Research and Experiments

1. Plant Growth using Distilled, Purified, and Mineral Water
By: Jennifer Santos
ANALYZE LEARNERS
General Characteristics:
Content Area: Science
Grade Level: 5th
Ages: 10 to 11 years old
Number of students: 20
Gender: 4 Boys and 16 Girls (formed into groups of 4)
Background Composition: This lesson accommodates students with different ethnic
backgrounds such as Chamorro, Filipino, Palauan, Chuukese, American, Chinese, Korean, and
other outlying neighboring islands that surround Guam. The socioeconomic status of the
students will vary in low, middle, and high. At least one student is exceptional which he/she was
assessed through the Gifted and Talented Program and one student with a disability of having
mild Down syndrome. The student with disability is able to utilize his/her hands and is able to
walk. The student lacks in the area of fluid speech, but is able to understand simple instructions.
Entry Competencies:
In this lesson, students will already have knowledge in the content areas of the following:
Math: Measurements in Length (Unit of Measurement: Centimeters)
Science: Parts of a Plant and its Function
Plant Growth and It’s Needs
Vocabulary
The students were introduced to the digital spreadsheet and were shown its uses.
Further practice use of the software will help prepare the students for the upcoming
experiment.
A review of the above basic knowledge will be conducted as well as introducing new vocabulary
terms such Peat Moss, Mineral Water, Distilled Water, and Purified Water.
Learning Styles:
The lesson can accommodate different types of learners, although the class is encompassed
mostly with visual learners, some are also audio and kinesthetic learners. To ensure the
students understand what the lesson will entail, the teacher must ask questions and assess their
responses.
STATE OBJECTIVES
In this eight- week lesson plan the students will:
1. Create a data sheet using a digital spreadsheet.
2. Identify the differences of Mineral, Distilled, and Purified water.
3. Record measurements and the health of their plants based on color of the plants.
4. Compile findings and create a graph using the computer.
5. Explain or interpret their graph to the class.

2. SELECT METHODS, MEDIA, & MATERIALS
Methods:
Lecture
Group Work
Media:
Computer
Digital Spreadsheet using Excel (Microsoft Software)
Materials:
Mineral Water (6 bottles in 16.9 oz.)
Distilled Water (6 bottles in 16.9 oz.)
Purified Water (6 bottles in 16.9 oz.)
Peat Moss (5 one gallon bags)
Gloves (20)
Rulers (5)
Plastic Spoons (15)
Baby Tomato Plants (15 plants)
Plant containers (15)
Masking Tape (5)
Black Markers (5)
Tables 2’ x 4’ (5)
Trays (5)
UTILIZE METHODS, MEDIA, & MATERIALS
1. Preview the Materials: For safety measures, the teacher will find out if the class or
any of the students have any health issues or reactions towards any of the materials and
media that will be used in the experiment. The teacher will ensure that all the materials are
available by using a checklist.
2. Prepare the Materials: The teacher will group the materials according to the number
of groups established and computers available for use.
3. Prepare the Environment: The teacher will set up work stations prior to the start of
the experiment and label the stations by numbers.
4. Prepare the Learners: The students will be reviewed on what they have learned using
the digital spreadsheet. The students will be given an overview on the purpose of the
experiment. Advice students that the grade will be earned as a group.
5. Provide the Experience: The teacher should always be attentive to the groups and
provide feedback through positive praises. The teacher should be aware for groups who
seem at a lost and keep them on track. Overall, the teacher should enjoy this lesson plan
because it provides cooperative learning for the students and information for the teacher on
how well they can work together.

3. REQUIRE LEARNER PARTICIPATION
The purpose of this eight-week experiment is to find out which type of water (purified, distilled,
and mineral) will make the tomato plants look taller and healthier without sunlight. The following
procedures are recommended to be followed or modified as needed:
1. The teacher will assign roles for the students in their respective groups. Allow the students
to decide which roles they would take. The following roles are: Leader, Materials person,
Recorder, Measurer, and Clean Up person(s). The roles will change weekly.
2. The teacher will call on the Materials person from each group to collect their materials. With
the checklist, each group will make sure their materials are complete. The checklist will be as
followed:
Group #_______
Name(s):______________________________________________________
Materials Checklist for Plant Experiment
Materials Quantity Place a check mark below ()
Mineral Water 3 bottles
Distilled Water 3 bottles
Purified Water 3 bottles
Peat Moss 1 bag
Gloves 5 pairs or 1 per person
Ruler 1
Plastic Spoons 3
Baby Tomato Plants 3
Plant Containers 3
Masking Tape 1 roll
Black Marker 1
Tray 1
Note: If some groups are lacking materials, instruct the Materials person to see the teacher.
3. Have students cut 3 strips of masking tape, place one strip per plant container. Label each
container as follows:
Distilled Purified Mineral
Water Water Water

4. 4. The teacher will instruct the students to put on their gloves and carefully transfer each baby
tomato plant into the new plant container and add peat moss as needed. Advice students not
to press firmly on the peat moss due to the possibility of damaging the young roots of the plant.
P P P
L L L
A A A
N N N
T T T
Distilled Purified Mineral
Water Water Water
5. Instruct students to place the transferred plants onto tray.
6. Instruct students to carefully water the plants according to the corresponding types of water.
Remind students to water the plants up to the rim of the plant containers.
7. The teacher will instruct groups to put away materials and clean up their work stations.
8. Instruct the groups to create their data digital spreadsheet using the computer. The
information should have the following:
Plant Using Distilled Water
Date Week No. Height (cm) Stem Width (cm) Health/Color Condition of the Plant
Plant Using Purified Water
Date Week No. Height (cm) Stem Width (cm) Health/Color Condition of the Plant

5. Plant Using Mineral Water
Date Week No. Height (cm) Stem Width (cm) Health/Color Condition of the Plant
9. Have students save their data sheets under the file name of their group numbers. Then
instruct students to take their first measurements and record it on their data sheet.
Reminder: the plants will always stay in the classroom.
10. Due to the limited number of computers, have the groups who are not yet using a computer
explain the differences of the water being used for the plants on a worksheet. Provide the
resources they may need to answer the questions.
11. The teacher will designate one day out of the week. The teacher will then instruct students
to water the plants according to the labeled plants, take measurements, and change their roles.
12. On the eighth week, final watering of the plants and measurements will be taken. The
students will then compile their data, create a graph, and explain or interpret their results to
the class.
EVALUATE AND REVISE
Evaluate Student Performance: the students will be assessed by the teacher with the
use of a rubric:
Group #______ Name(s):__________________________________________
Category Excellent (4) Very Good (3) Good (2) Fair (1) Score
Use of digital spreadsheet Creates data Creates data Creates data Creates data
and bar graph. sheet and bar sheet and bar sheet and bar sheet and bar
graph without graph with graph with graph with
difficulties. some little difficulties.
difficulties. difficulties.
Plotting of information. Plots Plots Plots Plots little
information information in information information
in the correct most of the on some of on the
spaces. (8/8) correct the correct correct
spaces.(6/8) spaces. (4/8) spaces. (2/8)

6. Explanation of results or Identified at Identified at Identified at Identified
findings. least four least three least two only one
results of the results of the results of the result of the
experiment. experiment. experiment. experiment.
Group Cooperation Assigned Assigned Assigned Assigned
groups groups groups groups
worked very worked well worked worked
well together. together. together. together, but
lacked
cooperation.
Total Score: ________
Notes:________________________________________________________________________________
Evaluate Media Components:
The teacher will determine the media effectiveness during the use of the system.
The teacher should notate if the system has been faulty during the process of creating the
data sheets and graphs. The faultiness can be identified as system freezing, unable to start up
after a power outage, and or unable to save data. It is advised that the computer system be
checked by a technician. Although media components have been prepared prior to the
experiment, technical difficulties may arise. The teacher must be prepared to modify
procedures when necessary.
Notes: ________________________________________________________________________
Evaluate Instructor Performance:
The following questions should be considered when evaluating own performance:
1. Did the students understand the procedures of the lesson?
2. Did all the students participate?
3. Did the students find the lesson boring?
4. Do the students like group work?
5. Did the students find the lesson difficult?
If the lesson was not successful, the teacher should ask the input of the students what
they liked and disliked about the lesson. After reading student responses, the teacher
should go back to the lesson plan, modify, and re teach.
Notes: ________________________________________________________________________