Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Strong
Bark
Rough
Roots How far do they go under
ground?
What purpose does
bark have?
b. By mapping what the children know about trees, it gives me a great idea of the
things they need to know about how to incorporate the things they want to know
into the study. I learned from the children that they are really interested in the
changing of leaves since it is fall and also very interested in roots. How I plan on
starting this study is going on a nature walk with the children. This will allow them
to ask anymore questions and I will also inform them we will be doing a study on
trees.
a. Academic Science Content: List 2 science concepts you want the children to
learn in this study.
Science
Investigate why leaves change their color
Use a magnifying glass to look at bark
Compare different trees to each other
Explore objects, Collect things from trees (e.g. pine cones, leaves, limbs, acorns, etc.)
materials and
events
Make careful Observe the bark textures on trees
observations
Describe,
compare, sort, Point out the differences between trees (e.g. oval leaves, heart
classify, and order shaped, etc.)
3) Introducing the Topic to the Children: Explain how you will introduce
the topic to the children. (Standard 4b.)
a. To introduce this topic with the children, I would take them on a nature walk and
explain to them that we are going to investigate trees. I would bring along several
boxes and ask the children to collect items from trees that interest them. (e.g.
acorns, leaves, twigs, bark, pine cones, etc.) We would then take them back into
the classroom and read Tree, Leaves & Bark and compare what we found
outside to what is in the information book.
Open ended questions to ask: What colors do you see in this leaf?
Why do leaves fall off trees? How does this bark feel? Why do you think this tree
stands up so strong?
Dear Families,
We are excited to let you know that we are doing a science study on trees this
semester! The children have been very interested in trees so we are going to
build on their former knowledge and have fun at the same time. Of course, we
want you to be involved as well! I think it would be great for you and your child to
send in a photo of a tree in your yard. (If you do not have any trees, just find
one!) We will have a Show & Tell next week of the trees in each childs yard. This
will be a great time for the children to talk about their trees and also apply what
they have learned into their discussion. Please let me know if you have any
suggestions, input, or ideas for this science study. Thanks for your support and
involvement in your childs education. You are greatly appreciated!
1) Culminating Events: Develop plans for how you might end the study and
engage children and families in the process. Include at least one
culminating event. (Standard 2c.)
My plan to end the study will occur around the time that almost all
of the leaves have fallen. We will end this study with a big party in
which parents are invited and welcome. In this party, the children
will perform a short skit to their parents that includes the things they
have learned. Afterwards, the children are free to go outside and
play in the leaves. Children will be able to take home all their work
and crafts that we did on trees and I will be giving each family a
picture of their child engaged in the science study.
b. APPLICATION: What overall value did this project have for you? How have you
changed in your view of science in the preschool classroom? How will you apply
what you learned about teaching science and inquiry skills to young children, to
improve their learning outcomes in science?
This project had great value for me in my current and future career as a
teacher. I am a very organized person and I also like to create new projects
with classes therefore it is easy to say that this project was perfect and
very beneficial to me. I learned how to properly set up a science study
project and also was able to understand the difference between that and a
unit theme study. Because of this project, my view on science in the
classroom has changed. I used to think that children are too young to
learn about something but then I realize that they are a whole lot smarter
than people normally think. It is great to introduce children to science
studies at a young age and it also allows them to have a good time in the
process. In my future teaching, I plan on doing more in-depth science
studies with the children. It has so many benefits for the children that I
want them to take away with them now and also use in their future.
Overall, this was a great project and I am grateful for the opportunity to be
a part of it.