This resource is a dense multi-lesson unit that begins with a picture book and then uses five activities to teach students about ecology, scientific observation, seasonal changes in ecosystems, the water cycle, and much more.
The book that kicks off this unit is available in several languages and can be printed, downloaded, or projected, and the lessons that accompany it are easily differentiated for learners at several levels.
Teaching Tips
Positives
This resource includes many fun, hands-on learning activities that are related to the picture book.
Each of the three learning activities includes worksheets, differentiation ideas, and extension activities.
Additional Prerequisites
Materials needed to complete all the activities include rulers, measuring tape, plant seeds, soil, planting containers, magnifying lenses, paper, scissors, pencils, salt, sugar, black construction paper, white chalk, aquarium tank, sand, water,
Students should have knowledge about comparison terms (like less than, equal to) and the water cycle.
Differentiation
This resource includes cross-curricular connections in foreign language learning, language arts, math, social studies, science, and art.
After reading the picture book as a whole class, older students may enjoy completing the three additional activities in a station-rotation model. Set up each experiment at a table and have groups cycle through the stations over several days.
The included coloring pages would make a great component of a reflection activity.
Scientist Notes
This book demonstrates the importance of observational data to track changes in our environment. Without repeated observations, scientists will not be able to determine if there are significant changes or not. Students would be excited to gain deep insights from this resource and explore the world around them. Although in page 17 of the book, educators should note that when determining stream velocity, the stick that was used for the study must have the same mass as the previous one. Above all, there is a high confidence in this resource and is recommended for teaching.
Standards
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
ESS2: Earth's Systems
K-ESS2-1 Use and share observations of local weather conditions to describe patterns over time.
LS1: From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
K-LS1-1 Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
1-LS1-2 Read texts and use media to determine patterns in behavior of parents and offspring that help offspring survive.
LS3: Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits
1-LS3-1 Make observations to construct an evidence-based account that young plants and animals are like, but not exactly like, their parents.
LS4: Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity
2-LS4-1 Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
3-LS4-3 Construct an argument with evidence that in a particular habitat some organisms can survive well, some survive less well, and some cannot survive at all.
PS3: Energy
K-PS3-1 Make observations to determine the effect of sunlight on Earth’s surface.
Common Core English Language Arts Standards (CCSS.ELA)
Reading: Literature (K-12)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.1 Ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.3 Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story, using key details.
Speaking & Listening (K-12)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.1 Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 1 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.5 Add drawings or other visual displays to descriptions when appropriate to clarify ideas, thoughts, and feelings.
Common Core Math Standards (CCSS.MATH)
Counting & Cardinality (K)
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.CC.B.4 Understand the relationship between numbers and quantities; connect counting to cardinality.
Measurement & Data (K-5)
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.1.MD.A.1 Order three objects by length; compare the lengths of two objects indirectly by using a third object.
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.1.MD.A.2 Express the length of an object as a whole number of length units, by laying multiple copies of a shorter object (the length unit) end to end; understand that the length measurement of an object is the number of same-size length units that span it with no gaps or overlaps. Limit to contexts where the object being measured is spanned by a whole number of length units with no gaps or overlaps.
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.2.MD.A.4 Measure to determine how much longer one object is than another, expressing the length difference in terms of a standard length unit.
World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages (ACTFL)
Connections: Connect with other disciplines and acquire information and diverse perspectives in order to use the language to function in academic and career-related situations.
3.1 Making Connections: Learners build, reinforce, and expand their knowledge of other disciplines while using the language to develop critical thinking and to solve problems creatively.
National Core Arts Standards
Visual Arts: Standard 1 - Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
VA:Cr1.1.1a Engage collaboratively in exploration and imaginative play with materials.
