In the fall, students begin their study of the life cycle of a tomato plant as they save seeds from heirloom tomatoes for planting in late winter/early spring. Students also create a tomato life cycle craft and make yummy salsa to eat!
CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS:
NGSS: 3-LS1-1; 3-LS3-1
Common Core: SL.3; L.5.b
Framework for K-12 Science Education: Disciplinary Core Ideas LS1.B; LS3.A, LS3.B
TWIG Science: Welcome to the Biodome
DATES OFFERED: 9/4/24-11/1/24
LESSON LENGTH: 75 Minutes
PARENT VOLUNTEERS: 3
During the fall, students weigh and measure corn, beans, and squash from a traditional Native American Three Sisters garden and discover the many ways that the Ohlone people use native plants for survival.
CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS:
State History & Social Studies Standards: 2.3.3; 3.5.1
Common Core Content Standards for Mathematics: 2.
DATES OFFERED: 9/4/24-11/22/24
LESSON LENGTH: 60-75 Minutes
PARENT VOLUNTEERS: 2
Students investigate the anatomy of an earthworm to identify adaptations that help the worm grow, reproduce, and survive in its unique habitat. Students also identify the role of an earthworm as a decomposer and build a worm habitat that can be used as a model for further observation on the specific needs of a species for survival.
CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS:
NGSS: 3-LS1-1; 3-LS4-3
Framework for K-12 Science Education: Disciplinary Core Ideas LS1.B
TWIG Science: Welcome to the Biodome
DATES OFFERED: 1/7/25-2/28/25
LESSON LENGTH: 60-75 Minutes
PARENT VOLUNTEERS: 2
In late winter, students plant the heirloom tomato seeds that they saved in the fall and watch them grow. They also learn the history of how tomatoes gained popularity around the world and enjoy a fun story about growing tomatoes.
CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS:
NGSS: 3-LS1-1; 3-LS3-1
Common Core: SL.3; L.5.b
Framework for K-12 Science Education: Disciplinary Core Ideas LS1.B; LS3.A, LS3.B
TWIG Science: Welcome to the Biodome
DATES OFFERED: 3/4/25-5/2/25
LESSON LENGTH: 60-75 Minutes
PARENT VOLUNTEERS: 2
In the spring, students plant a Three Sisters garden as a gift for the incoming third grade students to harvest in the fall. They also learn the importance of seed saving and how to calculate harvest dates.
CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS:
State History & Social Studies Standards: 2.3.3; 3.5.1
Common Core State Standard in Mathematics: 3.MD
DATES OFFERED: 3/25/25-5/30/25
LESSON LENGTH: 60-75 Minutes
PARENT VOLUNTEERS: 2
Click the book cover above to enjoy a fun read aloud about eating tomatoes!
Click here for a fun tomato tasting activity at home!
Learn about the life cycle of a tomato plant and how to make a delicious salsa. Click here for the recipe!
Acorns are a staple food in the California Native American diet. Acorns grow on oak trees and come in all different shapes and sizes depending on the type of oak tree they come from. Fall is a great time of year to go outside and hunt for acorns. Download a free app called "SEEK" by iNaturalist and take photos of the leaves to help you identify each oak species you find. Note: Acorns contain tannic acid which has to be leached (washed) out of the acorn flour before it can be safely consumed.
Go on a flower or leaf hunt in your backyard, neighborhood, or park and sketch the different adaptations that you notice.
Collect different leaves and trace and color them or place them underneath a sheet of paper and use a crayon on its side to make a rubbing of each leaf.
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