Good Food for Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a holiday that focuses on food. That makes it a perfect time to connect students with food from the garden!
Because this blog is taking a break next week for the Thanksgiving holiday, I’ve included two lessons below. Both of them teach about healthy foods and plant parts.
Lesson: Name That Plant: Students learn about the six parts of a plant and match twelve fruits and vegetables to a specific plant part. All of the fruits and vegetables are introduced in the book What’s in the Garden? Link to a pdf of complete directions for the matching activity.
Parents may want to make one of the kid-friendly recipes described in the book for their Thanksgiving celebration.
Lesson: Have a Plant Part-y: Treat your students to a healthy “pre-Thanksgiving feast” by making a yummy, colorful salad with plant parts, such as leaves (lettuce), stems (celery), roots (carrots), fruits (tomatoes), and seeds (sunflower). Students work at stations to prepare these and other vegetables shown in Molly’s Organic Farm. Link to a pdf of complete directions and salad ingredients.
Common Core Standards (ELA K-3)
- Reading: Literature–Key Ideas and Details (K.1, 2.1, 3.1); Craft and Structure (K.5, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5); Integration and Knowledge of Ideas (K.7, 1.7, 2.7, 3.7)
- Reading: Informational Text–Key Ideas and Details (K.1, 2.1, 3.1); Integration and Knowledge of Ideas (K.7, 1.7, 2.7, 3.7)
Next Generation Science Standards (DCI K-3)
- LS1: From Molecules to Organisms: A. Structures and Processes; B. Growth and Development of Organisms
- LS2: Ecosystems: A. Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics; B. Cycles of Matter and Energy in Ecosystems
- LS3: Heredity: A.Inheritance and Variation of Traits; B. Variation of Traits