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Carle, E. (2009). The Tiny Seed. Little Simon.

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The theme for this unit is plants, and there are many important reasons for children to learn about them. First, learning about plants helps kids connect with and appreciate the nature around them, fostering a lifelong respect for the environment. Additionally, it encourages curiosity and exploration through hands-on and visual activities, which promote higher-order thinking as children analyze, observe, and ask questions. This theme also lays a foundation for understanding biology and scientific concepts later on. Furthermore, engaging with plants aids in developing students' sensory and fine motor skills through activities such as planting seeds, touching soil, watering plants, and smelling flowers. This experience teaches students how to be responsible for caring for a plant and helps them understand the needs necessary for a plant to survive. Lastly, this theme allows us to incorporate cross-curricular activities, linking subjects such as math, reading, and art.

K.12A: observe and identify the dependence of plants on air, sunlight, water, nutrients in the soil, and space to grow

K.13: (A) identify the structures of plants, including roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits; (C) identify and record the changes from seed, seedling, plant, flower, and fruit in a simple plant life cycle; and

(D) identify ways that young plants resemble the parent plant.

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1. Introduction of Plants

2. Plant Parts and Functions

3. What Plants Need to Grow

4. Types of Plants

5. Life Cycle of Plants

6. Importance of Plants and Connection to People

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Plants - a living thing that grows in the ground that use sunlight to grow

Soil - the stuff that covers the ground and allows plants to grow

Leaves - a flat, usually green part of a plant that grows from the stem

Roots - part of a plant that usually grows underground

Seeds - the small part of a plant that can grow into a new plant

Stems - grow up from the ground that support the branches, leaves, flowers, and other plant parts

Flower - the part of a plant that makes fruit or seeds

Fruit - holds the seeds (like apples or strawberries)

Grow - to get bigger or change

Sprout - a new growth from a seed or root

Life Cycle - how a plant grows and changes

Photosynthesis - a chemical process in which a green plant uses sunlight to create food for itself

Oxygen - plants make oxygen for other living things to breathe in

Sunlight - light that comes from the sun

Water - liquid plants need to grow

Air - what people breathe

Nutrients - something in food that helps people, animals, and plants to live and grow

Seedlings - a young plant or plant growth from a seed

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The Needs of a Plant (song for kids about 5 things plants need to live)

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Thematic Unit Plants Mind Map Jade Spangler

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Stevens, J. (1995). Tops and Bottoms. Harcourt Brace.

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There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Leaves - Lucille Colandro

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There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Leaves - Lucille Colandro

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Colandro, L. (2010). There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Leaves. Cartwheel Books.

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Seeds (Plant Parts) - Vijaya Khisty Bodach

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Seeds (Plant Parts) - Vijaya Khisty Bodach

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Bodach, V. K. (2016). Seeds (Plant Parts). Capstone Pr Inc.

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Roots (Plant Parts) - Vijaya Khisty Bodach

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Roots (Plant Parts) - Vijaya Khisty Bodach

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Bodach, V. K. (2016). Roots (Plant Parts). Capstone Pr Inc.

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Leaves (Plant Parts) - Vijaya Khisty Bodach

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Leaves (Plant Parts) - Vijaya Khisty Bodach

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Bodach, V. K. (2016). Leaves (Plant Parts). Capstone Pr Inc.

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Stems (Plant Parts) - Vijaya Khisty Bodach

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Stems (Plant Parts) - Vijaya Khisty Bodach

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Bodach, V. K. (2006). Stems (Plant Parts). Pebble Plus.

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Fruits (Pebble Plus: Plant Parts) - Vijaya Khisty Bodach

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Fruits (Pebble Plus: Plant Parts) - Vijaya Khisty Bodach

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Bodach, V. K. (2007). Fruits (Pebble Plus: Plant Parts). Pebble Plus.

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Flowers (Plant Parts) - Vijaya Khisty Bodach

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Flowers (Plant Parts) - Vijaya Khisty Bodach

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Bodach, V. K. (2016). Flowers (Plant Parts). Capstone Pr Inc.

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Gibbons, G. (1991). From Seed to Plant. Holiday House.

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Jordan, H. J. (1992). How a Seed Grows. HarperCollins.

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McQuinn, A. (2017). Lola Plants a Garden. Charlesbridge.

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Carle, E. (2009). The Tiny Seed. Little Simon.

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Nelson, K. (2015). If You Plant a Seed. HarperCollins.

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Seed to Plant (National Geographic Kids) - Kristin Baird Rattini

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Seed to Plant (National Geographic Kids) - Kristin Baird Rattini

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Rattini, K. B. (2014). Seed to Plant. National Geographic Kids.

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Ehlert, L. (2003). Planting a Rainbow. Clarion Books.

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Worth, B. (2001). Oh, Say Can You Seed?. Random House Books for Young Readers.

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Page, R. (2019). Seeds Move!. Beach Lane Books.

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Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt - Kate Messner

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Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt - Kate Messner

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Messner, K. (2017). Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt. Chronicle Books.

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Parts of a Plant (Phonic Readers) - Wiley Blevins

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Parts of a Plant (Phonic Readers) - Wiley Blevins

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Blevins, W. (2003). Parts of a Plant (Phonic Readers). Compass Print Books.

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Krauss, R. (2020). The Carrot Seed. HarperCollins.

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Green Green: A Community Gardening Story - Marie and Baldv Lamba

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Green Green: A Community Gardening Story - Marie and Baldv Lamba

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Lamba, M. & Lamba, B. (2017). Green Green: A Community Gardening Story. Farrar, Straus, and Giroux (BYR).

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Video Show: The Magic School Bus - Spring has Sprung

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Video Show: The Magic School Bus - Spring has Sprung

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Spring Has Sprung! | Gets Planted | Full Episode | The Magic School Bus

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First you take a seed and you plant it in the ground (pinch fingers together and tap on hand palm)

The ground, the ground - you plant it in the ground (keep tapping on the palm)

Then you get some water and you pour it all around (pretend to pour water out of a water can)

Around, around - you pour it all around Then you give it air (blow softly with mouth)

And then you give it time (pretend to tap on a wristwatch)

Then a tree will start to grow (use both arms to show tree growing)

Well, ain't that fine

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Miss Nina - Music & Movement for Preschool

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Children's Rhyme: Planting A Tree - Fingerplay and Chant for Preschool Kids & Toddlers

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Do You Know the Parts of Plants? Tune: Head, Shoulders, Knees, And Toes

Do you know the parts of plants,
Parts of plants?
Do you know the parts of plants,
Parts of plants?
All kinds of plants that grow and grow and grow.
Do you know the parts of plants,
Parts of plants?

The roots hold the plant in place,
Plant in place.
The roots hold the plant in place,
Plant in place.
The roots store food and water, too.
The roots hold the plant in place,
Plant in place.

The stem move water up the plant,
Up the plant.
The stem move water up the plant,
Up the plant.
The stem brings water to the leaves.
The stem move water up the plant,
Up the plant.

The leaves soak up the sun,
Soak up the sun.
The leaves soak up the sun,
Soak up the sun.
The sun helps the plant to grow and grow and grow.
The leaves soak up the sun,
Soak up the sun.

The flower grows into a fruit,
Into a fruit.
The flower grows into a fruit,
Into a fruit.
Inside the fruit are little tiny seeds.
The flower grows into a fruit,
Into a fruit.

The Gardener Plants the Seeds (Tune "Farmer in the Dell")

The gardener plants the seeds.
The gardener plants the seeds.
High ho the derry oh,
The gardener plants the seeds.

Second Verse: The rain falls on the ground.
Third Verse: The sun shines bright and warm.
Fourth Verse: The seeds begin to grow.
Fifth Verse: Flowers grow everywhere. OR The flowers smile at us.

Little Seed (Tune: I'm a Little Teapot)

Here's a little seed in the dark, dark ground.
Out comes the warm sun, yellow and round.
Down comes the rain, wet and slow.
Up comes the little seed, grow, grow, grow!

This is the Way We Plant the Seeds (Tune: Mulberry Bush)

This is the way we plant the seeds,
Plant the seeds, plant the seeds,
This is the way we plant the seeds,
Early in the springtime.

Other Verses: This is the way we dig the hole...
This is the way we put in the seeds...
This is the way we cover the seeds...
This is the way we water the seeds...
This is the way we check the seeds...

Mister Carrot (Fingerplay)

Nice Mister Carrot
Make curly hair, (Hand on head)
His head grows underneath the ground (Bob head)
His feet up in the air. (Raise feet)

And early in the morning
I find him in his bed (Close eyes, lay head on hands)
And give his feet a great big pull (Stretch legs out)
And out comes his head!

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Other Verses: This is the way we dig the hole...
This is the way we put in the seeds... This is the way we cover the seeds...
This is the way we water the seeds...
This is the way we check the seeds…

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7:50-8:10 Arrival & Morning Brain Bins (child-directed)

8:10-8:30 Morning Meeting (whole group: calendar, weather, schedule)

8:30-9:00 Literacy/Language Arts (whole group)

Shared reading, phonics, sight words

9:00-9:30 Morning Center Rotations

9:30-9:45 Morning Snack & Storytime (whole group)

9:45-10:15 Math Block

9:45-10:00 Math Mini-Lesson (whole group)

10:00-10:15 Hands-on math activities

10:15-11 Science or Social Studies

Mini-lesson and exploration time

11:00-11:30 Lunch (whole group)

11:30-12 Recess (child-directed outdoor play)

12:00-12:30 Midday Center Rotations

12:30-1:00 Rest Time

1:00-2:00 Special (whole group: Art, Music, PE, Library - varies by day)

2-2:30 Writer's Workshop

Mini-lesson, independent writing, teacher conferences

2:30-2:45 Afternoon Snack (child-directed)

2:45-2:55 Clean Up & Pack Up (child-directed)

3:55-3:05 Closing Circle (whole group)

Adapted from the kindergarten class I observed at Taylor Elementary under Mrs. Watson.

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Reading Nook

Enrichment:

Add books about plants, gardens, trees, fruits, and vegetables

Add felt story pieces (parts of a flower) and reading buddies (bee, butterfly, flowers)

Materials List:

Plant Life Cycle Books

Flower Identification Books

Reading Buddies (bee, butterfly, flower)

Felt board with plant life cycle visuals

Kindergarten ELAR TEKS:

K.1(C) share information and ideas by speaking audibly and clearly using the conventions of language.

K.2D

(i) identifying the front cover, back cover, and title page of a book;

(ii) holding a book right side up, turning pages correctly, and knowing that reading moves from top to bottom and left to right with return sweep;

(iii) recognizing that sentences are comprised of words separated by spaces and recognizing word boundaries;

(iv) recognizing the difference between a letter and a printed word; and

(v) identifying all uppercase and lowercase letters

K.4 Developing and sustaining foundational language skills: listening, speaking, reading, writing, and thinking--self-sustained reading. The student reads grade-appropriate texts independently. The student is expected to self-select text and interact independently with text for increasing periods of time.

Writing Lab

Enrichment:

Set up a "Plant Journal" station where kids can draw and label parts of plants

Letter tracing sheets with plant words (seed, root, stem, leaf, flower, etc)

Materials List:

Plant labeling sheets

Word wall with plant vocabulary

Journals and markers/pencils

Kindergarten ELAR & Science TEKS:

ELAR K.2D(iv) recognizing the difference between a letter and a printed word.

ELAR K.6(E) interact with sources in meaningful ways, such as illustrating or writing.

ELAR K.6(F) respond using newly acquired vocabulary as appropriate.

Science K.13(A) identify the structures of plants, including roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits

Math Zone

Enrichment:

Use plastic flowers or seed counters for counting activities

Create pattern block gardens (flowers, leaves)

Materials List:

Mini plastic plants or flower counters

Pattern block templates (flower shapes)

See sorting by size/type activities

Kindergarten Math TEKS:

K.2(A) count forward and backward to at least 20 with and without objects. (D) recognize instantly the quantity of a small group of objects in organized and random arrangements

K.8(A) collect, sort, and organize data into two or three categories

Art Studio

Enrichment:

Invite kids to create flower collages, painted gardens, or tissue paper trees

Use natural materials like leaves, seeds, and flower petals for art

Materials List:

Tissue paper, glue, construction paper

Real leaves, seeds, and flower petals

Paint and brushes

Kindergarten Fine Arts TEKS:

Art K.2(A) create artworks using a variety of lines, shapes, colors, textures, and forms;

(B) arrange components intuitively to create artworks; and

(C) use a variety of materials to develop manipulative skills while engaging in opportunities for exploration through drawing, painting, printmaking, constructing artworks, and sculpting, including modeled forms.

Building & STEM

Enrichment:

Build gardens, trees, and farms with Legos and blocks

STEM challenge: "Build the tallest flower" using blocks

Materials List:

Green, brown, and flower-colored Legos

Building blocks

Picture cards for treehouse or garden structures

Kindergarten Science and Math TEKS:

Math K.6(F) create two-dimensional shapes using a variety of materials and drawings

Science K.13(A) identify the structures of plants, including roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits

Dramatic Play

Enrichment:

Transform it into a "Garden Center" or "Flower Shop" - kids can plant, water, and sell flowers

Use aprons, gloves, watering cans, fake flowers, and seed packets

Materials List:

Fake flowers, flower pots

Toy watering cans, garden gloves

Aprons, seed packets, play money

Kindergarten Fine Arts TEKS:

Theater K.1(A) develop self-awareness through dramatic play

(B) explore space using expressive movement;

(D) imitate and recreate objects in dramatic play.

Theater K.2(A) demonstrate safe use of movement and voice

(B) assume roles through imitation and recreation

(C) identify the characteristics of dramatic play

(D) participate in dramatic play.

Theater K.3(A) create playing space using common objects such as tables or chairs

(D) cooperate with others in dramatic play.

Puzzle & Game Table

Enrichment:

Plant-themed puzzles

Matching cards of the young and parent plant

Bingo games with plant parts or garden images

Materials List:

Plant puzzles

Matching cards of the young and parent plant

Plant Bingo boards

Kindergarten Math & Science TEKS:

Math K.6(A) identify two-dimensional shapes

Science K.13(A) identify the structures of plants, including roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits

Science K.13(D) identify ways that young plants resemble the parent plant

Science Station

Enrichment:

Plant seeds in clear cups and observe root growth

Create sensory bins with soil, seeds, fake flowers, gardening gloves, and gardening tools

Materials List:

Seeds, soil, clear cups

Sensory bin with soil, fake plants, gloves, and small shovels

Magnifying glasses

Kindergarten Science TEKS:

K.12(A) observe and identify the dependence of plants on air, sunlight, water, nutrients in the soil, and space to grow

K.13(A) identify the structures of plants, including roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits.

(C) identify and record the changes from seed, seedling, plant, flower, and fruit in a simple plant life cycle

Technology Time

Enrichment:

Use apps about plants, gardening, and nature exploration

Watch short videos about the life cycle of plants

Materials List:

Chromebook

Educational Apps/Sites

Short videos (approved by the teacher)

Kindergarten Technology Application TEKS:

K.(5) Digital citizenship--social interactions. The student identifies appropriate ways to communicate in various digital environments. The student is expected to identify and demonstrate responsible behavior within a digital environment.

K.6(A) demonstrate acceptable use of digital resources and devices as outlined in local policies or acceptable use policy (AUP)

K.8(A) use a variety of applications, devices, and online learning environments to engage with content

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Plant a Letter Garden

Kindergarten ELAR TEKS:

K.2D(v) identifying all uppercase and lowercase letters

Objective:

Students will recognize letter names and shapes

Students will identify and place the corresponding letters to their uppercase and lowercase relations

Materials:

Big mat picture of soil with uppercase letters in a circle

Lowercase letter cards with seeds or food on them

Baggies

Activity:

1. Students will receive a letter mat of soil and a bag of letter cards of food/seeds

2. They will pick one card out of the bag and find the correct uppercase letter to the lowercase letter on the card

3. Place the card on the correct circle on the mat, and repeat the steps until all is covered

Resource: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/SpringGardenPlantsFarm-Math-Literacy-Centers-PreschoolPre-KKindergarten-11441820

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Word Seed Food

Kindergarten ELAR TEKS:

K.2B(i) identifying and matching the common sounds that letters represent

(ii) using letter-sound relationships to decode, including VC, CVC, CCVC, and CVCC words

(iv) identifying and reading at least 25 high-frequency words from a research-based list

K.2C(i) spelling words with VC, CVC, and CCVC

(ii) spelling words using sound-spelling patterns

(iii) spelling high-frequency words from a research-based list

Objectives:

Students will be able to read sight words presented on a plant card

Students will assemble the sight words with the corresponding seed letters

Materials:

Brown paper bag with a cutout mouth

Sight words printed on plant cards

Letters printed on seed pictures

Plastic spoon or stick

Paper clips

Plastic trays

Baggies

Activity:

1. Students will receive a tray with seed letters, a brown bag, a plastic spoon or stick, and a baggie of the sight word cards

2. They will pick a sight word card out of the bag

3. Find the correct letters in the tray to spell the sight word

4. Spell the sight word with the use of paper clips and attach it to the plastic spoon or stick

5. Then feed the brown bag with the spelled word

6. Clean the bag

7. Repeat the steps until all sight words are used

Resource: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Plants-Math-and-Literacy-Centers-for-Preschool-Pre-K-and-Kindergarten-7862908?epik=dj0yJnU9U3ROWjZXNnhUT2FlbWRsbjE2ekMwSDBTOTQzZEtsZl8mcD0wJm49b3N6TzNqVXo4d3JaNVlNSmZJM18tdyZ0PUFBQUFBR2dRTW44

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Measure the Harvest

Kindergarten Math TEKS:

K.3(A) model the action of joining to represent addition

K.7(A) give an example of a measurable attribute of a given object

K.8(A) collect, sort, and organize data

Objective:

Students will measure plant pictures on alphabet-letter cards with math-link cubes or counters

Students will organize and record the measurement on a chart

Materials:

Alphabet-letter card with plants

Math-link cubes and counters for measurements

Measurement chart

Dry-Erase markers

baggies

Activity:

1. Students will receive a bag of alphabet-letter cards, manipulative materials, a measurement chart, and dry-erase markers

2. Students will pull out a card from the bag

3. Use manipulatives to measure the plant on the card

4. Record their measurement on the measurement chart with the corresponding alphabet-letter card

5. Repeat steps until the chart is complete

Resource: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/SpringGardenPlantsFarm-Math-Literacy-Centers-PreschoolPre-KKindergarten-11441820

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Read Aloud Lesson Plan: The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle

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Read Aloud Lesson Plan: The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle

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Kindergarten Science TEKS:

K.2(B) analyze data by identifying significant features and patterns

K.13(C) identify and record the changes from seed, seedling, plant, flower, and fruit in a simple plant life cycle

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Read Aloud Lesson Plan for Thematic Unit Padlet

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Science Activity: Growing Their Own Plant

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Science Activity: Growing Their Own Plant

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I adapted this science activity for my read-aloud lesson plan.

Resource: https://www.theresourcefulmama.com/book-craft/

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Morning Message:

Good morning, scientists! This week we are learning about plants. Plants are living things that grow all around us.

Daily Question:

What is your favorite plant or flower? Where have you seen it before?

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Morning Message:

Hello, planters! Did you know plants need water, sunlight, air, and soil to grow big and strong?

Daily Question:

What do you think would happen if a plant didn't get any sunlight?

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Morning Message:

Good morning, gardeners! Today, we will look at the parts of a plant - roots, stem, leaves, and flowers!

Daily Question:

Which part of the plant do you think is the most important? Why?

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Morning Message:

Hi friends! We are planning seeds just like the tiny seed in our story. Let's be scientists and observe what happens!

Daily Question:

If you could grow your own garden, what would you plant in it?

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Morning Message:

Happy Friday! Plants help animals and people. They give us food, shade, and clean air!

Daily Question:

How do plants help animals like bees, birds, and even us?

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To conclude this unit on plants, I believe a field trip to a botanical garden or a community garden would be a great way for kindergarten students to explore. They can experience a variety of plants and flowers in a meaningful, hands-on manner. This trip would reinforce the lessons on plant parts, life cycles, and needs for growth. Also, provides opportunities for students to ask questions, make connections, and engage with their senses.

Preparing Students:

1. Preview where they are headed

Use photos of the botanical or community garden

Read a simple informational book about gardens

Use a social story to describe what students will see, hear, and do at the garden

2. Set Expectations (Social-Emotional Domain)

Use a visual schedule to explain the day step-by-step

Discuss group behavior (walking with a partner, listening to the guide, staying with the class)

Practice how to ask questions politely, raise hands, or say "thank you"

3. Build Excitement

Have students make name tags or decorate "garden explorer" journals to take with them

Let them draw or write about what they hope to see at the garden

Change in Schedule:

Talk through the change in routine at morning meeting, starting a few days before and every day leading up to the actual day

Mark the field trip on a class calendar and count down the days

Create a "Field Trip Day" schedule using visuals and compare it to their normal schedule so they can see and anticipate what's different

Post-Trip Activity:

Reflect as a class "Garden Memory Book" (drawings and writings)

Compare plants seen on the trip with those in The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle

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Oh, field trips! I feel like, as teachers, we either love them or loathe them. Regardless, I am always on the lookout for engaging and educational experiences, and field trips are something every child looks forward to. Outdoor kindergarten field trips offer a wonderful opportunity to explore the world beyond the classroom walls. Here are […]