Did you know that mushrooms were considered to be plants for hundreds of years? Fourth graders learned that they are now classified as fungi and we discussed some of the characteristics that distinguish them from plants. They removed the caps from shitake mushrooms and carefully examined the gills. In addition, students drew detailed botanical drawings, labeled parts, measured the caps and stipes, and recorded their observations. We are looking forward to spring so that we can look for mushrooms and other examples of fungi on our campus.