The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project

Gardening for Our Classroom - Becoming a Plant

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Gardening for Our Classroom - Becoming a Plant

A 4-6 grade STEM lesson

M Pienta

2/2023

Notes for teachers

• This lesson will take place in a classroom for one or more 1 hour class periods.
• Students may work in small groups of 2-3.
• Students will write a picture book.
• Have students discuss- What would a seed say about its journey in becoming a plant?

List of Materials

• Journal
• iPad
• Book Creator app
• Pages
• Drawing Materials (Optional)
• Drawing Paper
• Drawing Pencils/Color Pencils
• Binding machine

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• Picture Books

Standards - Science

Science

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4.L1: Organisms are organized on a cellular basis and have a finite life span.

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4.L2: Organisms require a supply of energy and materials for which they often depend on, or compete with, other organisms.

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Science and Engineering Practices

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• ask questions and define problems
• develop and use models
• plan and carry out investigations
• analyze and interpret data
• use mathematical and computational thinking
• construct explanations and design solutions
• engage in argument from evidence
• obtain, evaluate and communicate information

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Standards - ELA

4.RI.3 Explain events, procedures, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text, including what happened and why, based on specific information in the text.

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4.W.3 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.

1. Introduce a topic clearly and group related information in paragraphs and sections; include formatting (e.g., headings), illustrations, and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension.
2. Develop the topic with facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples related to the topic.
3. Link ideas within categories of information using words and phrases (e.g., another, for example, also, because).
4. Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic.
5. Provide a concluding statement or section related to the information or explanation presented.

Objectives:

Today we will explain/describe in your our own words how a seed goes through its life cycle.

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Today we will describe a character, seed, using all senses.

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Today we will collaborate and communicate effectively with our partner to write a picture book using narration and pictures explaining the life cycle of a seed.

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Today students will be able to design, create and publish a picture book that explain the life cycle of a seed.

Agenda - Several Class Periods (45-60 min)

Session 1

• What is a seed?
• What’s the purpose of a seed?
• What are the parts of a seed?
• What does a seed needs to sprout?
• Write and Draw

Session 2

• What does a seed create?
• What is a plant?
• What are the parts of a plant?
• Write and Draw

Session 3

• Why are they various parts of the plant important?
• What is the function of the various parts of a plant?
• Write and Draw

Session 4

• Writing and Drawing
• Proofreading/Editing
• Publishing

Share or present

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• Have students work in groups of 2-3, and discuss the questions from the corresponding session, one at a time.
• Make sure students are also researching information for every question and taking notes.
• Students can start writing information in their journals for their book.
• Give groups enough time to either create their page on the book before moving on or wait until going over all of the lessons/questions to give plenty of time to create the book.

Suggested Daily Guide for the Duration of the Project

• A garden is a planned space, usually outdoors, set aside for the cultivation, display, and enjoyment of plants and other forms of nature.

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What is a Garden?

• A picture book combines visual and verbal narratives in a book format, most often aimed at young children. With the narrative told primarily through sequential images.

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• The phrase "picture book" is commonly used to describe a book, most often written for children, in which the content is conveyed through the use of words and pictures in combination or through pictures alone.

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What is a Picture Book?

Hands-on Activity Instructions

• Students will be in groups of 2-3
• Students will start by discussing the questions proposed for each session.
• Students will be collecting information on their journal and creating their own picture book.
• The picture book will be describing the journey of a seed from its own experience.
• Images may be helpful to show how things are setup.

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Assessment

The pair will be assessed by

• The information/facts written on how a seed becomes a plant.(Science)
• Students can explain the process and step to growing a seed. (Science)
• Written picture book - Use the state writing rubric. (ELA)

Differentiation

• Students can be provided with a template for the picture book.

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• Make sure students are in heterogeneous pairs/trios for better learning support.

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• Make sure students have plenty of examples and chances to collaborate with other groups.

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

• Students can share their books with the lower grades on a literacy event.

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• Students will visit classrooms and do book readings to different classes.

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• Students will also work with other grade levels to write their own picture book on a selected topic.