Last week we began our new science unit which features an in-depth study of organisms. We used activities around the theme of pumpkins to build interest and as an introduction to the world of living things. We have talked about the life cycle of pumpkins, read many books featuring pumpkins, planted pumpkin seeds, weighed pumpkins, measured pumpkins, checked to see if they would sink or float, and visited the pumpkin patch.
Now we have moved beyond pumpkins to list other living things. We have made charts of how plants and animals are alike and how they are different. Next we will be studying seeds. We will use four of our senses (see, hear, smell, and feel) to examine some seeds, and to compare how they are alike and different. Next we will talk about what plants need to live and be healthy before we plant four different kinds of seeds. Daily we will watch how our seeds grow and change. In a few weeks the class will be divided into groups of four to work together to set up terrariums and aquariums for each group. (Let's keep this a secret for now!) This will lead into our study of comparing animals and what they need to live and be heathy.
The unit on organisms contain 17 separate lessons and will continue into January and February. Some will be conducted in each kindergarten homerooms and others will be part of our weekly science activities in the kindergarten common area on Thursday afternoons with our science parent volunteers. These lessons all include hands-on activities, discussions, observations, predictions, and journal response writing.
What a meaningful and exciting way to study living things. Let the learning begin!
