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Thanksgiving Garden

Published November 16, 2014 | By Carol Malnor

Thanksgiving is a holiday that focuses on food. That makes it a perfect time to connect students with food from the garden!

Because of the Thanksgiving holiday, this blog will be taking a break next week…enjoy the lessons based on these  two books for the next two weeks…both lessons teach about six plant parts.

GARDN_COVERWhat’s in the Garden? — Good food doesn’t begin on a store shelf with a box. It comes from a garden bursting with life, color, sounds, smells, sunshine, moisture, birds, and bees! Healthy food becomes much more interesting when children know where they come from. Includes kid-friendly recipes!

MOLLY_COVER-1Molly’s Organic Farm —Affectionately named “Molly” by the farmers who discover her, a mischievous cat romps, naps, and hunts among the vegetables. Based on a true story, Molly will touch children’s hearts while introducing them to the key elements of growing food through the seasons.

GARDNB3LESSON PLAN: Name That Plant Part
Students learn about the six parts of a plant and match the twelve fruits and vegetables in What’s in the Garden? to a specific plant part.

Suggested Grade Level: K-3

Procedure: Read aloud What’s in the Garden? Use the book to answer questions about the foods. Link to a pdf of complete directions for the lesson plan.

MOLLY3LESSON PLAN: Have a Plant Part-y
Students work at stations to prepare vegetables for a big salad as a fun way to review the parts of plants introduced in Molly’s Organic Farm.

Suggested Grade Level: K-3

Procedure: Read aloud Molly’s Organic Farm. Discuss the parts of the book that are a story (fiction) and the parts that are facts (non-fiction). Read “The True Story of Molly” on the last page of the book. Celebrate Thanksgiving with a healthy snack. Link to a pdf of complete directions for the lesson plan.

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

GARDNB1MOLLY4

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Posted in Nature Books Blog, Uncategorized
subscribe     Blog by Carol Malnor I love making connections: kids and nature, science and reading, fun and learning. I discovered the joy of connecting Dawn Publications' books with kids when I was a classroom teacher. Dawn's books were easy to incorporate into my lessons and the kids loved them. I used picture books with students of all ages, from primary school all the way up through 9th grade. Over the years, my relationship with Dawn changed and developed, and I authored Dawn’s Teacher’s Guides as well as writing books for children 4-14 years old. ARTICLE How to Use Creative Nonfiction Picture Books in Support of Common Core and Science ACTIVITIES Dawn Publications STANDARDS Common Core State Standards Next Generation Science Standards National Science Teachers Association Picture Perfect Science   OTHER FAVORITES Dawn Publications Children and Nature Network
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