FYI if you are working from home, I will upload clear pictures of the bushtit nest here on this blog and on TEAMS, so you may do this assignment.
Investigation: Write a report as a document or slide show.
1. a. Here is some info on Bushtit biology right here: an excerpt from the website:
"Bushtits need to eat 80% of their body weight each day to keep up with their speedy metabolisms when weather is warm- they eat even more when it cools down. According to a study from 1907, bushtits in California had diets that consisted of 81% insect matter through most of the year, and which increased to 100% insect matter in the spring. "
write 10 points which characterize bushtit biology
1. NEST SAMPLE (shared microscope) : Observe the tiny sample of the nest under the microscope and report what you see. Can you see the spider silk? The moss? feathers? Take a picture with your camera if you can.
2. COLLECT YOUR OWN SAMPLE OF a similar species of MOSS and LICHEN that is NOT from the nest from outside and examine this magnified either under the microscope ( OR using your camera to take a really close shot ) and draw your sample. Answer this question: What properties of moss make it suitable for nesting material?
3. Listen for the sound of a bushtit around our school. Observe for bushtits over a few days. Draw a map of where and when you hear this sound and include it in the report.
4. Optional extra observations: Some of you began looking at other interesting specimens in our class and using our microscopes. If you looked at other specimens and photographed them, include them here too. If you did not, no worries, number 4 is optional.
Evaluation
17-20 - This is a beautifully presented assignment with clear observations, photos, drawings and observations. It is insightful and excellently done. It is typed or written in ink and in colour
13-16 - This assignment is complete and very well done with great photos and observations. It is in pencil
5- 12 - This is a good start with some good observations but it is incomplete
Please continue with the Mosses and Ferns lab activity (it was already printed out for you) . If you are allergic to pollen, do not do the pollen observations but just answer the questions.
You can also work on a powerpoint of our False Creek walk last week. Create a powerpoint of the central park observations from last week. label your specimens as angiosperms, gymnosperms, pterophytes, bryophytes. This can be a group activity. List full names on your title slide.
evaluation:
18-20 you do an exceptional job. You include a clear photo of the specimens, with you or members of your group, or your hand...and you write notes on the specimen which includes a description, and its role in the forest. for example, you could identify douglas fir and its crevices in which bats live.
14-16 you do a very good job of this slide presentation and it includes a clear photo of the specimens with their names. no description or a brief description.
We will be meeting at Central Park Patterson Skytrain Station at 10:35AM for attendance. We will walk the trails and also observe trees, shrubs and ground covers to identify examples of Gymnospermae, Angiospermae Pterophyta and Bryophyta. We will also identify the most common species of Mother trees in the area where we are walking.
Central Park is part of the City of Burnaby and is part of unceded of the following Coast Ssalish people:
First go into the school garden and bring back some mosses and fern specimens. You will start this Plant evolution lab activity . It starts on page 9 of this booklet.
1. Examine MOSSES and FERNS by using the DISSECTING MICROSCOPES located in the back room. These have TWO OCULAR LENSES: two eye pieces, not one.
2. Draw your specimens while observing under low power. Put your specimens on paper towel. if a petri dish is available, try submerging your moss under water. It looks very much like seaweed. Why does it resemble algae?
As you work through this lab, note that we do not have certain specimens. We have no liverworts or horsetails in our school garden so you cannot examine them. Just answer the questions for liverworts and horsetails.
Plants alternate their generations. If humans did this, it would be something like this: I will explain this when I come back to school.
Watch this video and learn about alternation of generation
