Plant Nature Study II by Jacob Joshua Levison Plant Nature Study II by Jacob Joshua Levison    

Lesson 30: Deciduous - The Magnolia

Directions

Study the lesson for one week.

Over the week:

• Read the lesson.
• Review the synopsis.
• Recite aloud the vocabulary words and their definitions.
• Learn the concepts.
• Complete the enrichment activities.
• Study the review questions.

Synopsis

This lesson looks at the decorative magnolia genus, which contains many species known for their beautiful blossoms. Magnolia species can often be told apart by their buds. This lesson focuses on the cucumber and the umbrella variants, which are prevalent in the eastern United States. The cucumber variant is named for its fruit, which resembles a green cucumber. The umbrella variant is thus named as its leaves grow at the tips of its branches and form an umbrella shape. The scientific (Latinized) name of the cucumber variant is Magnolia acuminata and of the umbrella variant is Magnolia tripetala.

Vocabulary

Magnolia: A tree or shrub in any species of the genus Magnolia, many with large flowers and simple leaves.
Bud: A newly sprouted leaf or blossom that has not yet unfolded.

Concepts

PLANT YOUR OWN OAK TREES

1. Remember the acorns you collected last fall for Lesson 11?
2. It's time to plant them and let them grow!

MATERIALS

1. Refrigerated acorns from Lesson 11
2. Yogurt containers, Styrofoam cups, milk cartons, or similar containers
3. Potting Soil

METHOD

1. Remove the acorns you collected during lesson 11 from the refrigerator.
2. Treat the acorns with care to avoid damaging any roots that have sprouted.
3. Redo the float test with a glass of water. Discard any acorns that float.
4. Fill some one to two-gallon containers or pots with potting soil.
5. Plant two acorns per container to increase chances of one sprouting.
6. Plant the acorns on their sides at a soil depth of about 1.5 times the diameter of the acorn. (e.g. 1-inch acorn == 1.5 inches deep)
7. Poke holes in the sides of the container near the bottom to allow water to escape.
8. Place the containers in a southern window (assuming you live in the Northern Hemisphere), watering frequently to keep the soil moist.
9. If you decide to transplant the tree to the outdoors, wait several weeks or around they are around 4-6 inches tall.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Narrate the Lesson

• After reading or listening to the lesson, narrate the lesson aloud using your own words.

Activity 2: Study the Lesson Pictures

• Study the lesson pictures and describe how they relate to the lesson.

Activity 3: Take a Nature Walk

• Bring a small sketchbook and a specimen collection bag and embark on a nature walk.
• If they grow in your area, seek out a Magnolia or any flowering or fruiting tree.
• Study and sketch the appearance and habitat of the tree.
• Collect a leaf specimen from the tree.
• Use the sketch and leaf specimen to create the field book entry.

Activity 4: Complete a Field Book Entry   

After your nature walk, complete page 46 in 'Science Field Book for Fourth Grade.'

Review

Question 1

For what showy feature are magnolia trees generally known?

1 / 6

Answer 1

Magnolia trees are generally known for their beautiful flowers.

1 / 6

Question 2

How did the cucumber magnolia variant get its name?

2 / 6

Answer 2

The cucumber variant was named for its cucumber-like fruit.

2 / 6

Question 3

How did the umbrella magnolia variant get its name?

3 / 6

Answer 3

The umbrella variant was named for its umbrella shape.

3 / 6

Question 4

Describe a float test for acorns.

4 / 6

Answer 4

Fill a glass with water and submerge the acorn to see if it floats or sinks.

4 / 6

Question 5

What should you do if an acorn you plan to plant sinks during a float test?

5 / 6

Answer 5

You should keep the acorn and plant it.

5 / 6

Question 6

Where in your home should you place a newly planted acorn seed?

6 / 6

Answer 6

Place your planted acorn seed in a southern-facing window.

6 / 6

❮ ❯

1. For what showy feature are magnolia trees generally known? Magnolia trees are generally known for their beautiful flowers.
2. How did the cucumber magnolia variant get its name? The cucumber variant was named for its cucumber-like fruit.
3. How did the umbrella magnolia variant get its name? The umbrella variant was named for its umbrella shape.
4. Describe a float test for acorns. Fill a glass with water and submerge the acorn to see if it floats or sinks.
5. What should you do if an acorn you plan to plant sinks during a float test? You should keep the acorn and plant it.
6. Where in your home should you place a newly planted acorn seed? Place your planted acorn seed in a southern-facing window.

References

'Studies of Trees' by Jacob Joshua Levison. gutenberg.org/ebooks/16116. n.p.

'How to plant an oak tree from an acorn.' Audubon. ca.audubon.org/conservation/how-plant-oak-tree-acorn. n.p.