Studying Trees and Weather:

In the FOSS program, the Trees and Weather Module allows students to develop an understanding of what plants need to survive, the relationship between their needs and where they live, as well as changes in weather over the year and how the weather has an impact on living things. 

Through systematic investigations, Kindergarten students at Bowley Elementary School engaged in science and engineering practices by asking questions, participating in collaborative investigations, observing, recording, and interpreting data to build explanations to focus questions, common misconceptions, and emerging curiosities. 
Kindergarten students began their study of trees by investigating the variety and structure of trees in the schoolyard. After ‘adopting’ two trees to observe throughout the school year, each has now become part of the classroom and the expanding science community being created by the students. 

The students observe and record as scientists; documenting in their science notebooks what they see to include colors and parts of the trees. By asking open-ended questions, the teachers expand their thinking and curiosity about both life and earth sciences.

As autumn weather begins to settle in, and a variety of colors emerge across the leaves of our adopted trees, the kindergarten students once again investigate the trees focusing on their changing leaves. They match leaves with geometric shapes, observe and record in their science notebooks, and create leaf catchers to further study the leaves. Through investigations and reading, students can participate in active, firsthand experiences with objects, organisms and materials to gather meaningful data.

Trees are commonplace, but when provided with a fresh point-of-view, students can engage in one of the most delightful aspects of science – the power of making a mundane object provocative and exciting!