Course: The weird and wonderful world of plants

  • The Weird and Wonderful World of Plants

    Explore the weird and wonderful world of plants with Marley...

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  • Instructions: Clicking on the section name will show / hide the section.

  • Enter the world of a dandelion and find out how these tough little plants thrive in even the busiest city or wildest places. Click on the links in this section to find out more...

    • scorm icon
      The Dandelions Learning Box - START HERE Interactive Lesson

      Marley LOVES dandelions. These cheery flowers are bright, golden and named after a big cat!

      You can find dandelions on almost any outdoor adventure. Some people think dandelions are weeds, but they do an important job for wildlife. Open the box and enter to find out more.

      This is designed to work on tablets and computers. Make sure you have the sound on!


    • page icon
      Dandelions (alternative text version) Page

      Plain text version of Marley's Dandelion's in case you are unable to use the above interactive version for any reason.


    • Expedition dandelion

      Pre-expedition prep

      Watch this video before you head out on your expedition. Captions and full-screen options are available in the player at the bottom of the video or view the text description below the video.


    • page icon
      Dandelion Leaves video - text description Page

      Text description of above video

    • Your mission

      Select from 3 available formats
    • resource icon
      Expedition dandelion and activities (opens in a new window/tab) File

      View this PDF on your computer or tablet - or print it out.

      Find out more about Dandelions by joining Marley to find out more about dandelions in the section above first then go on Expedition Dandelion!

    • resource icon
      Expedition dandelion and activities - alternative version (opens in a new window/tab) File

      This is an alternative version of the above activity

    • page icon
      Expedition Dandelion - text version Page

      Good for viewing on a mobile phone when outside if you cannot print out the sheet

    • Your dandelion dissection

      Does your dissection look like this? Select an image to take a closer look (opens in a new window/tab):

      A dissection of a dandelion laid out on paper A dissection of a dandelion laid out on paper and sellotaped to the paper



    • Dandelion poems

      Try writing a poem about a dandelion. Some links to examples of dandelion poems appear below.

      When you are writing your poem, think about where the dandelion lives, what it looks like, its colours and shapes, the roots, the leaves, the flowers and the clocks.

      Will your poem rhyme?

      Will it have a special rhythm?

      It could have one line starting with each letter of the word DANDELION. This kind of poem was used for a book called The Lost Words. It is called an acrostic poem.

      Maybe you could illustrate your poem with a picture.

      (All links below open in a new window/tab)

    • url icon
      Dandelion poem from The Lost Words URL

      This poster is the original poem from the book The Lost Words by Robert MacFarlane and Jackie Morris. Hosted by the John Muir Trust.

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      A dandelion song URL

      This is a song about dandelions from the book Spell Songs - the partner to The Lost Words.

    • url icon
      Dandelion poem URL

      This is a poem by Gerda Stevenson at the Scottish Poetry Library.

    • Dandelion petal syrup - very important information from Marley

      Please read this Health and safety and information before watching this video or viewing/downloading the recipe file.

      Identifying a dandelion

      Ensure you know how to identify a dandelion by opening up the Dandelion Learning Box if you haven't already looked inside. You can use the Dandelion Expedition materials to find your dandelions (PDF document - opens in a new window/tab).

      Get the help of a grown-up

      Please ensure that you have supervision of a grown-up while collecting your dandelions and making the syrup. It is important to collect clean dandelions. The making of this syrup involves using a hot stove and results in very hot liquid. Please be very careful as bubbling syrups are very hot.

      Allergies

      If you have any known allergies to dandelion please do not consume. If you are unsure about consuming dandelion, please check with your healthcare provider first.


      Disclaimer:

      Neither RBGE nor Marley may be held responsible for any injury or misadventure caused in the making or taking of this remedy.

      Please always consult with a Qualified Medical Herbalist before using any botanicals as medicines.


      Now enjoy!

      View full screen to ensure you can read all the recipe details.

    • resource icon
      Dandelion Petal Syrup Recipe - PDF version of the video File

      (opens in a new window/tab)

  • Expedition camouflage

    Visit the Expedition storeroom and go on Expedition camouflage to learn about creatures and plants that have cunning camouflage like these stone plants - can you see them?



  • The Titan Arum is a truly weird and wonderful giant plant that lives in the rainforest of Sumatra in Indonesia.

    This lesson is aimed at mid to upper primary age children who are interested in the rainforest.


    • Titan Arum learning box

    • scorm icon
      Titan Arum learning box - START HERE Interactive Lesson

      The Titan Arum is a very strange plant. This jungle giant has one of the largest and weirdest flower heads of any plant.

      Let's find out more about its life...


      This activity takes about 30 minutes to complete and is designed for upper primary and older. Click on the box and enter to find out more.

      This is designed to work on tablets and computers. Make sure you have the sound on!


    • page icon
      Titan Arum - a real Giant (text version) Page

      Plain text version of Titan Arum - a real giant in case you are unable to use the above interactive version for any reason.

    • A Titan Arum art activity

      First, watch this short video:

      NewReekie2: Titan arum public art mosaic (short, 2017) from Wild Leaf Reels on Vimeo.

    • page icon
      A Titan arum art activity video - text description Page

      Text description of above video

    • Activity: Drawing Giants



      This art activity (opens in a new window/tab) is inspired by the giant size of the Titan Arum. 

      We often find it easier to draw small but harder to scale the size up. This activity gives you a method to help you take a small picture and turn it into something bigger.  View on your computer or tablet or print out.



    • resource icon
      Drawing giants art activity (alternative version) File

      (opens in a new window/tab)