Measurement (time): Monster Lily
Challenge level ⭐
(designed for children with prior knowledge of the Year 3 programme of study)
Learning Objective
We are learning how to solve a natural world problem by using and applying our skills and knowledge of measurement, time and length, number and multiplication.
Useful prior knowledge:
- To find simple equivalents of metric units of length
- To count in multiples of 2
Credit: BBC One - Green Planet
Clip Description
There are over 70 known species of water lily. The giant water lily is the largest. An eight-year-old child would have no problem standing on one of its enormous circular leaves! The underside of each leaf and the stem of a giant water lily are covered with sharp spines. The spines help to defend the plant from fish and other creatures that might want to eat it.
In this fascinating clip, we see the stem of a giant water lily rising up from beneath the surface of the water. As the bud at the tip of the stem unfurls and grows into a monster-sized leaf, what do you think will happen to other water plants that are close by? Watch the clip to find out.
Quick Whiteboard Challenge
The stem of the giant water lily can be as long as 8 metres.
How does this length compare with the width of your classroom? Which is longest? How do you know?