Karissa Allen

LTEC 4100

October 1, 2012

Thematic Resources

1. Teacher Tube- Exploring Plants in Kindergarten

a. Description of video: This is a cute video of a class of kindergarten students observing and examining plants with magnifying glasses. During their observations, the students write and draw pictures of what they have seen and thought about in their science journals. The teacher also goes around to each student to have them talk about what they’re observing and thinking about the plants. The students’ answers are very interesting to hear. I believe this is a great resource for teachers to use if they are in need of an idea of how to teach a kindergarten class about plants.

b. Website: http://teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=86362

c. Picture of website:

2. Kindergarten Puzzle Game-Plant Life Cycle

a. Description of game: This is an educational science lesson and game for kindergarten students. Through this animated lesson, the students learn about how a plant grows from a seed, as well as the names and functions of the different parts of a plant, such as the root, stem, leaf, flower, fruit, and bud. After the interactive lesson, there are two labeling exercises that students complete to reinforce their understanding about plants, plant parts, and the plant life cycle. In the first exercise, the students identify and label the parts of the plant. In the second exercise, the students sequence the plant’s life cycle. I really enjoyed this interactive lesson and the exercises because they are so colorful and the pictures, words, and sounds would be helpful for ESL/ELL students. I believe this lesson could be used as either a whole class activity or as an individual student activity.

b. Website: http://www.turtlediary.com/kindergarten-games/science-games/plant-life-cycle.html

c. Picture of website:

3. Internet Project: Interactive Growing Plants

a. Description of project: This is an interactive online project that allows students to grow a plant by adjusting the level of water or light the plant is allowed. The students can click the right arrow to change the difficulty level of the activity. The first level is growing the plant by watering regularly, which allows the plant to grow. The second level is to see what happens to the plant when the student does not water it. The third level is to see what happens to the plant when the student pulls the blind over the window. After the growing plants activity, the student can label the parts of the plant. After labeling, the student can take a quiz over what plants need to grow. I believe this is a great activity for students to do to reinforce their learning after they have been taught about the parts of a plant and what plants need in order to grow.

b. Website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/5_6/growing_plants.shtml

c. Picture of website:

4. Website- Mrs. Jones’ Room

a. Description of website: This website belongs to a kindergarten teacher named Mrs. Jones. Her website contains a plethora of resources for teachers to use in their kindergarten classrooms when teaching about plants, as well as several other topics of interest. The main sections included on Mrs. Jones’ Plants and Seeds page include classroom activities, pictures and information, and songs to use with your kindergarten students. I believe this is the best teacher resource I have found to go along with my Kindergarten Plants Unit so far. I will definitely use Mrs. Jones’ website when I am in need of ideas or resources to go along with my Kindergarten lessons.

b. Website: http://www.mrsjonesroom.com/themes/plants.html

c. Picture of website:

5. YouTube Video- The Needs of a Plant (Song for Kids)

a. Description of video: This is a video of a song about the needs of plants created by the user, HarryKindergarten. This song is very catchy, has colorful pictures, and was created primarily for Kindergarten students. The needs of plants addressed in the song are water, soil, space, light, and air. I believe this would be a fun and creative way to help Kindergarten students remember the needs of plants because they enjoy singing catchy, entertaining songs about the topics they are learning about.

b. Website: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQT6piZOX7c

c. Picture of website:

6. Software- Learn About Life Science- Plants!

a. Description of software: This software can be used for Pre-Kindergarten-2nd grade students, depending on the difficulty level of your students. This software is really colorful and interactive, and includes icons, lessons, songs, videos, journals, games, self quizzes, difficulty settings, and student progress reports. The manual/teacher's guide included in the software package has easy set up information and help, as well as lessons, classroom activities, and quizzes for the students. I believe this is a creative and engaging way to give additional support to your students as they are learning about plants.

b. Website: http://commerce.sunburst.com/product.aspx?p=51828

c. Picture of software: