Week of 3/30/26

Science Update:

In Science, we learned what plants need to grow and the life cycles of plants and trees. We will continue exploring plants this week. 

After Spring Break, students will plant their own seeds using soil and a plant cup at school. They will observe their plant at home closely, record its stages, and document its growth each day, insha'Allah. 

Upcoming Project: 

Students will also begin working on their Habitat Diorama Project after Spring Break. Each student will choose a habitat and create a diorama to showcase what they have learned. Details about project expectations will be shared after we complete lesson 2, which focuses on how plants and animals depend on each other in a habitat.

In the meantime, if you have a shoebox available at home, please send it with your child. This will be used as the base for their diorama.

Lesson 1: Plant Needs

What We’re Doing

Where do plants grow? They grow where their needs are met. By the end of this lesson, your child will

·        determine if plants need sunlight and water to grow

·        determine if plants need space to grow

At-Home Activity

To prepare your child for this lesson, try this short activity:

·        Observe plants in your home, backyard, or neighborhood.

·        Discuss how the plants get what they need.

Engage your child by asking these questions:

·        What do plants need to grow?

·        How do the plants get water? How do the plants get sunlight?

·        Do you think the plants are getting enough water and sunlight?

Science Summary

·        Plants are living things.

·        Plants depend on water and light to grow.

Vocabulary for this lesson includes nutrient.

Preconception Alert!

If your child has one of these preconceptions about plant needs, here’s how you can help.

·        Preconception 1: The leaves of a plant take in water.

To address this, examine the leaves of a plant. Tell your child that they may have seen water droplets gather on the leaves, but that water is taken in through the plant’s roots. Examine a plant’s root structure or look at pictures of a root structure.

·        Preconception 2: Sunlight helps plants grow by keeping them warm.

To address this, explain that plants need sunlight in order to make their own food. Plants are affected by temperature, but they do not necessarily need sunlight to keep them warm.