This document summarizes a week-long study conducted by teachers Mary, Valerie, Karen, Emily, and Lynea from June 17-21, 2019. The focus of the study was on what plants need to survive. Each day, the class explored a different question related to this topic through activities led by various teachers in small focus groups during morning and afternoon meetings. Interest areas in the classroom were modified based on the study with additions like a sprout and grow window, books about gardens, and gardening materials in the sensory table and dramatic play area. The document outlines the daily schedule, activities, and teacher assignments for the week and reflects on what aspects of the study worked well and could be improved going forward.

1. Teachers: Mary, Valerie, Karen, Emily, Lynea Date: June 17-21, 2019
Study: Spring Investigation: What does a plant need to survive? Commitment: I will Keep my Body Safe
Monday 17 Tuesday 18 Wednesday 19 Thursday 20 Friday 21
Question of
the Day:
What does a plant need to
survive?
What is air? How is a shadow made? How do plants drink? Which of these don’t
belong? (picture of cake,
sun, water, soil)
AM/PM
meeting
Leader:
AM Mary
PM Emily
AM Val
PM Mary
AM Val
PM Mary
AM Val
PM Mary
AM Val
PM Karen
AM focus
group:
Person,
Book,
Activity
Lynea
The Little Gardener’s Guide
pg. 16 (photosynthesis LC 7-
4) Plant in the sprout and
grown window CS 15-1, 15-
2
Val
My Garden
Finish our pinwheels, watch
how air can make them
move
Emily
Bear Shadow
Trace our shadows outside
PMP 18-2
Allen Art Museum Visitor To
do Chalk art 9:15am
Miss Amanda from Oberlin
public library visits 10am
PM focus
group:
Emily
The Little Gardener’s Guide
pg. 17 - Parts of a plant
smartboard game
Mary
Lola Plants a Garden
Breathing exercises cube
Karen
Sunny Weather Days
Sing Mr. Sun/patterning
activity
Val
Jack’s Garden
Experiment with soaking up
colored water with a paper
towel
Karen
Bear’s Bargain
Measure our plants using
the measuring cubes add to
chart CM 11-1
Intergen/
Other:
Cooking club- Ellen,
Xenieya, Zariya, Henry
Art with Amanda 9:30-
10:00am, & 1-on-1s with
Amanda 3-4pm
Swimming- Rose, Ellen,
Henry, Eleanor, Zariya,
Hannah, Iris, Hans, Maike,
James, Mattie (M&E)
Courtyard Garden fun.
*Children are asked who would like to participate weekly and are not assigned certain weeks to participate.
Small groups are done during Free Play in the Interest areas. These are the Changes to Interest area Based on Children’s Interests/Study:
Dramatic Play (V):
Farmers Market
Discovery (M): Sprout and grow
window & paper towel wicking
experiments.
Library (K): Books about gardens
/plants added as well as food felt
board materials.
Sensory table (E): Dirt, shovels/ water
and sponges, containers
Art (E): Pin wheel art to be used for
center pieces for the Community
picnic.
Cooking/Table Toys (K): Nest & eggs
tweezer game, bugs building toys, peg
pictures, jumping frogs, and numbered
lily pads.
Technology (M): Parts of a plant
smartboard game.
Music (R/L): Shakers, to imitate the
rain helping plants grow.
Large motor (M/V): Calisthenics cube. Blocks (R/L): Tree slices, and sticks
added to build natural structures.
Pictures of gardens and farms.
Writing (V): Chalk boards will be
available to write on.
Classroom rules / routines (V/M):
Be safe – commitment to keep your
body safe.
What needs extra attention/ schedule changes this week: ___________________________________________________________________________
Parent Involvement/needs (V/M): ______________________________________________________________________________________________
What worked best this week: __________________________________________________________________________________________________
What didn’t work so well this week: _____________________________________________________________________________________________
Ideas for the future: Maybe visit the chalk walk on Monday June 24th
to see pictures that are left on sidewalks_________________________________