Synergy: Plant Classification

Plant classification is the science of naming organisms and organizing them into a hierarchical structure. Each level has a name, class, order, family, genus, and species. There are four main categories. 

Read the recently published nonfiction book, then learn more at the websites:

GROW written by Riz Reyes and illustrated by Sara Boccaccini Meadows is a family guide to plants and how to grow them. Readers explore fifteen different types of plants and their plant families. For instance, children learn about pumpkins as part of the larger gourd family. Effectively combining science, history, and hands-on activities, this appealing picture book will be of interesting to parents and teachers as well as young readers. The book concludes with a glossary and information about plant classification. ARC courtesy of Magic Cat Publishing, an imprint of ABRAMS.

PLANT SCIENCE from Growing with Science provide examples of common plant families from the Carrot Family to the Maple Tree Family.

To visit Plant Families I, go to https://blog.growingwithscience.com/2015/11/plant-science-plant-families-i-the-food-crops/

Go to Plant Families II, go to https://blog.growingwithscience.com/2015/11/plant-science-plant-families-ii-trees/

PLANT CLASSIFICATION FOR KIDS is a YouTube video from Brainy Garden that describes the organization of living things including the Kingdom Plantae.

To visit the website, go to https://youtu.be/LeSeUM5k10M.

THE PLANT KINGDOM is a YouTube video from Happy Learning English that shares four groups of plants. 

To visit the website, go to https://youtu.be/IYxfz1PSfZ0.

ARC courtesy of Magic Cat Publishing, an imprint of ABRAMS.

Synergy: Garden

A garden is s small plot of land used to grow fruits, vegetables, herbs, flowers, or other plants. This planned space is set aside specifically for the cultivation and enjoyment of plants.

Read the recently published poetry book for children, then learn more at the websites:

BEHOLD OUR MAGICAL GARDEN: POEMS FRESH FROM A SCHOOL GARDEN written by Allan Wolf and illustrated by Daniel Duncan is a beautifully illustrated picture book sharing over two dozen poems exploring the joys of gardening. From composting to gardening tools, young gardeners will be inspired by the wide range of nature-oriented poems. The book concludes with useful notes about each poem.

SCHOOL GARDEN CENTER is a website from Utah Agriculture in the Classroom that offers ideas and resources for school gardens.

Go to https://utah.agclassroom.org/garden/

KIDS GARDENING is a website exploring ways that children can play, learn, and grow through gardens. The site provides lesson plans, activities, grant resources for educators.

Go to https://kidsgardening.org/

ARC courtesy of Candlewick Press.

Book Review: Green Bean! Green Bean!

GREEN BEAN! GREEN BEAN! by Patricia Thomas tells the story of a young girl who grows green beans in her garden.

This informative story takes readers through the steps in planting and caring for bean plants. Readers follow the child and her dog through the growing season and into the winter.

Although the illustrations are basic, they effectively convey the story. Cross-sections show what’s happening under the ground.

The book concludes with information about the life cycle of plants, growing beans, and the growing season. It also contains vocabulary, suggested activities, and additional resources.

Librarians will find this book to be popular with primary grade students who are learning about and likely planting bean seeds in their classrooms. Both the story and the science are easy to follow. Use this book in a display focusing on the science of gardening.

Published by Dawn Publications on March 1, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.