Seeds of Science/Roots of Reading
Materials and Equipment
Each kit contains a set of high-quality materials and equipment sufficient for a class of 32 students. Enough consumable materials are provided for two full classes and convenient refill packages are also available. In addition, Prepaid Living Materials Cards are supplied in kits that require living organisms.
Soil Habitats Students explore soil, decomposition, habitats, adaptations, and other key concepts through firsthand investigations such as building a terrarium. They create diagrams, discuss findings, and learn how to search for and keep track of evidence with books such as The Handbook of Forest Floor Animals and My Nature Notebook. Science and literacy skills are further addressed by other unit texts such as Snail Investigations and Walk in the Woods.
Shoreline Science Students are immersed in concepts related to shoreline ecosystems, earth materials, erosion, and human impact on the environment. They gain experience with making explanations based on firsthand evidence gathered from investigations such as What is Sand and How Is It Made? as well as secondhand evidence from unit texts such as the Handbook of Sandy Beach Organisms. Science and literacy skills are further addressed by other unit texts such as My Sea Otter Report.
Designing Mixtures Students are introduced to the concept of solubility when they read the unit text Solving Dissolving. Then they engage in firsthand investigations such as testing the solubility of four possible soda ingredients and making glue. They discuss the role of cause and effect in making mixtures, then search through the reference book Handbook of Interesting Ingredients to compare their ideas to those of other scientists. Science and literacy skills are further addressed by other unit texts such as Jess Makes Hair Gel and Jelly Bean Scientist.