HOW IT WORKS
A Planting We Will Go/Grow is an interdisciplinary
project in which multiple learning styles of
the students are stimulated with a variety
of techniques. Students explore the process of
germination and the parts of a plant, create a
slide show depicting their findings, and learn
some valuable life lessons.
Students read The Empty Pot by Demi, a
modern-day folk tale that explores Chinese
culture and geography. Appreciation of other
cultures is developed and nurtured. In the story,
an emperor gives one seed to every child to
plant. They do not know that the seeds were
cooked already, and will not grow. The theme
is “Honesty is the best policy.” The students
discuss the language arts/reading aspect of
the folk tale, and identify with the character
learning a valuable lesson: no matter who you
are or from which culture you come, certain
values remain constant. A reading/writing
connection is developed and strengthened as the
project progresses. Children also choose a life
lesson that they will illustrate in a short story.
The students go on a field trip to Forest
Park (several blocks from the school) to observe and record the process of
germination. These trips are planned in advance with
the Forest Park Rangers. Several trips are
made to observe, record, draw, and measure
the growth pattern of the plants. Students
make and revise predictions based on their
previous findings. The measurements are
converted using both metric and customary units.
Graphs are created to illustrate the growth
pattern of the plants. Research is done to further
explain the parts of a plant and the process of
germination.
Students create the graphics depicting the
different growth stages using Kid Pix Studios
and ClarisWorks, and create a slide show with
narration explaining the process of
germination. A graphic illustration of a plant is
produced and labeled, and the students construct
graphs of the growth stages in germination.
THE STUDENTS
There are thirty fourth graders involved in this
program, which is adaptable for all elementary
grades. Students work on the classroom-based
computers on a daily basis. There are many
different instructional strategies used for
this project: whole group, cooperative groups,
and independent work that address the variety
of learning styles in the classroom.
THE STAFF
Lisa Jimenez is a fourth grade teacher at PS
90Q. Catherine Donaruma-Canzoneri, a staff
developer at PS 90Q, also assisted on this
project.
WHAT YOU NEED
This program can be done in a regular
classroom using computers equipped with Kid Pix
Studios and ClarisWorks. The books are
borrowed from the school and public libraries.
Several walking trips are necessary in order to
make observations about plants and plant growth. Measurement tools are needed on the
trips.
OVERALL VALUE
A Planting We Will Go/Grow is an all-inclusive
project that incorporates all disciplines of learning,
making it a truly meaningful experience for the
students. It fosters a sense of unity and
tolerance among the children, teaching them major
life lessons as well as life skills, i.e., human
relations, recording data, investigating, making
predictions, etc. Students read and
comprehend informational material, write a response
to literature using critical processes,
participate in group meetings, and demonstrate a
basic understanding of the rules of the English
language. It can be adapted to any grade level
by simplifying or intensifying the project to
meet the needs of the students. |