Planting Flowers

There is nothing (most) kids like better than getting a little dirty.  My students love planting their own seeds.  I use the clear plastic punch cups.  This allows the students to see the seeds split open and the roots.  We plant our seeds in small groups.  I usually plant a few extras in case someone's does not sprout.  As we plant our seeds, we make predictions about our plants and complete the prediction portions of our data sheet. 

Plant Prediction Data Sheet  

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MqIpEioyJnEIpffhJVM5XOT8TOkVq60uF3gJUgUWgfU/edit

I usually use zinnia seeds, but I revamped my data sheet so any seed can be used.  We put our plants in the window and water them with a spray bottle.  This helps the students prevent overwatering.  I keep the prediction data sheets until it is time to send the plants home.  The students complete the data sheets on the day their plants go home.  Keep the plants at school as little or as long as you like.  I find it is best to send them home sooner than later.

The Tiny Seed

School is out and my beach trip is over so that means I have lots of time to catch up on my blog.  Let me pick up where I left off...plants.  During plant week, I read The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle.  Our class discusses the different parts of the plant and what a plant needs to live.  I created an anchor chart to show plant parts as well as sun, water, and soil.  Finally, the students (with step by step directions from me) color, cut, and glue plant parts onto construction paper.  I laminate this page and add it to our ongoing Carle/Gibbons book. 

From Seed to Plant

I haven't done a very good job at keeping my blog updated, but I'm back on it and have tons to share. 

Let's talk plants!  I really enjoy our plant unit.  To begin the unit, the class and I create a KWL chart about plants.  I start the week off by reading From Seed to Plant by Gail Gibbons.



Next, the students complete another page for our Carle/Gibbons book. We discuss sequencing and the correct order a plant grows. The students start with this sequencing page. They color and cut out all the pictures. Then, the students put the pictures in the correct order. We use sequencing clue words such as first, next, then, and last. 

Here are two examples of the finished product.  Sometimes I make small changes to the pages from year to year (that's why my example is different from the student example).  After the students glue the pictures in the correct order, they add a picture of the book cover.  I laminate the pages and hold on to them to add to their Carle/Gibbons books.