This extensive database of Oregon's native plants is full of images and information and is searchable by name, size, features, maintenance, region, environmental conditions, and supported wildlife.
Students will learn how different plants interact with one another, where plants grow in Oregon, the defining characteristics of species, how to grow and maintain each species, and how plants maintain ecosystems.
Teaching Tips
Positives
The information in this database is incredibly thorough and searchable in many ways.
This resource is appropriate for students at most levels and will be especially engaging for students in and around Oregon or the Pacific Northwest.
Additional Prerequisites
Students should be familiar with the features of plants that they will read about in each section.
Younger students may benefit from using the database in a whole-class setting, with definitions of unknown terms included in the class discussion.
Differentiation
Cross-curricular connections can be made in art classes that are using plants as inspiration for their artwork.
This database would be an excellent tool for biology, ecology, environmental science, or botany classes that are learning about different plant species, habitats, and biodiversity.
If you are located in or around Oregon, consider using this resource to plan or execute a plant identification nature walk or a school or classroom garden.
With some prep work beforehand, this resource would be a great one to use for a digital scavenger hunt! Students could refine their searches until they figure out exactly which plant is being described by a set of clues.
Scientist Notes
This resource from Oregon State University is a huge, easily searchable database of plants native to Oregon. Plants can be searched by name, garden type, size, flower color, or over a dozen other criteria. Simply click on a picture of a plant to be taken to that species page with color photos, physical description, and a guide to growth and maintenance. This is an invaluable guide to native Oregon flora that would be beneficial to individuals planning their own garden or to a classroom garden project. Many stunning photos of each plant are provided and plants can be searched by ease of growth. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Standards
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
ESS3: Earth and Human Activity
MS-ESS3-3 Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment.
LS2: Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
MS-LS2-1 Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence for the effects of resource availability on organisms and populations of organisms in an ecosystem.
MS-LS2-5 Evaluate competing design solutions for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services.
LS4: Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity
HS-LS4-4 Construct an explanation based on evidence for how natural selection leads to adaptation of populations.
Common Core English Language Arts Standards (CCSS.ELA)
Reading: Informational Text (K-12)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.8.10 By the end of the year, read and comprehend literary nonfiction at the high end of the grades 6-8 text complexity band independently and proficiently.
