This week we took a look at how flowering plants grow: The seed germinates, the plant grows, the plant flowers, the plant produces fruit and the seeds are dispersed. It was a simple introduction to plant lifecycle, we based our study off of our Exploring Nature With Children curriculum.
As we studied about the lifecycle of a plant, I thought it would be fun to add a little bit of gardening observation to this unit. It was a great idea and perfect timing. We had just cleaned out our raised beds outside to prepare them for Spring, so Levi was able to go through the process of weeding, collecting seeds, transplanting seedlings to the garden beds and so forth.
I love family projects like this, this is why we homeschool!
Nature Books:
Here are some books we used for this unit!
A Seed in Need: A first look at the plant cycle by Sam Godwin
A Seed is Sleepy by Dianna Hutts Aston
A Bean's Life Cycle by Mary R. Dunn
It Starts With a Seed by Laura Knowles
In the Garden: Who's Been Here? by Lindsay Barrett George
Tudo Começa na Semente - Como os Alimentos Crescem - Edição Usborne
Materials:
We used a few different materials this week, here's some of our most used materials:
1. Handmade Felt Garden Set by Rose & Rex (Click here to shop)
We loved using this material! This is a handmade, soft wool garden that comes with 18 veggies and four separate garden beds with slots for planting. I love that the box is raised so curious kids can see what’s happening under the soil.
We raised a few questions while using this set: Where does food come from? Who grows it? How does it transform from seed to food?
I like to incorporate toys that encourage make-believe into our homeschool environment, they help my children process the world around them while creating an opportunity for learning different life skills, such as language, communication, care-taking abilities and a sense of responsibility.
The kids have been loving playing with the vegetables in their little play kitchen, this has been such a fun toy for them.
2. Life Cycle Of A Green Bean Plant by Safari Ltd. (Click here to shop)
3. Printable cards by Pinay Homeschooler (Click here to shop)
Nature Walk:
On this week's nature walk we went on a treasure hunt to look for unique seeds. We were able to find some that we had seen in one of our books! Sometimes all you need is a good walk through nature to realize you don't need a curriculum, because nature teaches it all.
And here's a video we had fun watching:
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P.s.: Our Unit Shelf is from Sprout Kids and can be purchased here.
xx,
Bru Masalin
