Dinosaurs

Our students read "Mr. Bones", a story about a real life paleontologists during our literacy block.  After reading the story, we discussed what a paleontologist is, what they do, and what tools they might use.  During our science center that week, our students got to act as paleontologists.  They received a chocolate chip cookie (their dig site) and their tools (a "brush" and a tooth"pick").  Then they had to dig out their fossils (chocolate chips).  They had to use great patience and delicate movements, ensuring they did not damage their fossils.  They got a small glimpse at what it would be like to be a real paleontologist.

After students finished digging out their fossils, they had to write the steps that they went through to excavate their fossils.  They thoroughly enjoyed this activity -- especially when they got to eat their fossils and dig site (their cookie - ha ha ha!).

Plant Life Cycle

In first grade we study about the parts of plants and the plant life cycle.  To wrap up our unit of study, the students created a semi- 3-d "model" of the parts of a flower and wrote the steps of the plant life cycle using their sequencing vocabulary - first, next, then, after that, last, etc.

To create the flower petals, students cut slits in a cupcake liner.  In the middle of the liner, students glued real flower seeds to show where new flower seeds are produced.  The stem is a pipe cleaner.  The leaves were cut from brown construction paper.  The roots are drawn on with marker.  In the past, I used brown yarn for the roots, but this year magically I lost my yarn.  Markers will work just as well.  The soil, grass, and sky are layered construction paper.  Students fringed the green layer to appear more like grass.  Students then add labels for each plant part.  If they want, they may add embellishments like a sun and clouds.