Student Video: Mushroom Magic
“Mushroom Magic,” a student-created video, is an engaging way to introduce children to the wonderful world of fungi. Viewers will learn how mushrooms propagate by releasing spores instead of seeds, where mushrooms grow, and other fun facts.
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CATEGORY:science |
GRADE LEVEL:middle grade |
DOWNLOADS:
ACTIVITIES:
Go on a Mushroom Hunt!
Visit a nature area with students and have them search for fungi. Ask students draw the mushrooms in a notebook or journal. Download an app such as iNaturalist to your phone or tablet to identify the various fungi. (Remind students not to touch mushrooms, as some may be poisonous.) https://www.mushroom-appreciation.com/mushroom-hunting-with-kids.html
Mushroom Growing Activity
Once students have learned the various parts of mushrooms, let them enjoy a unique “farm to table” experience by growing edible mushrooms. Purchase the “Back to the Roots Organic Mushroom Kit” from Amazon and follow the instructions. https://shorturl.at/zw1Lj Students will watch with amazement as the mushroom crop grows and doubles in size almost every other day! https://miraculove.com/Mushroom_Growing_Project
Spore slide Investigation
What do spores look like? Show students how to gather spores overnight and place them on microscope slides. Have students view the spores under a microscope and record what they see for each type of mushroom. Ask them to increase magnification and see how it changes their view. https://learning-center.homesciencetools.com/article/microscope-mushroom-science-project/
Mushroom Spore Prints
Spore prints are the powdery residue that is left behind under mushrooms and other fungi. They are often used to identify different types of mushrooms. Make spore prints at home or school for a fun science-art activity! https://gosciencekids.com/index.html%3Fp=2997.html
CRAFT:
Doodle Lou's Paper Mushrooms
Watch your students' enthusiasm for learning grow! Download Doodle Lou's easy-to-make Paper Mushroom craft free! Just click the CRAFT tab.
