Overview
The Plants curriculum supplement is designed for four weeks of hands-on and digital (iPad) science learning experiences that are embedded with math and engineering. The activities in each of the 12 lessons can be completed in the time frame that works best for your classroom and schedule, whether all in one day or spread over several days.
Let’s get ready! Take time to familiarize yourself with this Teacher’s Guide. The Unit Overview PDF organizes the activities in each lesson by different times in the daily schedule. You can follow the schedule in the Overview or use it as a guide to plan a daily schedule that best fits your schedule.
The four sections of the Get Ready to Teach Science section will help you understand the program and how to feel comfortable using it in your classroom.
- Read Early Science with Nico & Nor to learn about different program components:
- Classroom activities
- Digital activities
- Home-school connection activities
- Read Early Science to understand the program’s approach to early science learning and find support for teachers and caregivers about helping children engage in science practices and participate in thoughtful science conversations.
- Read Linking Science with Math to learn how math can enrich science investigations. View activity examples that highlight meaningful connections between science and math concepts.
- Read Linking Science with Engineering to learn how engineering can enrich science investigations. View activity examples that highlight meaningful connections between science and engineering concepts.
Before the Plant Unit Begins…
Plant Some Seeds Early
Roll up your sleeves and explore! A week before you introduce the planting activities to the children, gather seeds and planting materials. "Plant" a few seeds yourself, in a plastic sandwich bag along with a moist paper towel, and observe how the seeds sprout and grow. Plant some seeds in soil as well. (Remember, when planting the seeds in soil, do not plant them too deep!) Plants need warmth, water, and light in order to grow. If possible, clear a space near a warm, sunny window for your children’s plants.
The day before the first lesson, soak 2 bean seeds per child, plus several more, in water. Also soak 2 other seeds per child (e.g. sunflower, nasturtium, radish, cat oats, chickpeas or lentils). Soaking the seed in water overnight will help them sprout in 2-4 days and poke through the soil in about 1 week.
The seeds suggested (see Materials list below) can grow quickly with the right amount of sunlight, warmth, and water, so children should have plenty to observe during the 4-week unit. Adapt the schedule as needed if the plants are growing particularly slowly.
Tips for Planting Seeds in Soil
- Soak bean seeds, sunflower seeds, and the other seed/s you have selected overnight, in cool water, in preparation for planting. This will make them germinate more quickly. (Or, follow the instructions on the seed packet.)
- Poke holes in the bottom of plastic planting containers. These holes allow extra water to drain out of the container. They also allow the soil to soak up water from the bowl in which the planting container sits.
- Fill the plastic containers most of the way with potting soil, then spray water on the soil to make it moist. Place 2-3 pre-soaked seeds on top of the soil, then cover the seed with a light coat of soil. Spray the soil on top of the seeds with water. The soil above and below the seeds should be thoroughly moist.
- Place the containers near a warm, sunny window. Check the moisture of the soil daily. If the soil feels dry, spray it with the water sprayer.
We Can All Be Scientists
Consider starting the unit with a day of activities that will give children a general introduction to exploring the world as a scientist.
Guided Small Group iPads
We recommend choosing and marking one specific iPad to use with all 4 Guided Small Groups during the plants unit. There is a different section within the app for each group to record their data. Using one iPad for all the groups makes it possible to compare photo entries from any group on a single tablet, using the Compare Class Plants tool in the Plants Journal app.
Materials
As you plan your schedule, gather the materials listed below and on each individual activity page for one week or the full unit. Review the activities and test out a few of the activities beforehand in order to anticipate problems or questions that might arise.
Apps
Download these Early Science apps onto your iPads. Familiarize yourself with each digital game and journal app. Before each use, make sure the iPads are charged and that the volume is adjusted appropriately. If you prefer NOT to use the in-app character audio, turn the iPad volume off.
Videos
Printables
- Wonder Farm Dice Game
- Bean Growth Sequence Cards
- My Bean Seed (drawing sheet and Plant Part sticker labels)
- From Seed to Plant (drawing sheet and Plant Part sticker labels)
- Plant Measuring Strip
- Nature Scavenger Hunt
- Fingerplay: "Dig a Little Hole"
- Fingerplay: "Five Little Plants"
- This Is the Way We Plant the Seeds: Lyrics
- Garden Mural Coloring Sheets
- Positional Words Chart
Books
- The Carrot Seed, by Ruth Krauss
- One Bean, by Anne Rockwell
- A Fruit is a Suitcase for Seeds, by Jean Richards
- Plants Feed Me, by Lizzy Rockwell
- Growing Vegetable Soup, by Lois Elhert
Other Materials
- Digital
- 4 iPads and chargers
- Optional: Projector and speakers
- Planting and Plant Care
- Different types of seeds
- Plastic sandwich bags
- Potting soil
- Containers for plants, such as yogurt cups and/or soup cans
- Spray bottle
- Dry kidney, red, or pinto beans
- Paper towels
- Plants for Class Garden
- Name labels
- Small stones
- Planter boxes, such as copy paper or plastic box lids
- Light source (sun or desk lamp with full-spectrum bulb)
- Color-coded labels
- Plastic bowls
- Plastic food storage containers
- Other Activities
- Copy paper
- Scissors (for teacher and children)
- Chart paper
- Markers, crayons, and/or colored pencils
- Sticky notes
- Glue sticks
- Construction paper
- Raffia, yarn, and/or cotton twine
- Plastic cups, such as 9 oz. (1 per child)
- Green file folders
- Masking tape
- Paper clips
- Chopsticks, pipe cleaners, pencils, thin rope, ribbon, and/or cardboard strips
- Clear tape
- Assorted seeds and plant images
- Paper plates
- 8 thin dowels
- 3/4" linking cubes (such as Unifix® cubes)
- Pen
- Cardboard box
- Brown paint
- Paint brush
- Mat board picture frames
- Cube-shaped gift boxes, 3” x 3” x 3”
- String or hula hoops
- Optional: Magnetic board or flannel board
- Optional: Magnetic tape, velcro, or felt
- Optional: Magnifying lenses
- Optional: Cardstock
- Optional: Clear sticker labels (Avery® 5630)
- Optional: Sticker labels (Avery® 5265)
- Snack
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Knife (for teacher)
- Cutting board
- Plastic wrap
- Salad bowls or plates
- Disposable bowls or plates
- Forks
- Napkins
- Optional: Salad dressing