The following is an original story-time idea which I designed as an assignment for the Library Services for Children and Young Adults course which I took this spring as a part of my MLIS requirements. Any feedback or ideas are welcome and greatly appreciated!
Age Group Targeted: 5-7
Theme: Seeds
STEM Concept & Skill Focus: Learning that seeds, with proper conditions, will grow into the beautiful plants that we see all around us.
Early Literacy Topics: Background Knowledge & Vocabulary
Aside: "Children need background knowledge, or general knowledge about the world, to later understand what they read. Background knowledge includes knowing information about things, understanding ideas and concepts like opposites, having thinking skills like problem solving and predicting, and knowing how stories work. Today I'll show some ways we can share information with our children when we talk, read, write, sing, and play with them." (Ghoting & Martin-Diaz, 234)
Empower Aside: When you are out with your child take the opportunity to talk with them about the plants which you see and have a conversation with them about the plants and the seeds which they came from. This not only reiterates the scientific process of plant growth, but the continued conversation helps provide them with more background information that will help prepare them to read.
Song: A Tiny Little Seed Song by Mary J https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49WEE7LKRws
I’m a tiny little seed in the ground
I’m a tiny little seed in the ground.
You won’t know that I’m here ‘cause I never make a sound
I’m a tiny little seed in the ground.
But with a little bit of rain and some sun
Just a little bit of rain and some sun.
I start to grow, poke myself out to try to see the sun
With a little bit of rain and some sun.
Then I grow and I grow and I grow a little more
I grow I grow and I grow a little more.
Then one day I’ll bloom into a beautiful flower
All from a tiny little seed in the ground.
Book: The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle http://www.amazon.com/The-Tiny-Seed-Eric-Carle/dp/088708155X
Snacks: Sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, watermelon (to show the seeds inside and that they will someday turn into a watermelon plant)
Craft: Grow Your Own "Tiny Little Seed"
Have a table set up with empty yogurt containers, tape, pre cut paper, markers, mixed potting soil, and sunflower plant seeds.
Instruct the children to pick out a yogurt container and to take a piece of paper to decorate with their name, drawings, etc. They will then wrap the paper around the outside of their yogurt cup and tape it on so that their "pot" is decorated and easily distinguished from the other kids'.
Once the drawing & taping is complete, instruct them to carefully fill their "pot" about 2/3 full with soil.
Then have them pick out a seed from several different choices: sunflower seeds, daisy seeds, corn, or bean.
As they are finishing this step explain to them how to care for their plant (watering it and keeping it in a warm, sunny location).
Age Group Targeted: 5-7
Theme: Seeds
STEM Concept & Skill Focus: Learning that seeds, with proper conditions, will grow into the beautiful plants that we see all around us.
Early Literacy Topics: Background Knowledge & Vocabulary
Aside: "Children need background knowledge, or general knowledge about the world, to later understand what they read. Background knowledge includes knowing information about things, understanding ideas and concepts like opposites, having thinking skills like problem solving and predicting, and knowing how stories work. Today I'll show some ways we can share information with our children when we talk, read, write, sing, and play with them." (Ghoting & Martin-Diaz, 234)
Empower Aside: When you are out with your child take the opportunity to talk with them about the plants which you see and have a conversation with them about the plants and the seeds which they came from. This not only reiterates the scientific process of plant growth, but the continued conversation helps provide them with more background information that will help prepare them to read.
Song: A Tiny Little Seed Song by Mary J https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49WEE7LKRws
I’m a tiny little seed in the ground
I’m a tiny little seed in the ground.
You won’t know that I’m here ‘cause I never make a sound
I’m a tiny little seed in the ground.
But with a little bit of rain and some sun
Just a little bit of rain and some sun.
I start to grow, poke myself out to try to see the sun
With a little bit of rain and some sun.
Then I grow and I grow and I grow a little more
I grow I grow and I grow a little more.
Then one day I’ll bloom into a beautiful flower
All from a tiny little seed in the ground.
Book: The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle http://www.amazon.com/The-Tiny-Seed-Eric-Carle/dp/088708155X
Snacks: Sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, watermelon (to show the seeds inside and that they will someday turn into a watermelon plant)
Craft: Grow Your Own "Tiny Little Seed"
Have a table set up with empty yogurt containers, tape, pre cut paper, markers, mixed potting soil, and sunflower plant seeds.
Instruct the children to pick out a yogurt container and to take a piece of paper to decorate with their name, drawings, etc. They will then wrap the paper around the outside of their yogurt cup and tape it on so that their "pot" is decorated and easily distinguished from the other kids'.
Once the drawing & taping is complete, instruct them to carefully fill their "pot" about 2/3 full with soil.
Then have them pick out a seed from several different choices: sunflower seeds, daisy seeds, corn, or bean.
As they are finishing this step explain to them how to care for their plant (watering it and keeping it in a warm, sunny location).
