This week we have turned our focus from animals to plants. My students are all very excited about the seeds we are growing and are very attentive in caring for them.
In reading, we have focussed on Questioning as a reading comprehension strategy. The students were invited to pose "I wonder..." questions before we read a text about how plants grow. Several of them wanted to find out more about pollen which I was very pleased about because I had discovered a fantastic pollination investigation activity on Pinterest involving cheese and bacon balls!
In reading, we have focussed on Questioning as a reading comprehension strategy. The students were invited to pose "I wonder..." questions before we read a text about how plants grow. Several of them wanted to find out more about pollen which I was very pleased about because I had discovered a fantastic pollination investigation activity on Pinterest involving cheese and bacon balls!
The students created a garden and placed "pollen" (cheese and bacon balls) in the centre of the large flower. They then used the bee puppet to explore how the pollen is carried from flower to flower on the bees' legs (their fingers). Needless to say, they thought this was fantastic (especially when they got to eat the "pollen" at the end!).
To gauge how well the students understood the concept, I asked them to pair up with a buddy and get them to use an iPad to film their explanation. One crucial part of this process was discussing what a "good" video actually looked like. While they were all more than familiar with how to record, and loved being on camera, I have found that making videos without this discussion can be a bit hit and miss. Together we devised a rubric that they used to assess their own work and that of a peer.
To gauge how well the students understood the concept, I asked them to pair up with a buddy and get them to use an iPad to film their explanation. One crucial part of this process was discussing what a "good" video actually looked like. While they were all more than familiar with how to record, and loved being on camera, I have found that making videos without this discussion can be a bit hit and miss. Together we devised a rubric that they used to assess their own work and that of a peer.
The students then went ahead and created their videos and I was so pleased with the results! It was great to hear them explain the concept in a way that made a lot of meaning to them, though quite a few "bees" thought it necessary to "smash" the pollen on to the new flowers!
The final component involved me generating some QR codes for their videos so they could add these to their garden. The students thought these were just magic. The parents absolutely loved them too, as it allowed them to really engage with work we are doing in the classroom! So happy people all around really!
And one of the most amazing things of all? The students asked me if we were now going to write about everything they knew about pollination! Well, how could I say no to that! It was so rewarding to see the children take such pride in their work and the knowledge they had gained through the investigation. Just another reason why I love both science and technology so much!
And one of the most amazing things of all? The students asked me if we were now going to write about everything they knew about pollination! Well, how could I say no to that! It was so rewarding to see the children take such pride in their work and the knowledge they had gained through the investigation. Just another reason why I love both science and technology so much!
Credits:
The original pollination activity and printables can be found on Teachers Pay Teachers, though I have adapted it slightly.
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Cheeto-Pollination-Experiment-224148
There are many websites and apps available to create QR codes. I have found Qrafter really quick and easy to use:
http://keremerkan.net/qr-code-and-2d-code-generator/
The original pollination activity and printables can be found on Teachers Pay Teachers, though I have adapted it slightly.
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Cheeto-Pollination-Experiment-224148
There are many websites and apps available to create QR codes. I have found Qrafter really quick and easy to use:
http://keremerkan.net/qr-code-and-2d-code-generator/