Unit B: Plants for Food and Fibre

Key Ideas   Unit Checklist

Pre-assessment: What do you know?

Figure B.P.1 – Saskatoon shrubs are native to Alberta and produce edible berries in summer.
Figure B.P.2 – Sweetgrass is a native prairie grass used in traditional ceremonies by First Nations people.
You’ll never see all the approximately 400 000 types of plants around the world, but you can appreciate the variety you do see. Some are native to specific areas. In any ecosystem, plants meet the needs of insects and animals. Plants native to Alberta include sweetgrass, saskatoon berries, and lodgepole pines.

Other plants are grown purposely by humans to meet specific human needs such as food. The prairie of Alberta has good soil to grow grains such as wheat and canola. What types of plants do you use every day?

Why are plants so important for insects and animals? What are the ways that humans use plants?

To learn more about how humans can take care of plants that help us, we must understand the structure of plants and the requirements of plants that allow them to grow strong and healthy.

Figure B.P.3 – Lodgepole pines are native to Alberta forests. They are processed into lumber.

Figure B.P.4 – Wheat is a plant whose seed is crushed into flour to make bread.

Figure B.P.5 – Canola is a plant whose seed is used to make cooking oil.

Pre-assessment Questions & Hints

Step 1: The Questions


This short pre-assessment is to find out what you might already know about the topic of plants for food and fibre. Below are four questions. Think about them! If you need a hint, click on the question.

Optional: If you would like a place to write your answers, download this document.

Figure B.P.6 –Aloe is a succulent plant.

Figure B.P.7 –Ivy is a climbing plant.

Think about any plants in your house or yard. How do you keep them alive?
What is your house made of? What is your clothing made of? What sort of plants do you eat?
Think about what weeds or insects do to a garden.

Step 2: The Answers

 Click each of the suggested answers below – how do they compare to your thoughts and answers?
The aloe vera plant will survive better than the ivy can in a dry climate. The aloe vera plant has very thick waxy leaves that help trap water. This is important in a climate where rain is seldom.
Three important things that plants need to stay alive are water, food, and sunlight.
Humans use plants for many things. We eat parts of plants in the form of fruits, vegetables, and grains. Many types of fabric and clothing are made from plants, such as cotton, silk, and linen. Houses and furniture are made from wood, which comes from trees. Paper is made from trees.
Weeds use food and space that the crops require. Farmers use chemicals called herbicides as well as cultivation to get rid of weeds so more of the useful crop plants can grow. Insects and other animals sometimes eat crops. Farmers use chemicals called pesticides to reduce or get rid of these pests.

Step 3: Check In With Your Teacher

The start of a new unit is a great time to touch base with your teacher! Here are just a few reasons to consider contacting your teacher:

  1. Perhaps you found this pre-assessment quiz very easy because you have studied this material before, such as at another school. If so, it's important to tell your teacher.

  2. It's very good for your teacher to know you are starting a new unit; it will give them a good idea of your progress. It doesn't have to be a long message, just a "I'm starting Unit A; just thought you might want to know!"

  3. Your teacher may have special tips and suggestions for the unit you are starting.

  4. Just to say hi – your teacher always enjoys hearing from you!

To contact your teacher, post in the Course Questions Forum, send your teacher an email, or call on the phone if you like. Whatever way you choose, it's always a good idea to get in touch with your teacher – make sure you do it frequently.