Grades 4-8 Math-Science Unit

Objective: To compare the weights of fresh and dried mushrooms

Materials: Use 8 fruiting bodies of fungi for each group of 4 students;and 4 scales and 4 balances for each class.

Lesson:

1. Divide the class into groups of four students each, giving each group four fresh mushrooms and four dried mushrooms of the same kind. (ex. Agaricus, bolete, polypore, coral)

2. Estimate and then weigh the mushrooms.

3. Ask what makes the difference in weight.

4. Use a balance to compare weights. Use less than, greater than and equal to, to compare weights.

5. Make a table to compare weights.

6. Make a bar graph to compare weights.

Name of fungus

agaricus

bolete

polypore

coral