Explore a Plant's Life Cycle with Tunnel Books!

Flourish in the whimsical world of tunnel books with this STEAM-filled exploration of plants and seeds! Challenge learners to channel their inner storyteller as they create a free-standing, sculptural artwork to visually explain the lifecycle of a plant. Referencing the five kinds of seed dispersal: gravity, water, wind, animal and attachment, each lesson builds problem-solving skills, confidence and creativity as students construct a one-of-a-kind work of art.

Grades: 1-3
Students: Up to 30
Contact Hours: 12+

Subject Targets:

Life Science, Art/STEAM, English Language Arts Connections

Recommended Settings:

• Summer camps
• Elementary classrooms looking for hands-on STEM experiences
• After-school programs

Activity Highlights:

• A hands-on program that focuses on the magic of the life sciences.
• STEAM-fueled activities explore the life cycle of a plant, referencing the five modes of seed dispersal and their relation to humans.
• Multi-subject projects challenge learners to design and create a one-of-a-kind tunnel book.

Curriculum Topics:

1. The Wonderful World of Seeds
2. The Life Cycle of a Plant
3. Seed Dispersal
4. Foreground, Middle Ground and Background
5. Art Criticism
6. Designing Tunnel Book Layers
7. Finishing Tunnel Book Layers
8. Cutting & Building
9. Artist Statement
10. Art Gallery

Reusability:

• Refill Kit Available.This product offers affordable consumable refill kits. See the materials tab for details.

Training:

Professional development webinar training is available. Talk to a PCS STEAM Program Specialist for more information.

Complete Program Includes:

Plants and Seeds comes with an Instructor’s Guide, a Curriculum Digital Download and all the print materials and all the supplies needed for 12 days of activities:

• #2 pencils (12 pk): 3
• 16 oz. container (50 pk): 1
• 1-quart, plastic bags (100 ct): 1
• 8 oz. watercolor paint: 1
  
• Colored pencils (12 pk): 6
• Color paper (100 ct): 1
• Construction paper (50 ct): 1
• Crayons (24 pk): 6
• Cutting mat: 1
• Erasers: 30+
• Fine point marker: 6
• Flip, Float, Fly by Joann Early Macken: 1
• Foam mounting square (16 ct): 2
• Foam paintbrushes: 30
• Glue Gun and 15 sticks: 1
• Glue sticks: 30
• Index cards, colored (100 pk): 1
• Index cards (100 ct): 1
• Marker, chisel tip (8 pk): 6
• Marker, fine tip (10 pk): 6
• Masking Tape: 1
• One Bean by Anne Rockwell: 1
• Paper towels (100 sheets): 1
• Pencil sharpeners: 6
• Picture mat: 25
• Playing Cards: 4 decks
• Post-it Notes (100 ct): 1
• Precision knife: 1
• Salt (1lb): 1
• Scissors (adult): 1
• Scissors (child): 30
• Seeds (250 ct): 1
• Stencils (18 ct): 1
• Storage tub: 1
• Ultimate Art paper (100 ct): 1
• White Crayons (12 pk): 1
• White folded card (50 pk): 1
• White paper (250 ct): 1

Curriculum Digital Download includes: Instructor Guide only, which includes master copies of all student pages.

Refill Kit:

Looking to use Plants and Seeds with the next round of botanists? This refill kit will get them back to their roots in no time!

• #2 pencils (12 pk): 3
• 16 oz. container (50 pk): 1
• 1-quart plastic bag (100 ct): 1
• 8 oz. watercolor paint: 2
• Colored pencils (12 pk): 6
• Color paper (100 ct): 1
• Construction paper (50 ct): 1
• Crayons (24 pk): 6
• Erasers: 50
• Foam Mounting Square: 2
• Glue Gun Sticks: 5
• Glue Sticks: 30
• Index cards, colored (100 pk): 1
• Index cards (100 pk): 1
• Marker chisel tip (8 pk): 6
• Marker fine tip (10 pk): 6
• Masking tape: 1
• Paper towels (100 sheets): 1
• Picture Mat: 5
• Post-it Notes (100 ct): 1
• Salt (1lb): 1
• Seeds (250 ct): 1
• Ultimate Art paper (100 pk): 1
• White Crayons (12 pk): 1
• White folded card (50 pk): 1
• White paper (250 ct): 1

Habits of Mind:

16 thinking habits developed by Art Costa and Bena Kallick to empower students to succeed in a 21st-century learning environment.

• Applying Past Knowledge to New Situations
• Creating, Imagining and Innovation
• Listening with Understanding and Empathy
• Persisting
• Striving for Accuracy
• Taking Responsible Risks
• Thinking and Communicating with Clarity and Precision
• Thinking Flexibly

21st Century Skills:

A set of widely-applicable abilities essential for success in the information age.

• Collaboration
• Communication
• Creativity
• Critical Thinking
• Flexibility
• Initiative
• Problem Solving
• Social Skills

© 2018 Partnership for 21st Century Learning (P21), p21.org. All Rights Reserved. P21 was not involved in the production of this product and does not endorse it.

National Core Arts Standards:

• VA:Cn10.1.3a: Develop a work of art based on observations of surroundings.
• VA:Cr1.1.1a: Engage collaboratively in exploration and imaginative play with materials.
• VA:Cr1.2.1a: Use observation and investigation in preparation for making a work of art.
• VA:Cr1.2.Ka: Engage collaboratively in creative art-making in response to an artistic problem.
• VA:Cr1.2.3a: Apply knowledge of available resources, tools, and technologies to investigate personal ideas through the art-making process.
• VA:Cr2.1.1a: Explore uses of materials and tools to create works of art or design.
• VA:Cr2.3.1a: Identify and classify uses of everyday objects through drawings, diagrams, sculptures, or other visual means.
• VA:Cr2.3.3a: Individually or collaboratively construct representations, diagrams, or maps of places that are part of everyday life.
• VA:Cr2.3.Ka: Create art that represents natural and constructed environments.
• VA:Cr3.1.1a: Use art vocabulary to describe choices while creating art.
• VA:Pr5.1.3a: Identify exhibit space and prepare works of art including artists’ statements, for presentation.
• VA:Re.7.1.3a: Speculate about processes an artist uses to create a work of art.
• VA:Re.7.1.4a: Compare responses to a work of art before and after working in similar media.
• VA:Re.7.2.3a: Determine messages communicated by an image.
• VA:Re9.1.3a: Evaluate an artwork based on given criteria.

Common Core English Language Arts Standards:

• CCSS ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.1/ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.1/ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.1: Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 1-3 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
• CCSS ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.2/ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.2/ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.2: Ask and answer questions about key details in a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media./Recount or describe key ideas or details from a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media./Determine the main ideas and supporting details of a text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.1.2/CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.2.2/CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.2: Write informative/explanatory texts in which they name a topic, supply some facts about the topic, and provide some sense of closure./Write informative/explanatory texts in which they introduce a topic, use facts and definitions to develop points, and provide a concluding statement or section./Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.

Next Generation Science Standards

• 2-LS2-2: Develop a simple model that mimics the function of an animal in dispersing seeds or pollinating plants.
  

NGSS is a registered trademark of Achieve. Neither Achieve nor the lead states and partners that developed the Next Generation Science Standards were involved in the production of this product, and do not endorse it.

Danica Robrahn

A Wood River Valley native, Danica Robrahn is thankful to be able to live and work in an Idaho community she loves, finishing her third year as the art teacher at Hemingway STEAM School. Prior to teaching in the school environment, Danica taught for six years in a local contemporary art museum doing educational outreach. Her passion for art and teaching continues to grow every day. It is her hope that students and educators alike will continue to connect through the arts and encourage creative problem-solving and self-expression in the global community. You can follow her art room by checking out current student work via Artsonia, and the art page on the school’s website. You can also see some of her art, as well as some of her past student’s work, on her website.

Click links below to view files:

• Flyer
• Spec Sheet
• Catalog & Brochures