Cute activities! We don't have life cycles as part of our curriculum, so we are pushing it into our centers. We have a "Content Area" center where I put any form of social studies or science materials. It normally isn't hands on, although I wish it could be. It's usually more of a push toward the informational text in the content areas. The kids LOVE using Scholastic News, so this week I put an article about toads in the center. There was an accompanying video about frogs. Students compared and contrasted the two animals and their life cycles. I have to say that Scholastic News magazines are WELL WORTH the investment. Online resources are wonderful!
Thank you! I love the idea of a content area center. I had Scholastic News magazine several years ago, and am definitely going to put it on my wish list for next school year! I heard from a colleague that there are now online components/ resources too! As a part of the NJCCCS for preschool, children are developing inquiry skills and learning about the life cycle of a seed also lends it's self to lots of language development and math skills (sequencing and recording data). I also love teaching the kiddos about the life cycle of a butterflies and frogs!
Thanks so much, Stacey! Lima beans are great because they usually grow easily! I am a little nervous about the watermelon seeds this year :) We made three cups for each type of seed (green bean, baby's breath, cucumber, and watermelon), so if any seeds "fail" we can hopefully watch the life cycle take place in another cup and then discuss some ideas of why some of the seeds didn't grow. I have typically always done some type of bean seed, because I have always had great success with growing those in the classroom!
I love teaching plant growth. Our third graders complete a unit in which they plant Brassica seeds and watch the plant go through its entire life cycle. During that study one of my favorite things to use for learning the plant parts was to dissect flowers. I always used carnations and a local florist would save old ones for me. A carnation comes completely apart easily and you can see the anthers and pistil. You can even open the bottom of the pistil and see eggs/seeds. Love it!
Carol, thanks for sharing! I love the idea of dissecting flowers! My class watched a video this week and although some parts of the video were too advanced, they did gain some knowledge about pollination.
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Cute activities! We don't have life cycles as part of our curriculum, so we are pushing it into our centers. We have a "Content Area" center where I put any form of social studies or science materials. It normally isn't hands on, although I wish it could be. It's usually more of a push toward the informational text in the content areas. The kids LOVE using Scholastic News, so this week I put an article about toads in the center. There was an accompanying video about frogs. Students compared and contrasted the two animals and their life cycles. I have to say that Scholastic News magazines are WELL WORTH the investment. Online resources are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I love the idea of a content area center. I had Scholastic News magazine several years ago, and am definitely going to put it on my wish list for next school year! I heard from a colleague that there are now online components/ resources too! As a part of the NJCCCS for preschool, children are developing inquiry skills and learning about the life cycle of a seed also lends it's self to lots of language development and math skills (sequencing and recording data). I also love teaching the kiddos about the life cycle of a butterflies and frogs!
DeleteLove it! We planted lima beans yesterday and created our observation journal today. So fun!
ReplyDeleteStacey
Teaching Ever After
Thanks so much, Stacey! Lima beans are great because they usually grow easily! I am a little nervous about the watermelon seeds this year :) We made three cups for each type of seed (green bean, baby's breath, cucumber, and watermelon), so if any seeds "fail" we can hopefully watch the life cycle take place in another cup and then discuss some ideas of why some of the seeds didn't grow. I have typically always done some type of bean seed, because I have always had great success with growing those in the classroom!
DeleteThis looks like so much fun! I really miss teaching science!
ReplyDeleteMary
Fit to be Fourth
I love teaching plant growth. Our third graders complete a unit in which they plant Brassica seeds and watch the plant go through its entire life cycle. During that study one of my favorite things to use for learning the plant parts was to dissect flowers. I always used carnations and a local florist would save old ones for me. A carnation comes completely apart easily and you can see the anthers and pistil. You can even open the bottom of the pistil and see eggs/seeds. Love it!
ReplyDeleteCarol
Teachers Are Terrific!
Carol, thanks for sharing! I love the idea of dissecting flowers! My class watched a video this week and although some parts of the video were too advanced, they did gain some knowledge about pollination.
Delete