The Cornell Weed ID Network has created a four week long Weed Science module for the 4H curriculum. The powerpoints’ intended order is the following: weed science biology (includes general plant biology terms), common broadleaves and grass-like plants, poisonous plants, and lastly the weed management unit. These presentations can be used in any order or used piecemeal, depending on the experience and knowledge of the intended audience. There are also activities associated with each presentation. One of the presentations, “Match Game Cards”, is designed to be used as part of the activities. See below for links to the PowerPoint presentations.
Plant/Weed Biology
Learning outcomes
- Why are weeds important?
- Learn/review plant life cycles: annual vs biennial vs perennial
- Differences between cotyledons types: monocots vs eudicots
- Have an understanding of plant anatomy: grasses, ‘grass-like’ sedges, leaves (arrangement and shape)
- Be able to describe to two types of plant reproduction: sexual (‘pollination’) and asexual (‘vegetative’)
- Press a plant! Why are herbariums important?
Broadleaves and Grass-like Plants Presentation
Learning outcomes:
- What are the differences between broadleaves and grass-like plants?
- What are the key ID characteristics of each group?
- Learn some interesting facts about common broadleaf/grass-like plant species in NY
- Draw your specimen! Why do you think botanical illustration is important?
Broadleaves and Grass-like Plants PowerPoint
Poisonous plants
Learning outcomes:
- What is a poisonous or harmful plant?
- What are common poisonous species in NY
- Be able to describe their key ID characteristics
- What makes plants poisonous?
- Play a match game! Try to match the species name to the photo/specimen
Match Game Cards
This PowerPoint is intended to be used along side the poisonous plants presentation and/or the broadleaves and grass-like plants one as an activity. If students are ready for a challenge consider using the grass species cards, since grass identification can be quite difficult! It is intended to reinforce knowledge gained from the earlier presentations.
Weed Management
Learning outcomes:
- Why is weed management important?
- What is IPM?
- Describe the IPM pyramid and discuss IPM’s principles
- Learn how common weeds are managed in NY
- What is herbicide resistance?
- Problem solving weed management scenarios
- Experience with researching and finding reputable sources