Unit Overview

This unit is based on the Big Ideas and Curricular Competencies of the Kindergarten - Grade 3 BC science and applied design, skills, and technologies (ADST) curriculum with a central focus on plants. The unit is divided into five modules, with each emphasizing on a different focus question related to plants. Each module takes on cross-curricular lesson plans, tasks, and activities that gets students thinking about and exploring the idea of nature.

A brief description of the Big Ideas, Curricular Competencies, Cross-Curricular Connections and Unit Overview are provided below:

Big Ideas in Science & Applied Design, Skills, and Technologies (K-3)

Science

Plants and animals have features that help them survive in their environment.
Living things have life cycles adapted to their environment.
Daily and seasonal changes affect all living things

Applied Design, Skills, and Technologies

Natural curiosity devlops through designs
Play allows for skills to develop
Technologies are tools that are used to extend the capabilities of students

Curricular Competencies of Science

Questioning and Prediction:
- Show curiosity and a sense of wonder about the world
- Make predictions based on prior knowledge
Planning and Conducting:
- Make and record observations
Processing and Analyzing Data:
- Compare and identify simple patterns and connection
- Experience and interpret the local environment
Communicating:
- Share observations and ideas orally

Curricular Competencies of Applied Design, Skills, and Technologies

Ideating:
- Through exploration, opportunities and needs for designs are identified; Ideas are generating from prior experiences and current interests
Making:
- Trail and error will be used to allow for change, problem solving, and discovery of new ideas from self or peers
Sharing:
- Reflection of individual and group collaboration through effective work habits
Skills:
- Through play and collaborative work, develop prior skills and build upon new ideas
Technologies:
- Explore tools that are available which will assist in broadening their abilities

Cross-Curricular Competencies & Connections

Communicate using letters and words with leaves (Language Arts)
Estimate measurement and number reasonably (Math)
Sequence objects, images, or events, and distinguish between what has changed and what has stayed the same (Social Studies)
Identify and explore a variety of plant foods and describe how they contribute to health (Physical and Health Education)
Describe and illustrate the life cycle of a plant (Art)

Unit Overview

Module 1- What are the parts of a plant?

parts of a flower and their functions

Module 2- How do plants grow?

the life cycle of a flowering plant

Module 3- What do plants need?

basic needs of a plant

Module 4- What are some traditional ways First Peoples use plants and trees?

food, medicine, materials for building and creating
local plants identification, respectful harvesting, sustainability

Module 5- Why are plants and trees important?

benefits of the ecosystem and the environment
everyday uses of plants

Structure of the Module

Each module will begin with the focus question and the learning objectives.
The module will include at least one activity from each of the literacy, numeracy, and elective curricular areas related to the theme of the week.
The activities range from Youtube videos, Padlet discussions, Read-Aloud, and more.
Students are encouraged to participate and engage in the online content to the best of their ability using their device, independently or with the support of an adult.
Some activities are interactive (quizzes and discussion) which can be done directly on the student's device.
Other activities can be downloaded and printed from a home printer (if accessible), or by writing the responses in a notebook.
Finally, there will be assessments that students will do so that educators can evaluate their progress.