Trimester 1: Plants
NEW! (December 6th, 2011)
Our Brassica plants have grown like wildflowers! They are about 15 cm tall now and are sprouting buds, some of which are opening into flowers! In the few weeks before winter break, first graders will look at different flower parts, learn about pollination and fertilization of seeds, and pollinate their Brassica plants. We will also finish observing the decomposing pumpkin.
NEW! (October 25th, 2011)
Our Brassica plants have just completed their germination stage. At the end of last week, first grade saw their sprouts begin to poke up out of the soil! As our Brassica plants continue to grow, each student will closely study his/her own plant. We have studied the leaves and roots of our plants. We learned that the leaves are the "kitchen" of the plant. They make food! We also learned that the roots have two important jobs: 1) to suck up water and 2) to hold the plant in the ground.
As the Brassica plants continue to grow, we will study the stem and the parts of the flower. First grade will turn into bumble bees for a few short minutes, so that they can pollinate their plants.
Also, with fall upon us, now is the perfect time to study the life cycle of the pumpkin. We will compare the pumpkin life cycle to the Brassica plant life cycle. We will also conduct a decomposition experiment to help us learn that organic items (like pumpkins) decompose, or break down, and return to the soil.
NEW! (September 20th, 2011)
During the first few weeks of school, the first graders have really begun to grow into fabulous scientists. We most recently completed our study of seeds. The seed surprised us in many ways, including that it is similar to you and I! Just like we put on a coat to keep warm, the seed has a coat as well. The seed coat keeps the baby plant on the inside of the seed warm and protected. We also learned that the baby plant needs to have its own supply of food.
Soon, the first graders will plant their very own Brassica seeds. As the Brassica seeds grow, the students will keep a journal to record changes that they observe. We will begun to understand that good scientific drawing means we must add color, details, measurements, and labels. Tracking the growth of our Brassica plants will help the first graders to study the life cycle of the plant, as well as the concept of CHANGE OVER TIME, our yearlong theme for the entire school year.
NEW! (August 27th, 2011)
Our first graders will start off this school year completing a scavenger hunt of the science classroom to help them learn about the classroom environment. Soon, we will begin learning what it means to be a scientist. Through various pieces of literature (including Curious George Plants a Seed), first graders will discover that scientists are curious and that scientists use their 5 senses (sight, smell, taste, touch, and hearing) to make observations. As our first graders grow as scientists we will practice adding details, description, and measurements to our scientific drawings.
As we delve into our plant unit, we will explore the seed and its parts. We will also experiment to understand how the various plant parts (leaves, roots, stems, and flowers) function to help the plant grow and reproduce. To study the life cycle of a plant, first grade will plant Brassica seeds. Brassica plants complete their life cycle fairly quickly, so this will be a great way for us to observe the life cycle of a plant in action!
Downloads:
| the_plant_part_song.pdf |
Plant Parts Song
- hypothesis
- observation
- seed coat
- embryo
- life cycle
- sprout
- pollination
- germination
- grow
- roots
- seed
- stem
- flower
- leaf
- fertilization
- photosynthesis
Clip art licensed from the Clip Art Gallery on DiscoverySchool.com
