Poison Ivy Teaching Example/Non-Example

Performance Objective Students will be able to identify the difference between Poison Ivy from other types of foliage found outdoors in woods, gardens and forests.

Audience The intended audience is Fifth Graders. The lesson will be given before students begin their Science project where students will collect various types of plants and bugs. Students will need to have an understanding and the ability to detect the poisonous ivy plant from other types of vine like plants to avoid being exposed while in the outdoors.

Student Measurement Students will be asked to describe the identifying traits of poison ivy. Students will also be given a quiz where students are given pictures of varying types of ivy. Students will be asked to circle the images of poison ivy.

Poison Ivy - Example Leaves of three... Let them be!!! Leaves of three... Let them be!!! This picture shows poison ivy with smooth edges and slightly rounded cut edges. The leaves are still grouped in sets of three as the main indicator of the type of plant.

FactsFacts Grows all over the US except far west coast and deserts consists of three leaflets Middle leaf has longer stem than the other two leaves Leaves and vine contain oils which cause irritation to skin Grows all over the US except far west coast and deserts consists of three leaflets Middle leaf has longer stem than the other two leaves Leaves and vine contain oils which cause irritation to skin Poison ivy in the Spring Note the longer stem on the middle leaf

ExampleExample The groupings of three leaves together are an indicator that the plant is poison ivy. This is an example of poison ivy in the fall. The leaves take on a mixture of colors including green, reds and yellows. Oils are still very potent even in fall and winter months. The groupings of three leaves together are an indicator that the plant is poison ivy. This is an example of poison ivy in the fall. The leaves take on a mixture of colors including green, reds and yellows. Oils are still very potent even in fall and winter months.

ExampleExample Poison ivy can be found growing in trees and along the ground as a covering. What ever it grows on, it will eventually kill as it takes over the area.

Non-Example Virginia Creeper is a plant similar to poison ivy. It grows and climbs just like they ivy plant but has five leaves on a stem and distinct jagged leaves

Non- Example Box Elder- A box elder is confused with poison ivy. The leaves have more of a serrated edges and each leaf has stem as apposed to poison ivy.

non- example This is a raspberry vine often mistaken for poison ivy. The vine has the same shape leave with more of a serrated edge.

Example Poison ivy with smooth leaves

Example Poison ivy with different types of shine

References Poison ivy images. Retrieved 10/9/09. Raspberry Vine and Box Elder. Image retrieved 10/10/09. %20pages/raspberry_vine%20.htm Box Elder. Image retrieved 10/10/09. %20pages/raspberry_vine%20.htm Virginia Creeper.Virginia Creeper. Image retrieved 10/9/09. Poison ivy images. Retrieved 10/9/09. Raspberry Vine and Box Elder. Image retrieved 10/10/09. %20pages/raspberry_vine%20.htm Box Elder. Image retrieved 10/10/09. %20pages/raspberry_vine%20.htm Virginia Creeper.Virginia Creeper. Image retrieved 10/9/09.