Learning About Plants with National Geographic

A B C D E F Gee we had fun learning about plants using My National Geographic Connect.

This online curriculum  offers K-12 educators resources that align to and support the Common Core State Standards. 

As taken from the website: 

"National Geographic has a long history of providing high-quality informational texts suitable for primary, upper elementary, middle, and high school English language arts, social studies, and science classrooms. National Geographic’s Common Core collection brings together both free resources and resources for sale from National Geographic Education, National Geographic Kids, National Geographic magazine, National Geographic Kids Books, National Geographic Explorer, and National Geographic Learning. "

                            http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/ngs-common-core/?ar_a=1

National Geographic’s high-quality materials support the pedagogical shifts outlined by the Common Core State Standards, including:  

• balancing informational and literary text—students read a true balance of informational and literary texts
• knowledge in the disciplines—building knowledge about the world through text rather than the teacher or activities
• staircase of complexity—students do close readings of the central, grade-appropriate text around which instruction is centered
• text-based answers—students engage in rich and rigorous evidence-based conversations about text
• writing from sources—writing emphasizes use of evidence from sources to inform or make an argument
• academic vocabulary—students constantly build the transferable vocabulary they need to access grade-level complex texts

The month of September was dedicated to learn about Plants and Animals. The children are so into Science now knowing that all of them can be little scientists.

We are so privileged to use this big book with wonderful pictures which are so rich in colors and details. The book also has big ideas which are very essential. 

                                      .

 I brought different kinds of plants in the classroom and encouraged every student to look closer to the plants and share their observation.

They were told that cacti are spiky but hey, those little hands are unstoppable:)

                              Their teacher got her finger pricked. Ouch!

Leaves can be alike and different. We went outside and collected different leaves and had a 

 "Compare and Contrast" mini lesson. We discussed how leaves can be alike and different.

Plants have different parts. We discussed how each part takes its role for the plant to grow and survive.

Our tables were covered with dirt and leaves yet we didn't care. We just love how our hands and room get messy when learning invades our class.

You choose!