Process
1. In pairs you will first will create a hypothesis as to what is the difference between a seed and a nut.
2. Then you will do research on vegetables, seeds, nuts and fruits to develop facts about fruits, nuts and seeds and record your findings in a journal.
3. Next, you will redevelop your hypothesis and write a factual definition for seeds and nuts.
4. Lastly, you will answer questions about different seeds that you have learned about.
Procedure:
1. With your partner agree on your objectives for the task/project, expectations, and rules (see Guidelines below).
2. Brainstorm possible solutions (see Brainstorming Guide below).
3. As a team develop a hypothesis for the questions: What is the difference between a seed and a nut?
Visit this site to understand what a hypothesis is:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypothesis
4. Visit these websites to learn more about nuts and seeds to support your hypothesis and record your research in your Botany Journal. Categorize your research into four different cateogies 1) Nuts 2) Seeds 3) Fruits 4) Vegetables. Make more categories for other topics you find may encounter.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coconut
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prickly_pear
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Almond
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seed
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nut_(fruit)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fruit
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegetable
5. Adjust, compromise, and fine tune the agreed upon hypothesis until your team is satisfied with the result.
6. Make your decision. If a consensus isn't reached, review and/or repeat steps one through six.
- Guidelines:
Trust each other. This is not a competition; everyone must not be afraid to express their ideas and opinions. Make sure everyone understands the topic/problem. While building a consensus make sure everyone is following, listening to, and understanding each other. All members should contribute their ideas and knowledge related to the subject. Stay on the task. Reference the time management guide for tips. You may disagree, that is OK and healthy. However, you must be flexible and willing to give something up to reach an agreement. Separate the issue from the personalities. This is not a time to disagree just because you don't like someone. Spend some time on this process. Being quick is not a sign of quality. The thought process needs to be drawn out some.
- Brainstorming Guide:
Most problems are not solved automatically by the first idea that comes to mind. To get to the best solution it is important to consider many possible solutions. One of the best ways to do this is called brainstorming. Brainstorming is the act of defining a problem or idea and coming up anything related to the topic - no matter how remote a suggestion may sound. All of these ideas are recorded and evaluated only after the brainstorming is completed.
Brainstorming Procedure:
In a small or large group select a leader and a recorder (they may be the same person). Define the problem or idea to be brainstormed. Make sure everyone is clear on the topic being explored. Set up the rules for the session. They should include letting the leader have control. allowing everyone to contribute. ensuring that no one will insult, demean, or evaluate another participant or his/her response. stating that no answer is wrong. recording each answer unless it is a repeat. setting a time limit and stopping when that time is up. Start the brainstorming. Have the leader select members of the group to share their answers. The recorder should write down all responses, if possible so everyone can see them. Make sure not to evaluate or criticize any answers until done brainstorming. Once you have finished brainstorming, go through the results and begin evaluating the responses. Some initial qualities to look for when examining the responses include looking for any answers that are repeated or similar, grouping like concepts together, eliminating responses that definitely do not fit. Now that you have narrowed your list down some, discuss the remaining responses as a group.
8. Lastly you need to answer the questions in the Seeds observation worksheet. Click on the link below to start working:
*Use the information you have learned from the sites you have visited, if you don't have the answers in your journal, revisit the websites again to find the answers.
