Tropism Trails Teacher Guide Tropism Trails
Day 1: Plant Responses & Behaviors
Grade: 6th Grade
Standard: LS.6.1.3
Duration: 60 Minutes
Learning Objectives
Identify and describe four types of plant tropisms (phototropism, gravitropism, thigmotropism, thermotropism).
Explain how dormancy and germination aid in plant survival.
Connect plant responses to environmental stimuli.
Materials
Tropism Trails Slide Deck
Guided Notes Handout
Exit Ticket: Tropism Check
Classroom plants (optional)
Flashlights (for demo)
Seed packets
Instructional Procedure
1. The Hook (5 mins)
Ask students: "Do plants move?" Show slide of Venus flytrap. Challenge them to think about plant "behaviors."
2. Direct Instruction (20 mins)
Use slides to introduce stimuli and tropisms. Break down the 4 types. Discuss dormancy as "hibernation."
3. Tropism Charades (15 mins)
Divide students into groups. Assign each a tropism to "act out" for the class to guess.
4. Guided Notes (15 mins)
Students complete diagrams in notes, drawing arrows to represent growth responses.
5. Assessment (5 mins)
Distribute Exit Ticket. Preview Day 2: Plant Defense!
Differentiation
Support: Provide word bank for notes; use physical hand gestures (up for phototropism, down for gravitropism).
Extension: Research hydrotropism (water) or chemotropism (chemicals) and add them to their notes.
Tropism Trails Presentation Tropism Trails
Real-world examples of how plants sense and move.
The Silent Movers
Tropism
A plant's growth movement toward or away from a stimulus .
Stimulus
Anything in the environment that causes a reaction (light, gravity, touch).
Plants don't run, but they sure do grow!
Phototropism
Growth toward LIGHT.
Sunflowers
Young sunflowers track the sun across the sky every single day to maximize their "fuel."
Chasing the Sun
Gravitropism
The "L" Shaped Tree
Even if a tree falls flat, its stem will turn and grow straight UP. Roots, however, always turn and grow straight DOWN.
Roots (Down)
Stems (Up)
Growth in response to GRAVITY.
"It's like an internal compass pointing toward Earth's center."
Thigmotropism
Stimulus: TOUCH
Ivy Tendrils
Ivy lashing out with tendrils. Once they feel a wall, they lock on and climb!
Venus Flytrap
Touch the hairs twice and SNAP! The rapid movement catches a meal.
Thermotropism
Growth in response to HEAT.
Rhododendrons
They curl their leaves in the cold to hide from the wind. It's plant shivering!
Freeze Response
Teacher Key & Sketches
Photo
Stem bending toward the sun.
Gravi
Seed with roots down, stem up.
Thigmo
Spiral tendril wrapping a pole.
Master Note: Ensure sketches focus on the DIRECTION of movement.
Tropism Trails Guided Notes Botanist's Field Notes
Topic: Plant Tropisms & Survival
Name: ________________________
Date: _________________________
Key Terms
1. Stimulus:
2. Tropism:
Types of Tropisms
Phototropism
Stimulus: _______________
Response: Growth towards _______________.
Sketch a plant leaning toward light
Gravitropism
Stimulus: _______________
Roots grow:
Stems grow:
Sketch a root growing down
Thigmotropism
Stimulus: _______________
Example: A __________________ wrapping around a fence.
Sketch a vine here
Thermotropism
Stimulus: _______________
Example: Leaves _________________ to protect from cold.
Sketch a curled leaf
Survival Behaviors
Dormancy
Purpose: __________________________________________________________________
Season: ___________________________________________________________
Germination
Needs for growth:
1. __________ 2. __________ 3. __________
Think Like a Botanist
If you planted a seed in space where there is no gravity, how do you think its roots would grow? Why?
Tropism Trails Exit Ticket Exit Ticket: Tropism Check
Name: ________________________________
1. Match the tropism to its stimulus:
_____ Phototropism A. Touch
_____ Gravitropism B. Heat
_____ Thigmotropism C. Light
_____ Thermotropism D. Gravity
2. What is the main difference between dormancy and germination?
3. TRUE or FALSE:
Plants only have one tropism happening at a time.
[ ] True [ ] False
Exit Ticket: Tropism Check
Name: ________________________________
1. Match the tropism to its stimulus:
_____ Phototropism A. Touch
_____ Gravitropism B. Heat
_____ Thigmotropism C. Light
_____ Thermotropism D. Gravity
2. What is the main difference between dormancy and germination?
3. TRUE or FALSE:
Plants only have one tropism happening at a time.
[ ] True [ ] False
Exit Ticket: Tropism Check
Name: ________________________________
1. Match the tropism to its stimulus:
_____ Phototropism A. Touch
_____ Gravitropism B. Heat
_____ Thigmotropism C. Light
_____ Thermotropism D. Gravity
2. What is the main difference between dormancy and germination?
3. TRUE or FALSE:
Plants only have one tropism happening at a time.
[ ] True [ ] False
Exit Ticket: Tropism Check
Name: ________________________________
1. Match the tropism to its stimulus:
_____ Phototropism A. Touch
_____ Gravitropism B. Heat
_____ Thigmotropism C. Light
_____ Thermotropism D. Gravity
2. What is the main difference between dormancy and germination?
3. TRUE or FALSE:
Plants only have one tropism happening at a time.
[ ] True [ ] False
Tropism Trails Cornell Notes Cornell Notes: Tropism Trails
Day 1: Plant Responses & Survival
Name: ________________________
Date: _________________________
Essential Question:
How do plants respond to environmental stimuli to optimize growth and survival?
Questions & Cues
Notes & Diagrams
Definitions:
Stimulus: ____________________________________________________________________
Tropism: ____________________________________________________________________
Phototropism &
Phototropism
Stimulus: ______________
Response: Grow toward light.
Gravitropism
Stimulus: ______________
Roots: _____________ (down)
Sketch plant leaning toward light or roots growing down
Thigmotropism &
Thigmotropism
Stimulus: ______________
Ex: ______________________
Thermotropism
Stimulus: ______________
Sketch vine climbing or curled leaf
Dormancy &
Dormancy: When growth ________ to survive harsh weather (winter).
Germination: Seed growth begins! Needs:
Summary
Write 2-3 sentences explaining how plant movements and survival behaviors ensure the plant's future.
Tropism Trails Cornell Key Teacher Key: Tropism Trails
Answer Key • Day 1: Plant Responses
Resource: Cornell Notes Key
Essential Question:
How do plants respond to environmental stimuli to optimize growth and survival?
Questions & Cues
Correct Notes & Sample Sketches
Definitions
Stimulus: Anything in the environment that causes a reaction or response.
Tropism: A plant's growth movement toward or away from a specific stimulus.
Photo & Gravi
Phototropism
Stimulus: Light (Sunlight)
Gravitropism
Stimulus: Gravity
Roots: Positive (down)
Photo
Gravi
Thigmo & Thermo
Thigmotropism
Stimulus: Touch
Ex: Vine wrapping / Flytrap
Thermotropism
Stimulus: Temperature
Ex: Curled Leaves
Thigmo
Thermo
Behaviors
Dormancy: When growth stops or slows to survive harsh weather.
Germination: Seed growth begins! Needs:
Dormant
Germinate
Summary (Sample)
Plants use tropisms like phototropism and gravitropism to move toward sunlight and anchor themselves in the soil. Survival behaviors like dormancy allow them to survive extreme winter cold, while germination ensures the next generation grows when conditions are just right.
Defense and Breath Teacher Guide Defense and Breath
Day 2: Structural Adaptations & Stomata
Grade: 6th Grade
Standard: LS.6.1.3
Duration: 60 Minutes
Learning Objectives
Exemplify structural adaptations for defense (thorns, spiny leaves, bad taste).
Explain how stomata control gas exchange in the leaf.
Differentiate between chemical and physical plant defenses.
Materials
Defense and Breath Slide Deck
Guided Notes Handout
Exit Ticket: Defense & Stomata
Cactus or rose cutting (demo)
Holly leaf samples
Magnifying glasses
Instructional Procedure
1. The Hook (5 mins)
Show photo of a rose. Ask: "Why does it have thorns? Is it just to be mean to us?" Guide to herbivore defense.
2. Defense Mechanisms (15 mins)
Introduce physical vs. chemical defenses. Use slide examples: Roses, Holly, Milkweed, Venus flytrap.
3. Stomata & Gas Exchange (15 mins)
Explain stomata and guard cell structure. Discuss the gas exchange vs. water loss trade-off (transpiration).
4. Stomata "Mouth" Model (10 mins)
Kinesthetic Activity: Hands as guard cells. Call "Sunny day!" (open) and "Drought!" (closed).
5. Wrap Up (15 mins)
Students finish guided notes and complete Exit Ticket. Intro to Day 3 project.
Differentiation
Visual: Use high-contrast diagrams of stomata labeled "O2", "CO2", and "H2O" with different colors.
Kinesthetic: The "Mouth Model" activity helps reinforce the physical movement of guard cells for ESOL/IEP students.
Defense and Breath Presentation Defense & Breath
Real-world cases of plant protection and gas exchange.
Plants vs. Predators
Plants are the base of life. Since they can't run, they've evolved biological armor .
"Armor on the outside, chemistry on the inside!"
Physical Armor
Rose Thorns
Sharp prickles that stop deer from biting the delicate stems.
Holly Spines
Serrated leaf edges that make the foliage painful to chew.
Cactus Armor
Modified leaves that protect water and ward off desert herbivores.
Chemical Warfare
Some plants produce toxins to win the fight.
Milkweed
Bitter sap makes predators sick, teaching them a lesson they won't forget.
Poison Ivy
Releases urushiol oil that creates a painful, itchy skin reaction in mammals.
The Leaf's Mouth
Stomata
Tiny microscopic gates that control the plant's breath and water .
ENTER: Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
EXIT: Oxygen (O2) and Water
The Pore
Guard Cell Gatekeepers
They puff up to open and flatten to close!
Teacher Key & Sketches
Stomata Sketch Model
IN: CO2
OUT: H2O / O2
Model the "gap" in the center as the pore where gases move. Use arrows to show flow.
Defense Key
Sketch a holly leaf with sharp "slashes" to represent spines on the edges. Label as physical defense.
Defense and Breath Guided Notes Botanist's Field Notes
Topic: Defense & Gas Exchange
Name: ________________________
Date: _________________________
Plant Defense Mechanisms
Physical Defenses
Thorns: Found on ____________ bushes.Spiny Leaves: Found on ____________ bushes.Movement: The ____________ closes when touched.
Chemical Defenses
Toxins/Poisons: Examples include ____________ and ____________.Bitter Sap: ____________ makes birds stop eating it.
Breathing & Gas Exchange
1. Stomata are tiny pores found on the ____________ of leaves.
2. They let in ____________ ____________ for photosynthesis.
3. They let out ____________ (the byproduct) and ____________ vapor.
4. Guard Cells are responsible for ____________ and ____________ the stomata.
1
2
1: __________________
2: __________________
The Water Trade-Off
Condition Stomata Status Reason Hot, sunny day _______________ To prevent ____________ loss. Mild morning _______________ To get ____________ for food.
Defense and Breath Exit Ticket Exit Ticket: Defense & Breath
Name: ________________________________
1. Give one example of each:
Physical Defense: ________________________
Chemical Defense: ________________________
2. What two gases move through the stomata?
3. Why would a plant close its stomata on a hot afternoon?
Exit Ticket: Defense & Breath
Name: ________________________________
1. Give one example of each:
Physical Defense: ________________________
Chemical Defense: ________________________
2. What two gases move through the stomata?
3. Why would a plant close its stomata on a hot afternoon?
Exit Ticket: Defense & Breath
Name: ________________________________
1. Give one example of each:
Physical Defense: ________________________
Chemical Defense: ________________________
2. What two gases move through the stomata?
3. Why would a plant close its stomata on a hot afternoon?
Exit Ticket: Defense & Breath
Name: ________________________________
1. Give one example of each:
Physical Defense: ________________________
Chemical Defense: ________________________
2. What two gases move through the stomata?
3. Why would a plant close its stomata on a hot afternoon?
Defense and Breath Cornell Notes Cornell Notes: Defense & Breath
Day 2: Structural Adaptations & Stomata
Name: ________________________
Date: _________________________
Essential Question:
How do plants protect themselves and regulate gas exchange for survival?
Questions & Cues
Notes & Diagrams
Physical vs.
Physical Armor
Thorns: ___________________________
Spiny Leaves: ______________________
Movement: _________________________
Chemical Armor
Poisons: ___________________________
Bitter Sap: _________________________
Stomata &
1. Stomata are tiny __________ on leaf undersides.
2. __________ Cells open and close the pore.
1
2
Label blanks below
Gas Exchange &
Label 1: ________________________
Label 2: ________________________
Transpiration: The process of water _____________________ from leaves.
Hot/Dry Environment Stomata Strategy High Heat (No Rain) ____________________________________
Summary
How do defenses and stomata control work together to keep the plant alive? (2-3 sentences).
Defense and Breath Cornell Key Teacher Key: Defense & Breath
Answer Key • Day 2: Adaptations & Stomata
Resource: Cornell Notes Key
Essential Question:
How do plants protect themselves and regulate gas exchange for survival?
Questions & Cues
Correct Notes & Sample Sketches
Physical vs.
Physical Armor
Thorns: Roses
Spiny Leaves: Holly
Movement: Flytrap
Chemical Armor
Poisons: Poison Ivy
Bitter Sap: Milkweed
Armor & Poison
Stomata &
1. Stomata are tiny pores/holes on leaf undersides.
2. Guard Cells open and close the pore.
1
2
H2O ↑ O2 ↑ CO2 ↓
Gas Exchange &
Label 1: Guard Cell
Label 2: Stoma (Pore)
Transpiration: The process of water escaping/evaporating from leaves.
Hot Environment Strategy High Heat (No Rain) CLOSED
Save Water
Summary (Sample)
Plants use structural defenses like thorns or toxins to ward off predators. They also regulate breathing through stomata, opening them for CO2 gas exchange but closing them during high heat to prevent excessive water loss through transpiration.
Botany Masters Teacher Guide Botany Masters
Day 3: Mastery & Assessment
Grade: 6th Grade
Standard: LS.6.1.3
Duration: 60 Minutes
Learning Objectives
Demonstrate cumulative knowledge of tropisms, defenses, and gas exchange.
Design a hypothetical "Super Plant" with specific survival adaptations.
Complete a summative assessment on plant survival strategies.
Instructional Procedure
1. Rapid Review (10 mins)
Quick "think-pair-share" to review Day 1 (Tropisms) and Day 2 (Defense/Stomata).
2. Project Introduction (5 mins)
Explain the Super-Plant Challenge. Distribute Design Guide and Rubric.
3. Design Phase (30 mins)
Students design their plant. Must include: 1 Tropism, 1 Defense, and Stomata Strategy.
4. Unit Quiz (15 mins)
Administer summative quiz. Collect with the Project Guides.
Differentiation
Support: Provide checklist of adaptations to choose from; provide pre-drawn outlines.
Extension: Have students write a "Day in the Life" story from the perspective of their plant.
* See separate materials: Super-Plant Design Guide, Super-Plant Rubric, and Plant Power Quiz.
Super-Plant Design Guide Student Name: ________________________________
Date: ________________
The Super-Plant Design Challenge
Engineer the ultimate survivor using plant science!
Your Mission
Design a plant adapted to an extreme environment. Use your knowledge of tropisms , defense , and stomata to make it survive.
Step 1: The Environment & Name
Environment (Circle one or write in): Tundra / Desert / Volcanic / ________________
Plant Name: ________________________________________________
1. The Tropism Response
How does your plant use movement/growth (photo, gravi, etc.) to help it survive?
2. Structural Defense
What physical or chemical armor does your plant use against herbivores?
3. Stomata Strategy
When does it open/close stomata? (Think about water loss vs. gas exchange).
Sketch Pad
Draw & Label Here
Point to your tropism, defense, and stomata!
Super-Plant Project Rubric Super-Plant Project Rubric
Criteria Master Botanist (4) Field Researcher (3) Seedling (1-2) Scientific Diagram Detailed drawing includes all parts with clear labels and creative detail. Drawing includes most parts and is mostly labeled correctly. Drawing is missing labels or key scientific parts. Tropism Response Correctly identifies a tropism and clearly explains its survival benefit. Identifies a tropism correctly, but explanation is a bit vague. Tropism is incorrectly identified or explanation is missing. Defense Adaptation Provides a clever defense that logically protects the plant. Provides a defense mechanism, but it might not match well. Defense mechanism is missing or doesn't make sense. Stomata Strategy Clearly explains strategy for opening/closing for gas/water balance. Explains stomata function but lacks detail on transpiration. Explanation of stomata is incorrect or very brief. Presentation Work is exceptionally neat, creative, and shows high effort. Work is neat and complete. Follows all directions. Work is messy, incomplete, or difficult to read.
Total Score: _______ / 20
Grading Scale:
18-20: A 16-17: B 14-15: C
Teacher Feedback:
Plant Power Quiz Unit Test: Plant Power
Standard LS.6.1.3: Plant Responses & Adaptations
Name: ________________________
Date: _________________________
Part 1: Response & Movement
1. A sunflower following the sun across the sky is an example of which tropism?
a) Gravitropism
b) Phototropism
c) Thigmotropism
d) Thermotropism
2. If you turn a potted plant on its side, the roots will eventually grow downward. This is called:
a) Positive Gravitropism
b) Negative Phototropism
c) Negative Gravitropism
d) Positive Thigmotropism
3. During the winter, many trees drop their leaves and stop growing. This state of "rest" is known as:
a) Germination
b) Respiration
c) Transpiration
d) Dormancy
Part 2: Defense Mechanisms
4. Which of these is a CHEMICAL defense adaptation?
a) Thorns on a rose bush
b) Spiny leaves on a holly bush
c) Poison Ivy causing an itchy rash
d) Bark on a tree
5. Why might a milkweed plant produce a bitter-tasting sap?
a) To attract pollinators like bees
b) To prevent animals from eating it
c) To help it absorb more sunlight
d) To keep the plant cool in the summer
Part 3: Stomata & Survival
6. What is the primary function of the stomata in a leaf?
a) To transport sugar to the roots
b) To absorb water from the air
c) To control the exchange of gases (O2 and CO2)
d) To anchor the plant into the ground
7. Describe how guard cells respond to a drought (a long period without rain) and why this helps the plant survive.
Plant Power Quiz Key Answer Key: Plant Power
Teacher Resource • Standard LS.6.1.3
Part 1: Response & Movement
1. b) Phototropism
2. a) Positive Gravitropism
3. d) Dormancy
Part 2: Defense Mechanisms
4. c) Poison Ivy causing an itchy rash
5. b) To prevent animals from eating it
Part 3: Stomata & Survival
6. c) To control the exchange of gases (O2 and CO2)
7. Short Answer (Sample Response): During a drought, the guard cells will close the stomata. This helps the plant survive because it prevents water from escaping (transpiration), helping the plant conserve the little water it has left.
Scoring Guide
Questions 1-6: 1 point each.Question 7: 2 points (1 for saying stomata close, 1 for mentioning water conservation/transpiration).Total Possible: 8 points 
