Planting Seeds
Will seeds grow without soil? Our first graders made their predictions. Then each student set up the experiment. Three lima beans were placed in a wet paper towel. The towel was place inside a small plastic baggie. The baggies were placed on the window sills in our classroom. Within 24 hours, we observed changes in the beans. First, the seeds swelled, then the seed coats cracked, and roots began to grow. After 8 days, we moved the seeds to pots of soil. The plants continued to grow.
Classifying Animals
Using posters and our science text, students learn to identify animal groups based on their characteristics. There are 6 groups: mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians and insects. Students use magazine photos of animals to put them into the groups based on their knowledge of the animals and each group of animals.
Penguins
Our study of penguins is an inquiry based unit. Students learn how to use various materials to research these amazing birds. Students were given access to fact cards, books, articles and videos from Discovery Education. Using these materials, students were able to identify 17 different types of penguins, what they eat, where they live, and penguin predators. After collecting the information, students assembled a penguin book.
One class activity involved standing next to a penguin character that represents the size of the Emperor Penguin. Students stood next to it to determine if they were taller than it.
One class activity involved standing next to a penguin character that represents the size of the Emperor Penguin. Students stood next to it to determine if they were taller than it.
Solar System
After learning about the moon and the stars, our first graders focus on the planets. Using materials found in our classroom, students gather facts about each of the planets. Working in small groups, the children assembled models of the solar system. Each model has the sun, the inner planets, the asteroid belt, and the outer planets.
Dinosaurs
This is our second inquiry based unit. Students are researching and learning more about the dinosaurs. The class viewed videos about the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous time periods. They are identifying dinosaurs that lived in each time period by gathering photos and creating a timeline. Students are learning about dinosaur teeth and diet as well as how each type of dinosaur protected itself.