Growth
5/15/2021
Spring! The time of year when babies and growth appear in the plant and animal world, and the theme for the last science unit of first grade! For the past month, first-grade students have enjoyed the increase of sunshine and warmer temperatures while also learning how animals care for their young and how people can care for plants. One of the first-grade science standards is to “read texts and use media to determine patterns in behavior of parents and offspring that help offspring survive (1.LS1.2).” Each student selected an animal parent to learn about. They researched and wrote about how their animal protects, teaches, and provides its young with things it needs, like food, warmth, and shelter. While researching, many noticed the similarities between how animals care for their young and how their own human parents care for them. As the class moved into plants, one big question was, “why is it important to grow our own plants?” One thing that stood out was the need for food. Sadly, some parents do not have the resources to provide their children what they need, like food, even here in Anchorage, and are often looking for creative and cost-effective ways to provide for their children. So, how can we help? Mrs. Bookman, the Director of Enrichment & Special Programs here at PNA, came in for a visit. She talked to the students about how PNA uses its garden to grow fruits and vegetables for Children’s Lunchbox, which provides meals to children and families in need. Students were delighted to hear this and were ready to do their part! They are discovering that “all people, not just official leaders, play an important role in a community (CIV.1.2).” Students started off germinating seeds, which were later planted in soil. They enjoyed being surprised by their plants growth each day and taking on the responsibility of caring for their plant by watering it and making sure it was being given what it needed! While the peas went through each stage of it's life cycle, students learned about it's structures and functions. To help students understand the function of the stem, which is to suck water up to the rest of the plant like a straw, they added food coloring to water and watched as flowers and celery changed color. Another structure that students enjoyed learning about was the fruit. They learned that the function of fruit is to protect the seed.. unless, of course, you have a group of hungry first graders! Students also discovered that plants survive best in certain environments because they are getting more of what they need (water, sun, & nutrients). They compared the growth of a potato in a warm, moist environment to that of a potato in a cold, dark environment. As their peas have grown, students have been making “observations to construct an evidence-based account that young plants and animals are like, but not exactly like, their parents (1.LS3.1).” They have noticed that the peas growing in the classroom are growing at different rates and look different -- some have long stems, and some have more leaves. To support this, they made their own paper flowers using parts of parent flowers. They also helped identify parent plants and animals by looking at images of their offspring. Just like humans, they inherit different traits from their parents. Just as the students enjoyed seeing the growth of their plants and helping the greater community, it has been a treasure seeing the growth of each of them. They are a unique group of students and a light to this world. They have a special bond. They support and lift others up, lead with integrity, and have adapted and thrived in this new time. Thank you for entrusting them to Pacific Northern Academy; for allowing PNA to educate, care for, and provide a safe space for them to grow into their own authentic selves. They are a reminder of all of the love, joy, and hope in this world.
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Hali TuomiMs. Tuomi has over five years experience in ASD, where she taught first and fifth grade classrooms. An avid skier, Ms. Tuomi is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Alaska Pacific University’s Bachelor of Arts in K-8 Education. Archives
April 2021
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