Weeks 28-36 • Focus: Life Cycles, Weather, and Environmental Stewardship
The final quarter of the year focuses on growth and cycles in the natural world, culminating in an understanding of our role as caretakers of the Earth. Students will apply the skills they have developed all year to new content, moving toward greater independence in their learning. This quarter brings together science, environmental awareness, and mathematical thinking in meaningful ways.
Academic Skills:
Content Knowledge:
Exploring meteorology and the water cycle through hands-on experiments
National Geographic Kids Everything Weather
by Kathy Furgang
Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring
by Kenard Pak
Begin "Water Cycle in a Bag" experiment. Place water with blue food coloring in sealable bag, draw sun and clouds on outside, tape to sunny window.
Read weather books. Start weather observation journal - daily drawings and descriptions.
Observe water cycle bag - see evaporation (water level decreasing) and condensation (droplets forming at top).
Build simple rain gauge from plastic bottle. Begin daily measurements. 1.MD.2
Begin informative writing: "How the Water Cycle Works" with labeled diagram. 1W2
Make a wind vane to observe wind direction. Record in weather journal.
Discuss how weather impacts activities: What we wear, outdoor plans, school closings.
Measure rainfall with rain gauge using non-standard units (finger-widths) or centimeters.
Check water cycle bag for "precipitation" (droplets running down). Complete cycle observation.
Complete water cycle explanation with evaporation, condensation, precipitation labels.
Read Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring. Discuss seasonal changes observed. Create "Signs of Spring" chart.
Track daylight hours - note sunrise/sunset times. Discuss how daylight increases in spring. 1-ESS1-2
Create weather graph showing sunny, cloudy, rainy days from the week. Analyze the data collected.
Make a class book: "Our Weather Week" with each child contributing a page about different weather observed.
Science Materials:
Activities:
Investigating growth and change in the natural world
The Tiny Seed
by Eric Carle
Rabbits, Rabbits, and More Rabbits
by Gail Gibbons
From Caterpillar to Butterfly
by Deborah Heiligman
The central activity is planting bean seeds in clear cups with damp paper towels. This allows daily observation of the entire germination and growth process.
Dissect soaked lima bean. Identify seed coat, embryo, and food source (cotyledon). Draw and label parts.
Read The Tiny Seed. Discuss the journey of a seed through seasons.
Plant bean seeds in clear cups. Make predictions about what will happen. Begin daily observation journal.
Introduction to fractions: Cut apple in half to share. "Two equal parts make halves." 1.G.3
Observe and draw daily changes in seeds. Look for root emergence, then stem. Measure growth with non-standard units.
Discuss how people use plants: food (fruits, vegetables), clothing (cotton), shelter (wood). 1.6a
Cut sandwiches into fourths. "Four equal parts make fourths or quarters." Practice fraction language.
Read Rabbits, Rabbits, and More Rabbits. Identify main topic and retell key details about rabbit families. 1R2
Compare baby and adult animals. Note similarities and differences. 1-LS3-1
Read From Caterpillar to Butterfly. Create butterfly life cycle wheel showing egg, larva, pupa, adult stages.
Continue plant observations. Create artistic representation of plant growth stages.
Compare plant and animal life cycles. Create Venn diagram showing similarities (grow, change) and differences (seeds vs. eggs).
Practice partitioning circles and rectangles into halves and fourths. Real-world connections with pizza, brownies.
Create class book: "Amazing Life Cycles" with each child illustrating and writing about a plant or animal's growth.
Science Materials:
Math Materials:
Understanding our role as environmental stewards
What a Waste: Trash, Recycling, and Protecting our Planet
by Jess French
Michael Recycle
by Ellie Bethel
This week focuses on practical environmental actions children can take in their daily lives to protect our planet.
Read What a Waste. Discuss where trash goes and why it matters.
Learn about Earth Day and conservation. Discuss the Three R's: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. 1.3c
Set up classroom recycling center. Sort items: paper, plastic, glass. Child becomes "Recycling Monitor" for the week.
Shape hunt in recyclables. Identify 2D shapes and discuss defining attributes (triangle = 3 sides, closed). 1.G.1
Begin opinion writing: "Why we should recycle" with at least two reasons. 1W1
Create art from recycled materials - "trash robots" or magazine collages.
Neighborhood or park clean-up activity. Practice being responsible citizens.
Read Michael Recycle. Discuss how one person can make a difference.
Complete opinion writing pieces. Create Earth Day pledges - personal promises to help the Earth.
Plant a tree or flowers (if possible) or start herb garden in classroom. Connect to plant life cycle learning.
Continue shape exploration. Build 3D shapes from recyclables. Compare 2D and 3D shapes.
Create Earth Day exhibit with recycled art, conservation tips, and pledges to share with families.
Conservation Materials:
Activities:
Celebrating a year of learning through student choice and reflection
This week is a celebration of the year's learning, focused on review and reflection in a fun, low-stress format. Students take ownership by choosing their favorite activities.
Ask: "What was your favorite math game we played this year?" Play student's choice of games from throughout the year.
"Which science experiment should we do again?" Repeat a favorite experiment with child as the teacher explaining it.
"What was the best book we read together?" Re-read favorites and discuss why they were special.
Create "First Grade Memory Book" with a page for each month/theme. Child draws and writes about favorite activities.
Special celebration day with favorite snacks, outdoor time, and sharing the memory book with family.
Formalizing year-end assessment and celebrating growth
This final week is for completing the year-end assessment required by NYS and celebrating your child's incredible growth and achievements.
Schedule and administer one of the approved tests:
Have a certified teacher or qualified individual review the portfolio and write a narrative assessment of the child's progress.
Host a special event where the student showcases their work:
Compile all necessary documentation for your final report:
| Title | Author | Week(s) Used |
|---|---|---|
| National Geographic Kids Everything Weather | Kathy Furgang | Weeks 28-29 |
| Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring | Kenard Pak | Weeks 28-29 |
| The Tiny Seed | Eric Carle | Weeks 30-32 |
| Rabbits, Rabbits, and More Rabbits | Gail Gibbons | Weeks 30-32 |
| From Caterpillar to Butterfly | Deborah Heiligman | Weeks 30-32 |
| What a Waste | Jess French | Weeks 33-34 |
| Michael Recycle | Ellie Bethel | Weeks 33-34 |
You've completed an amazing year of first grade homeschooling. Your child has grown tremendously in reading, writing, mathematics, and understanding of the world. Celebrate this incredible achievement!