ROOM 227
Our Explorations
In this unit, we are exploring trees. Our main text that we focus our learning on is Are Trees Alive? by Debbie S. Miller.
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Our big questions for this unit are:
Are trees alive?
How are trees like us?
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See how our tree study relates to six areas of emphasis below and images of the children working on the Home page!
Reading
Our exploration of trees is rich in literacy development! With our main text, Are Trees Alive?, we are comparing books and ideas, expanding our vocabulary, and reading multiple books a day.
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Standards: K.RI.CS.4, K.RI.IKI.9, & K.RI.KID + many more!
Science
Our tree exploration provides many opportunities to explore science concepts while also getting to know the trees themselves! We have studied young plants and animals through a look at tree life cycles, as well as drawing and labeling objects in the environment (especially the parts of trees!).
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Standards: K.LS3.1 1) & K.ETS1 2) + many more!
Writing
Writing is a very important part of our tree unit! We are using art materials to sketch our surroundings and also drawing comparisons between children's bodies and trees to illustrate how trees are alive just like people.
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Standards: K.RI.IKI.7 & K.FL.VA.7c + many more!
Social Studies
Our study of tree life cycles was a great opportunity to explore words and phrases related to time and chronological order, such as "next," "tommorrow," "year," and "after."
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Standards: K.17 + many more!
Mathematics
One of the biggest opportunities for math learning during our explorations of trees are observing the differences in the height of trees, in books and around our classroom.
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Standards: K.MD.C.4 & K.MD.A.2 + many more!
Technology
In Room 227, technology is a critical part to how we learn every day! Children have used technology in the classroom, including SmartBoards and iPads, to build their knowledge about the tree life cycle, different kinds of trees, and how seeds become trees.
How Can You Become involved at home?
There are several ways you can explore trees with your children in the home!
When you come into contact with nature, whether you're in the car, walking home from school, or just hanging out in the backyard, point trees out to your child and encourage them to identify the parts of the trees!
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Use this chart to guide your tree explorations with your child!
You can also sing songs with your child!
The Trees are Growing!
Sung to the tune of "The Farmer in the Dell"
(Raise arms above head, fingers touching)
The trees are growing tall,
The trees are growing tall.
With soil and rain and sunny days,
The trees are growing tall.
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(Stretch arms out horizontally)
The trees are growing branches,
The trees are growing branches.
With soil and rain and sunny days,
The trees are growing branches.
(Wiggle fingers)
The trees are growing leaves,
The trees are growing leaves.
With soil and rain and sunny days,
The trees are growing leaves.
(Run hands up and down sides)
The trees are growing bark,
The trees are growing bark.
With soil and rain and sunny days,
The trees are growing bark.
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(Bend over and touch the floor)
The trees are growing roots,
The trees are growing roots.
With soil and rain and sunny days,
The trees are growing roots.
Parts of a Tree!
Sung to the tune of "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes"
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Optional Body Movements
Leaves: touch your head
Branches: extend your arms
Trunks: touch your stomach
Roots: touch your toes
Leaves, branches, trunks, and roots
Trunks and roots!
Leaves, branches, trunks, and roots
Trunks and roots!
Buds and seeds and sap and fruits
Leaves, branches, trunks, and roots
Trunks and roots!
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Repeat three times