PreK-2

A bud is a small growth on the end of a branch or twig that turns into a flower or leaf when it opens up! The trees and shrubs in your yard and neighborhood should all have buds starting to form. Go on a bud search in your backyard.

• How many different types of buds can you find?

Let’s see how much it rains in the next few days! Put a clear container (tupperware would work well) outside and check the weather. At the end of each day, use a ruler to measure how many inches of rainfall came. After you measure the amount of rainfall, empty the bucket to start over.

• Draw the table below on a piece of paper or in your journal.

• Use your table to record the number of inches of rain that came each day.

• For students practicing early addition, add up the amount of rain that came all week and put it in the total column.

Grab your journal and head outside. Draw/write in your journal what spring changes have taken place. Try to think about what your backyard looked like during winter, and what it looks like now. What is different?

Here are some questions to get you started:

• Is there more snow or less snow?

• Is there more sun or less sun?

• Do you notice any new sprouts or buds on trees?

• What colors is the grass?

• Do you see any more animals than in winter?

Count how many different types of buds you find in your backyard. Do you notice any that are different from each other?

In your journal, record:

• How many buds did you find?

• Draw all the different types of buds you find. Note their color, size, and shape differences in your drawing.

The next time your parent or guardian goes to Meijer, check the garden section for a pack of lima beans to plant.

Before you plant your seed...

Draw/write in your journal:

• What you think will happen to your seed?

• How long will it take to start growing?

• How tall will it grow?

Plant your seeds...

Use the instructions at this link to help you get started.

After planting your seeds...

Continue to check on your seeds every two days, and draw/write in your journal the changes that you see using the table below. (Tip: Turn your notebook on its side to help the table fit.)

Draw what you see? - In this box your child will draw/write their observations. They will write what they are noticing about their lima bean and how it is changing.

Questions to help your child get started:

• A picture of what your seed looks like

• Do you see any changes?

• What changes do you see?

How tall is your plant? - In this box your child will, record how tall their lima bean sprout is using a ruler or tape measure.

Question to help your child get started:

• How tall is your plant?

What will happen next? - In this box your child will predict what will happen the next time they make observations.

Questions to help your child get started:

• What do you think it will look like two days from now?

• How many days did it take your bean to sprout?

Create a toad abode using the instructions from one of the links below:

• https://dukesandduchesses.com/a-toad-abode/

• https://www.diyhsh.com/2017/06/8-ways-to-attract-toads-to-your-garden.html

• https://www.welcomewildlife.com/make-a-toad-house/

• http://www.eclecticmomma.com/2014/05/making-toad-abode.html?m=1

• http://petdiys.com/diy-ufo-toad-house/

Toads are amphibians that are different from frogs. Their skin is bumpy, while a frogs skin is smooth and slimy.

Toads like to live:

• In dark and damp places

• In places with cover, to avoid predators and the heat of the sun

• In places that are brown (like their bodies) in order to camouflage and hide

You may find a toad hidden under some fallen leaves. They also like to bury themselves under the soil in your garden or under a deck or porch.

Search around your yard for a spot you think a toad would like to live. This would be a great spot for your toad abode! Put your toad abode in this spot for four weeks to give toads a chance to find it. Make sure to check on your toad abode as the weather warms up!