Students will be able to...

• identify and describe the similarities and differences among cacti plants as relates to physical structure, growth, change, and movement.
• explain that all plants have basic needs and identify the specific needs of cacti plants.
• differentiate between natural and man-made habitats and explain how both can support plant life (dish garden vs. desert habitat).
• identify and organize events in their proper sequence.

• Experiment
• Project

• Gardening

• Green Thumb Challenge

• science standard 5: understand the structure and function of cells and organisms.
  • benchmark # 1: know the basic needs of plants and animals (e.g., air, water, nutrients, sunlight/food shelter).
  • benchmark # 2: know that plants and animals have features that help them live in different environments.
• science standard 6: understand relationships among organisms and their physical environment.
  • benchmark # 2: know that living things are found almost everywhere in the world and that distinct environments support the life of different types of plants and animals.
• science standard 12: understand the nature of scientific inquiry.
  • benchmark # 1: know learning can come from careful observation and simple experiments.

• pictures of cacti
• 10" shallow dish or bowl
• soil formulated for growing
• cactus or soil/sand
• gravel
• give or six small cacti (Choose varying heights and textures.) 
• Spoon
• Copies of How to Grow a Cactus Worksheet (provided below)