Lesson 1 – How Do Organisms Change with the Seasons?
We compared the seasonal changes in Florida plants and animals to those in other regions of the country. We learned that every place in the United States has four seasons but the places that get less direct sunlight tend to have colder winters. The seasonal changes in temperature and sunlight affect living things. We learned that maple trees are dormant or have a rest period during winter. This means that plants save energy in the winter when there is less sunlight. When it is warmer and the hours of daylight increase, the maple tree begins to bud and the buds turn into leaves. Many plants grow and reproduce in spring. In summer when the hours of daylight are longer and the temperatures are warmer plants continue to grow and get taller. Then in fall when temperatures cool down and daylight decreases leaves change color and fall to the ground.