Away We Grow

Big Idea! How do plants grow?

What kinds of plants do you know? Where do plants grow? How do plants grow?

Activate Prior Knowledge 1. What kind of plants do you know about? 2. Have you ever seen a cactus plant? If so, what was special about it? 3. How is a cactus plant like other plants you know? 4. What do you know about where cactus plants are found?

Vocabulary 1. glisten – to give off a sparkle 2. seedling – a young plant 3. nectar – a sweet liquid formed in many flowers 4. cactus – a desert plant 5. sprouts – begins to grow 6. survive – to stay alive

C a c t u s Hotel By Brenda Z. Guiberson In this story, a saguaro cactus grows from a seed to full size (fifty feet) and then dies after two hundred years. Throughout its life, the cactus is used as a home by many animals, including birds, pack rats, bats, and insects. Many of these creatures make and use holes in the cactus for their homes. Focus Questions What animals make their homes in a saguaro cactus? Stop and Read

Discussion What animals make their homes in a saguaro cactus? How are homes made in a saguaro cactus? What does a saguaro cactus need to grow? Describe the life of a saguaro cactus? What happens to the animals that live there when a saguaro cactus dies?

Concept / Question Board Brainstorm ideas of things to put on the Away We Grow board. Examples would be: leaves or flowers of plants from outside, photos of plants, or seeds and advertisements. Make a list of different types of plants to put on the board.

Set Goals To build their vocabulary. To read with greater fluency. To answer questions such as When is it good to keep trying? Is there ever a time when you should stop trying?. To investigate questions and ideas about trying.

River Oaks First Grade Imagine It!