We have decided to create our resource package based on the new science curriculum grade one topic of Plants and Animals. Because we wanted to emphasize place-based education, we chose to focus this resource package on Plants and Animals in Southern Saskatchewan. Our resource package was designed for a three-week unit, where each week would have a different focus related to our unit. The first week of the unit would focus on how the plants and animals in Southern Saskatchewan use water. The second weeks focus is on the adaptations that the plants and animals in Southern Saskatchewan have or are making to their environment. The third week of our unit plan focused on the habitat of the plants and animals in Southern Saskatchewan.
We would introduce the unit, and begin by doing a K-W-L chart with our students. In doing this we would be able to gage how much our students know about plants and animals, to ensure we are not reteaching material they already know, and to ensure we are not overwhelming them with new information. The K-W-L chart would also allow for a student-guided unit, in which we could explore areas of interest to the students, and this would ensure all our learners were engaged and involved.
Although we have organized our resource package in a very structured manner, please feel free to use the resources and materials and adapt them anyway that you find beneficial for your individual students, and the place where you and your students are.
