The Amazing Fungus!
It's absolutely true, these fungi are incredible, as we greatly learned during our immersive homeschool lesson all about mushrooms!
It was a week filled with science, an edible creation, an adventurous hunt-
and wow, so much more.
There's so much engaging learning to be had when exploring the world of mushrooms, and I wanted to included it all!
But before growing our lesson plan, I had to grow my knowledge of this particular fungi.
So on the mushroom hunt I went, gathering facts and information to put the FUN in fungus!
If you are on the trail of a mushroom lesson plan, here are some facts to store in your cap!
Get the Mushroom Lesson Plan, complete with activities, games, paired worksheets and more!
Let Knowledge Grow!
Mushrooms Are Fungus
While they may resemble a plant, they are not plants, they are fungus. Mushrooms do not have chlorophyll, and can not produce their own food. Mushrooms grow directly on their food source, since they can't move about. They make up their own kingdom, which includes yeasts, molds, and rust.
Mushrooms Are Nature's Clean Up Crew
Without mushrooms, and other fungi, the world would be a much messier place! Mushrooms feed on dead and decaying plants. Without them parks, forests, even your backyard would fill with dead plants, making areas much smellier and unpleasant to live around.
Mushrooms Have Gills
A beautiful and functional part of the mushroom are the gills.
The gills are responsible for protecting a crucial
part of the mushroom- the spores. Within the gills the spores are produced and released, which will allow more mushrooms to be able to grow.
Mushrooms Have Spores
Not one or even 100, but MILLIONS! Millions of spores lie in the gills of the mushroom awaiting the time of release.
Spores are the reproductive cells, that will create more mushrooms once they land in the right conditions.
Mushrooms Have Caps
Not the type you wear, but the top of the mushroom is known as the cap. Once the cap has pressed through the veil of the mushroom, and continues to grow, the umbrella-
like top is called the fruiting body.
Mushrooms Are Major
There are a wide range of mushrooms, varying in size, shape, and color. Some species of mushrooms are edible, while others can be hazardous to your health, even poisonous! There are roughly 14,000 types of mushrooms in the world!
Mushrooms Are Super foods
Mushrooms have many health benefits. They are rich in selenium, (a mineral that aids in repairing damaged cells) , antioxidants, and vitamins. They are known to lower cholesterol, reduce heart problems, boost your immune system, and aid in digestion- now that's super!
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