A Simple Way To Make Introducing Plant Classification Fun5 min read
Plants can be found in different places. There are numerous types of plants that thrive in deserts and snow-covered mountains. They are known for their vivid colors and great variety. Plants are living things that grow in the soil and turn sunlight into food. They can be big or small. Kids who explore nature will always find it very exciting to watch and observe the plants in nature. While homeschooling it is always a task to teach them the classifications of plants. This article will help you understand plant classification better and ways to introduce it in a simple way to your children.
Contents
Benefits of Plants
- Plants are vital to humans. They provide shelter, food, fuel, and many other basic needs. Unfortunately, without these, people would not be able to sustain themselves.
- Starches and sugars are the nutrients that plants use to grow and thrive. They are also the ones that humans and other organisms rely on to live. The main food plants of North America are cereals and Legumes.
- Herb and spice seasonings are made from plant materials. Some are derived from dried fruits and others are derived from leaves and stems.
- Some beverages are made from plants, such as coffee and tea. Others are ready-made by nature, such as orange juice, honey, and fruit juice.
- Most of the clothing we use comes from plants. They are the main producers of cotton and cellulose.
- Around 4,500 years ago, Egyptians first used the papyrus plant’s fibers to make the first paper. The term paper was derived from the plant’s name. A hundred years later, the Chinese invented a method of making paper.
- In many parts of the world, the shelter in most houses is made from wood. The materials found in these houses include paper, cloth, and wood.
- Trees can be used to make various products such as resins, cork, and rubber. They also produce various fats and oils.
- Fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas came from plants and animals that lived on Earth thousands of years ago. After they died, their remains were buried underground. Peat is produced by using the partially decomposed plant material found in bogs.
- Wood is still used for heat in various parts of the world. Incompletely burned wood is often used as a fuel in developing countries, where other sources are expensive or unavailable.
- Through the ages, people have found ways to use plants to relieve their aches and pains. Many cultures have been using plants to treat their wounds and illnesses.
- Some of the plants that were discovered and used during the time of the Native Americans are still used today. For instance, the leaves of the foxglove contain digitalis, which is a compound that’s used to treat heart disease.
Let’s take a look at “What is classification” is
There are millions of living things in the world. They are grouped into various categories. Scientists are trained to classify and identify plants. They can also use the Carl Linnean system to refer to living things. Carl Linnaeus was a Swedish doctor and zoologist who is regarded as the father of modern taxonomy. He is also known for introducing the concept of binomial nomenclature. All organisms are put into groups according to their similarities. They go from the most general to the smallest and most specific groups.
A common classification scheme refers to plants with tall, woody stems or trunks. They are usually called trees if they have at least 8 feet in height. Shrubs are usually low, woody plants. There are a variety of trees within these groups, some of which can grow to heights of over 300 feet. Certain plants, such as the flowering dogwood, can also grow to over 30 feet in height.
Simple ways to understand the classification of plants
Scientists have organized the kingdom of plants into these main groups
Mosses and Worts: Mosses and worts are non-flowering plants that do not have a vascular system. This makes them less likely to grow tall. These little creatures are usually about an inch long. They need water to grow. Hornworts and liverworts are simple plants. They have flat leaves and hairs on their bodies.
Ferns: Ferns are small plants that reproduce by spores. They have a circulatory system and can grow taller than worts and mosses. Tree ferns have various parts and can live in different ecosystems. They require moist conditions to reproduce.
Gymnosperms: Conifers are often referred to as gymnosperms. They live in warm climates and are often referred to as cycads. Gymnosperms are vascular plants that produce seeds through their cone-like protrusions.
Angiosperms: Angiosperms are plants that produce seeds inside a fruit. They help pollinators spread the pollen that they produce. Angiosperms have stems, roots, and leaves.
Activities for kids
Journaling and plant reading: It can help you learn about plants. See what you can learn from these fascinating subjects. Then, try something new. You can also write a story about how a plant changed its life cycle. Then, sign the author’s name and share the experience with others.
Plant succession observations: If the lawn is not mowed, other plants might start growing around it. These shrubs and trees would then begin to grow. In some cases, plant succession can be seen in nature. This process occurs when a plant dies or disappears from a particular area. Once you’ve got a piece of land to study, keep a journal and follow its progress. Nature will eventually take over the land and cover it with native plants.
Conclusion
Different types of plants can be found in different regions. In deserts and snow-covered mountains, they thrive. Plants can be big or small. They can also be found in the wild. When kids are exposed to the environment, they will always find it exciting to observe and collect plants. Explore it with your child and do some fun activities too.