Plants

Each year we do a unit on plants.  We introduce plants when we visit the pumpkin patch in October before Halloween.  We introduce the life cycle of a plant from seed to fruit.  We expand on the concepts introduced in the fall.

Flower Quilt

We use the grid to the right to make a patchwork quilt.  Click to enlarge the picture.   Each child is given six 2 inch construction paper squares to glue as shown.  We also give them three 2 inch squares of wallpaper paper.  The squares are cut diagonally for the corner triangle patches.  You can enlarge the grid pattern for a 9 inch patchwork square and then use 3 inch squares.

The flower square is a pattern that they cut out and glue to a white square.  A large button is added for the center of the flower.  Each year we ask parents to donate any old buttons that they are not using for these kinds of projects.

Coffee Filter Flowers

We used Coloration liquid watercolor or food coloring with an eyedropper to drop the paint on a coffee filter.  The stem and leaves were made with green construction paper. 

Books for Plant Unit

All About Seeds by Melvin Berger
Apple Pie Tree by Zoe Hall
Dandylions by Posada Mia
Flower Garden by Eve Bunting
How Do Flowers Grow by Betsy Maestro
I Am a Leaf by Jean Marzollo
Mushroom in the Rain by Mirra Ginsburg
Rain Forest Secrets by Arthur Dorro
Tiny Seed by Eric Carle
What Shall I Grow by Ray Gibson
Honey Makers by Gail Gibson
Alison's Zinnia by Anita Lobel
Pumpkin Circle by George Levenson