Our plant life cycle activities are always a highlight of our year! We spend most of our fourth quarter studying the life cycles of plants, butterflies, frogs, and meal worms. It’s one of my most favorite times of the year and one that my kiddos really look forward to! Our end of the year open house falls during this time and we made these flower booklets from my Life Cycle of Plants unit to showcase our plant study.
However, we had few glitches! It was crazy-time there for a few days! Toward the end of our plant study our butterfly larva (aka little tiny caterpillars) arrived about two weeks earlier than expected! (glitch #1!) We couldn’t exactly put those on hold so we were double dippin’ back and forth between plant parts and chrysalis craziness!
We started out with a parts of a seed lab, observing, writing and comparing predictions about what we would find inside of our seeds. We then opened them, checked our predictions and labeled the parts. Next, we tried to germinated bean seeds. We put lima beans between damp paper towels inside a baggie and began observing, measuring and recording in our plant journals.
After a couple of days we got this and had to start over! (glitch #2)
I love how this student included the mold in her diagram!
We labeled diagrams of plants and wrote about the job of each plant part. We also
focused on the process of photosynthesis, then did a little expository writing
about how a plant makes its own food.
focused on the process of photosynthesis, then did a little expository writing
about how a plant makes its own food.
You can grab a copy of these charts in my TPT shop {HERE}
Throughout the unit we read several nonfiction books about plants, used thinking maps to label the parts of the whole, categorize the parts we eat, and illustrate the stages of the life cycle.
We also incorporated some comprehension strategies with
this little cause and effect activity.
this little cause and effect activity.
Along the way, students created mini-books with many of the activities to include in our flower foldables. We made mini plant vocabulary books, discussed and wrote about the job of each part of the plant, researched interesting plant facts, did a little informational writing with students explaining how photsynthesis works, the importance of chlorophyll to a plant, and why a leaf changes color in the fall. We saved the mini-books and then assembled our flowers in three parts. We put together the stem section first, gluing in all of the booklets and the roots. Next, we put together the flower section. Students had researched and written their facts in their journals and then transferred them onto the petals of the flower. Finally, we wrote about the job of the leaf and the roots and then attached those sections. I incorporated my reading and writing blocks by having students do the some of these activities during centers and writing time.
I saved this little activity for some Friday afternoon fun and my kids went to town making chlorophyll rubbings! I had everyone bring in some leaves and a metal spoon. We placed leaves between a folded sheet of paper and then rubbed really hard with the spoon…..and Voila! The kids had a ball!
We discovered that some leaves work better than others (glitch #3). Thick, glossy leaves with a slick feel don’t work as well! One of my kiddos, who was getting frustrated after rubbing furiously to no avail, said it best, “Mrs. Kamp, he just won’t give it up!”
We finished our projects just in time for our open house, glitches and all. This is how our bulletin board turned out with a little butterfly haiku to keep our flowers company!
These are just a few of the activities we did in our plant unit. You can find all of this
and much more in my Life Cycle of Plants Unit
and much more in my Life Cycle of Plants Unit
Happy planting, teacher friends!
Susy
My 3rd graders and I absolutely loved this unit this week! Because we the amount of paper used to make copies is constantly monitored at our school, I had to shrink all student plant pages onto one page. Nevertheless, their flowers came out beautifully. Again, thank you for all of the hard work you took to make this unit.
Madonna
I was curious if you sold your Foldable Flower Project Book seperately. I'm interested in purchasing just that part of the unit.
LoveN3rdgrade
Linda!!
I love this activity! I would love to see what you have been doing lately. I love awesome ideas like this. 🙂
Beth
This is AMAZING!! You have just saved me so much time planning…I downloaded the freebie, then bought the unit and now I'm heading off to be your newest follower! Thanks so much!!
Beth
Thinking of Teaching
Anna K.
Ohh thank you so much for your Plant Unit..!! Soon I'll start off with homeschooling and this will help me with this topic…New follower here!! Blessings!!
Linda
I'm so glad you like it Mandy! I hope your kiddos have fun!
Mandy
I just bought this last night and LOVED it!! Thank you so much for saving me so much time!!!
Mandy
Linda
That's a great idea, Dawn! I'll definitely try that this year. We're getting ready to start our plant unit soon, and I really appreciate you sharing that! The kids get so disappointed if their seeds don't grow!
I'm so glad you like the unit, I hope it saves you some planning time!
Dawn
Linda,
I have had MANY a ziplock baggies seeds mold over my years of teaching. Two years all molded except two. The 2 little boys' bags that didn't mold, I curiously asked WHY to the two boys. One said, "Because I added a drop of hand sanitizer to my paper towel and his paper towel." Last year I tried it and it worked!!
Thought I'd share a trick of the trade 🙂 Thanks for your WONDERFUL unit you have created!!
Chris
Wow! These are great ideas.
Courtney
love this! So happy I found your blog! missthirdgrade.com
hmichaud
Hi Linda!
I just happened across your blog this evening, you are amazing! I'm your newest follower! I can't wait to add your life cycle of plants unit to my wishlist at TpT!
http://cantmakethisstuffup-hmichaud.blogspot.com/
Linda
Hi Jaime! Thanks so much for stopping by! I'm glad you and your kiddos liked the plant unit! My kids had so much fun!
I'm headed over to your blog now!
Hope to chat again soon!
Linda
Bright Concepts 4 Teachers
I am so glad I found your blog! I recently purchased your plant unit and just finished it up a month ago. My kids loved it as did I because it was so clear and easy to teach. I just started my own blog and would love for you to check it out.
-Jaime
http://brightconcepts4teachers.blogspot.com
Linda
Thanks Lisa! I look forward to reading yours and thank you for finding me!
Have a great summer!
Linda
Linda
Hi Heather! Sorry for the delayed response, had graduation/ family festivities! I just followed you on the left side bar. That part wasn't showing up yesterday for some reason for me to retry. I also followed by email so I am fully following! :0). Let me know if it doesn't work as I don't want to miss anything on your blog!
Thank you for the info on adding a link! I'm headed back to your blog now to read the poem!
Linda
Lisa at Stories From Second
Thanks for stopping by my blog, so I could find yours, I LOVE your plant unit. It's on my wishlist now!
Lisa
Stories From Second
Heather's Heart
Linda,
I am still not showing up….grrrrr Blogger! Are you following me from the follow button on the side and not the top? It doesn't seem to work if you use the follow button at the top….at least not for me. =)
Here is a link about how to add a direct link back to your blog.
http://www.ladybugsteacherfiles.com/2011/02/leaving-direct-link-to-your-blog-in_20.html
I just posted a poem that I would love for you to come and read. =)
Blessings to you,
Heather
Heather's Heart
Linda
Hi Karla! Thanks for following! I'm headed your way right now.
Have a restful summer!
Linda
Hi Heather,
I just followed again, please let me know if I don't show up. Thank you so much for your support and the shout out! I hope I can get a few more posts up before then! Friday was our last day and I'm taking a few days to get my house back in order (Yikes!) and spend some time with my family.
Thank you again and I'm thrilled to have a new blogging buddy too!
(Can I ask you how you are able to add a link to your blog in a comment? I'd love to be able to do that!)
Linda
Heather's Heart
Linda,
Thank you so much for coming to visit and for the sweet and encouraging words you left. =)
I am having issues with Blogger and my followers. I am not showing up in the blogs you follow. Would you mind trying to follow me again? I am adding your blog to the blogs I am going to give a shout out to this summer.
I am happy to have a wonderful new blogging buddy! =)
Blessings to you,
Heather
Heather's Heart
Heather's Heart
Linda,
I love this post! Teaching plants is always one of my favorite things to do! We made an edible plant that I would love for you to check out!
I am going to put this on my wishlist!
I am happy to be your newest follower and I would love for you to come visit me when you get the chance. =)
Heather
Heather's Heart
KinderKarla
Just found your blog Linda- so cute and worth the wait! Have a great summer!
Linda
Thanks so much Stephanie! I really appreciate you stopping by and following! I follow you on TPT and I'm off to check out your blog!
Thanks again!
Linda
Stephanie
This unit looks amazing! I especially like the "chlorophyll rubbing" activity. I found your blog through TPT forum and I'm now following 🙂
❤ Stephanie
Falling Into First
Linda
Thanks so much, Candice! Mckenna at Project 3 Designs is really sweet and talented. I love how my blog turned out! She is crazy buzy and it took a couple of months to get to the top of the list, but worth the wait!
I'm so glad you like the plant unit. My kids had a ball with all of the activities!
I'm headed off to your blog right now. This might be a silly question, but I haven't figured it out yet. How did you add your link when leaving a comment?
Thanks again for following!
Candace Watkins
I love your blog! It is so cute! I am currently on the waiting list for a Project3 design! I can't wait after seeing yours! I also love this unit! I am going to be putting this on my wish list for next year! Thanks!
Candace
005 Watkins' Way
Linda
Thank you, Allison! I truly appreciate you stopping by and following- I'm headed to visit your blog now!
Linda
Linda
Hi Pamela! Thank you so much for stopping by and following! I'm in Mesa! Michelle from 3AM teacher and I are talking about planning a Blogger Meet Up this summer. If you would be interested please email me and I will let you know when we have details. kamp.linda@gmail.com.
Thank you for pinning my plant unit and I hope we can meet up this summer!
Linda
Alison Hislop
What great ideas! And such a lovely blog – I love your use of colours!
Alison
mathswithmeaning.blogspot.com.au
Pamela Fulk
I love your plant unit. I pinned it to my pinterest. You are very creative. I am also an Arizona teacher in Scottsdale and your newest follower.
Pamela
First Class Teacher
Linda
Thank you so much! I'm so glad you stopped by!
Liliris
Your life cycle of a plant unit looks fantastic. I love all the photographs you shared of your students in action. Thanks for sharing!
Linda
Hi there! Thank you so much for stopping by and following! I follow your Tpt store and am headed to your blog now.
thank you again!
Linda
Linda
Thanks Dawn! I'm so glad you like it. I really appreciate you visiting my blog!
Linda
Thank you Rachel, and thanks for following!
Linda
Thank you so much, Mona! I appreciate you stopping by!
Ms. Patterson
Congrats on starting the blog!
It is oh,so cute!
I am your newest follower
Pocket Full of Kinders
Dawn Gray
Your blog is adorable! Looks like your students are having a lot of fun learning about plants and that you are very creative.
Dawn
Rachel Seymour
Your blog is adorable and I LOVE your name!!! So cute!
What great plant activities. Looks like so much fun! 🙂
Rachel
A-B-Seymour
Mona
Hi Linda!
Your blog looks great! I love your plant unit. The chlorophyll rubbing is my favorite. I'm your newest follower!
Mona