Roots, Stems, Leaves, & Flowers Make Me!

 

Do you want to know all about the parts of a plant?

 

 

 

 

 

Kids love science and discovering new things about the world we live in. Join us in our science class today as we read a book that is going to teach us all about plants and their parts. Each part of every plant has a very special job to do. So, let us take a look at the plants and job each part plays. Parts of a Plant written by Wiley Blevins is a nonfiction book that points out all of the different parts of a plant and their function. The illustrations show the parts of a plant including the roots, stem, and leaves. The author uses easy-to-read text that incorporates phonics instruction. The book goes through all of the stages of how a plant grows and how the stem, flowers, leaves and roots are essential to the growth. It begins with a seed being planted and forming roots. The word 'roots' is bolded and it then defines and explains what roots are and why plants need them. Each page has a similar explanation for each part of a plant. The book is somewhat dry and boring, but very informational and has pictures for the students to look at. This is a great science book to share among students. However, I think this book should only be used to inform since it is strictly content. I feel like there are other books with the same concept that are a lot more interesting and fun for kids.

Parts of a Plant correlates with the Georgia Performance Standard S1L1.c. Identify the parts of a plant-root, stem, leaf, and flower.

This book can be used to teach students about the four main attributes of a plant. To begin the lesson about plants, reading this book would make a great way to introduce the main concepts. After the book is read this allows the teacher time to discuss the different parts of a plant such as root, stem, leaf, and flower. After each part of the plant has been discussed, the students the students along with the teacher can focus on the illustrations as they depict each part of a plan. When the teacher has finished showing the illustrations, the students could then be given a handout which requires them to label each part of a plant properly. Students are then given the option to illustrate their own plants and then advised to talk with their classmates about the proper labeling and job of each part. At the end of the lesson and activities, the book could be read again as closure for the students to remind them of what they have just learned about plants.

 

Quack and Count is a book that introduces counting and addition. This book is about a family of seven ducks that slip, slide, leap and dive in groups of zero to seven. Each activity that the ducks get into separates them in groups. The book shows all of the number combinations for the number seven. The pictures are a great visual representation of the math. The ducks find themselves in situations such as two ducklings jumping into a pond where there are already five. The page shows the addition of two plus five equals seven. Other addition problems include a group of six and one showing six plus one equals seven or one group of three and one groups of four showing the addition of three plus four equals seven.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This book correlates with several Kindergarten Common Core Math Standards for Unit 4:

 

 

 MCCK.OA.1  Represent addition and subtraction with objects, fingers, mental images, drawings5, sounds (e.g., claps), acting out situations, verbal explanations, expressions, or equations.

MCCK.OA.2  Solve addition and subtraction word problems, and add and subtract within 10, e.g., by using objects or drawings to represent the problem.

 MCCK.OA.3  Decompose numbers less than or equal to 10 into pairs in more than one way, e.g., by using objects or drawings, and record each decomposition by a drawing or equation (e.g., 5 = 2 + 3 and 5 = 4 + 1).

MCCK.OA.4  For any number from 1 to 9, find the number that makes 10 when added to the given number, e.g., by using objects or drawings, and record the answer with a drawing or equation.

MCCK.OA.5  Fluently add and subtract within 5.

The book Quack and Count can be used in the classroom to teach counting strategies, number combinations and story problems. In the book the ducks are split into two sets. The two sets can always be added together to equal seven. This also shows the number combinations for seven and is in story problem form. This could be used as a fun review for these three concepts. The teacher could read the story to the students and ask the students to point out all of the combined sets they find. The students can even be asked to write their own number sentence for each number combination. I think this is a really cute book that I would definitely use in my classroom.

Charlie Hits It Big

So far we have spent 2 weeks blogging and have covered Traditional Literature and Poetry. This week we are going to add to the list by adding fiction.

The name of our book this week is Charlie Hits It Big, which is a funny little story about a Guinea Pig named Charlie who is making his way to Hollywood on a quest to be a SUPERSTAR!!

In this story Charlie, the guinea pig, left his owner, Sophie, a note telling her he was gone on a trip be back later. Charlie was actually going to Hollywood. When he made to Hollywood he joined a tour group and managed to sneak away on one of the movie sets. While on the set he was handed and script and Charlie read the lines so great he got the part in the movie. Everyone in Hollywood fell in love with him but even with fame, and all the food he wanted, he still felt lonely. In his loneliness he remembered the times him and Sophie would play and she would pet him till he fell asleep. This realization made Charlie pack up his things and take a taxi home. When he got to his house and knocked on the door no one answered. Just when he was discouraged a light came on and a he heard a voice say "Who's there?"  Sophie opened and was so excited for his homecoming, and when they went in the house Charlie saw his cage with a bag of his FAVORITE fruity nuts with a red bow tied on it. This was just another reminder why he came home.

This book was classified as fiction for a number of reasons. The type of fiction this book falls under is fantasy. There are several reasons that this is a non-fiction fantasy book. Not only can guinea pigs not talk but they also can’t ride in airplanes or take taxis like Charlie did in this story. Also, they can’t become Hollywood actors that go to fancy clothes stores for an outfit. The conflict in this fantasy was Charlie against himself, because he thought he wanted some fancy superstar lifestyle in Hollywood and was quickly reminded that he loved being home more. The theme of the book also taught the reader to be thankful for what you have instead of wishing for things or lifestyle that might not bring you can happiness. The setting of the book was also VERY OBVIOUS. It tells the reader numerous times that Charlie is in Hollywood and when he goes home it tells of where he is headed. The point of view for this story is in the perspective form as if someone else is telling the story about Charlie and his journey away from home.

This was a very fun big and would be a great book to use when teaching what fantasy books are because I think it includes a lot of obvious elements that the students would be able to point out in discussion.