including seeds, roots, stems, and leaves), emphasizing the origin of plant materials bought in the supermarket. Also discusses several concepts of nutrition, menu planning, and the relationship between food and energy from the sun. (JM)