Grow Up Great
Note: Prior to beginning this lesson, place an assortment of collected leaves on a tray for each table, plus an additional tray for demonstration. Place the lettuce and edible leaves on a separate tray – keep this tray just for discussing and, later, for taste testing.
A leaf is the flat part of a plant that uses the sun to make food for the plant. Leaves grow on trees, bushes, and plants. Leaf shapes, sizes, and colors differ from one kind of plant to another. Most plant leaves are broad and flat. However, some plants, like a cactus, have thick, juicy leaves. Leaves keep their shape with the help of the lines on the underside of the leaf. These lines on a leaf are called veins. Veins also help the leaf to carry food and water. The veins on a leaf are slightly raised, giving the leaf some texture. They can form interesting designs.
Many types of leaves are edible and are eaten raw; these are mostly leaves from vegetable plants. There are many varieties of leafy vegetables, including lettuces, spinach, and cabbages. Most leafy vegetables have tender stems that make them easier to chew. Tree leaves usually have thicker stems that are harder and do not bend as easily as vegetable stems. Some leaves are seasonal and change colors in the fall. These leaves come from trees and bushes.
A leaf is the flat part of a plant that uses the sun to make food for the plant. Leaves grow on trees, bushes, and plants. Leaf shapes, sizes, and colors differ from one kind of plant to another. Most plant leaves are broad and flat. However, some plants, like a cactus, have thick, juicy leaves. Leaves keep their shape with the help of the lines on the underside of the leaf. These lines on a leaf are called veins. Veins also help the leaf to carry food and water. The veins on a leaf are slightly raised, giving the leaf some texture. They can form interesting designs.
These lessons are aligned with the Common Core State Standards ("CCSS"). The CCSS provide a consistent, clear understanding of the concepts and skills children are expected to learn and guide teachers to provide their students with opportunities to gain these important skills and foundational knowledge.[2]
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There are currently no Common Core Standards for pre-k, but these lessons are aligned as closely as possible to capture the requirements and meet the goals of Common Core Standards. However, these lessons were neither reviewed or approved by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices or the Council of Chief State School Officers, which together are the owners and developers of the Common Core State Standards.
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