Following on from the classification module of Grade 4, the Grade 5s began to investigate the characteristics of the five divisions of the plant kingdom. Algae, the ancestors of land plants, were the first focus. The girls used the dissecting microscopes to view the simple body structure (lacking differentiation of roots, stems and leaves) of a filamentous green algae found in a suburban pond. The importance of this primitive group to our planet was an eye-opener, as we tend to be less aware of this group of plants. The approximately 30 000 species produce around 50% of the planet’s oxygen and form the energy base for the food webs of aquatic ecosystems.

ANGIE JENNETT
SENIOR PRIMARY TEACHER