By this time in the school year, the children have learned the names of pets and farm animals. Let's move on to the more exotic animals found in animals parks and zoos. Have the children bring in a stuffed or plastic animal. The animal should represent one that might be found in a zoo. We'll be using these animals for a couple of weeks so best not to bring that special sleep buddy! Talk to the children during circle time about zoos. Have they ever been to a zoo? Why do they think we have zoos? What do they think the animals do when we are not there? Lois Elbert's book Color Zoo is a wonderful way to begin your conversation. This is also a good time to talk about what is real and what is pretend. We couldn't have a real tiger in our classroom! Check out this week's free lesson plan for ideas on how to create your own zoo in your classroom. Be sure to take lots of pictures! 

 A strong vocabulary is one of the best indicators of success in primary grades. Children entering first grade with high vocabulary levels have shown greater success at learning to read. Take every opportunity to help your children expand their vocabulary with words they can use to express their ideas. Nature gives us many opportunities to help increase children's knowledge of adjectives. If the child can actually feel something that is shiny, fuzzy, smooth, etc. they will remember the meaning of the words. Take a little walk around the playground. Stop and let the children feel rough bark, smooth stones, or shiny leaves.  If possible, bring a few things back to the classroom. Create a chart naming each object. Now ask the children what words they would use to describe it. Is the leaf smooth, soft, green, and cool? Is the stone hard, rough, heavy, and warm? Check out our free lesson plan for more ideas on how to increase your children's vocabulary using nature. 

Trees are an important part of our world. Use this week to plan for a tree planting with your class. Make sure each child has a job they can do so they will feel a part of the big event.If you are not able to plant a real tree, you can create one in your classroom. Talk to the children about trees. Trees help keep our air clean, they give us shade on sunny days, and they are homes to critters such as birds and squirrels. Now ask the children why they think trees are important.  Most will give you the answers above. A few may be more creative! Whatever their answers, record each idea on a green square of construction paper. Have the children cut around the words to make leaves. Use the leaves to create a tree on the wall in your classroom. Check this free lesson plan for more ideas on how to incorporate planting a tree with your children.   

Last week we suggested having the children plant seeds. Once the plants are growing, we can use them to learn how to chart growth.

A graph showing the growth of our new plants is a fun way to teach measuring. Use butcher paper or poster board to make the chart large enough for all the children to see clearly.

Children may need a little help in learning how to measure. Use real or plastic plants of different sizes. Demonstrate how to hold the ruler against the plant. Mark down the height. Now measure plants of different sizes. Can they see the difference? Let the children practice measuring.

Plant growth might be a little slow for some children. Some may be expecting several feet of growth a day!  This might be a good time to share a good story.

Check the Children’s Book section on your free lesson plan for ideas.

How can living things grow from tiny to tall? How do flowers grow from little seeds?

The best way to teach growth is to have the children grow their own plants. Instead of the usual paper cup, why not use unusual planters? A soup can, a milk carton, or even a shoe can become a unique planter. You can teach a lesson in recycling at the same time!

With younger children, you may want to use small plants. With older children, you might consider planting seeds and watching them grow. Be sure you plant extra to insure all the children end up with a growing plant.

Use Circle Time to discuss with the children what plants need to grow. Show them different seeds and ask if they can guess which plant comes from what seed. Their answers may surprise you!

Check out our free lesson plan for ideas on seeds to show the children.