Forest Haibtats

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First grade students are learning about a variety of forest habitats.  We began by describing the forests/woodlands in the following ways:

  • mostly found in the Eastern United States, Canada, Europe, and parts of Russia, China, and Japan
  • have changing seasons (spring, summer, fall, winter)
  • get a good amount of rainfall
  • have cold winters and hot summers
  • have many animals that migrate or hibernate in winter
  • have many different species of trees and plants

Students have discussed distinctions among deciduous and coniferous trees as well as temperate and boreal forests. Students have researched and recorded information about each in the habitat portfolios  Extending our learning, we went outdoors to identify and collect a variety of leaf samples (coniferous and deciduous). Then, students conducted a simple experiment to better understand photosynthesis and how forests provide us with clean air to breathe.

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Rainforests

After learning about the temperate and boreal forests, first grade students began learning about the rainforest.  We have described the rainforest in the following ways:

  • mostly found in South America, Africa, and Southern Asia near the equator
  • very hot, wet, and humid
  • tall, leafy, green, dense plants
  • frequent (daily) rainfall
  • home to half the world’s plant and animal species
  • comprised of four layers: forest floor, understory, canopy, emergents

Through our learning we are integrating many fictional read alouds enabling us to practice reading comprehension strategies.  Through Jan Brett’s The Umbrella and Lynne Cherry’s The Great Kapok Tree we continue to practice visualization, sequencing, making and revising predictions, and making connections.  Learning about the rainforest, students will make diagrams showing the layers of the rainforest as well as the plants and animals inhabiting each.

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The Summit Preparatory School is a fully accredited, non-religious, private school offering a full-time seated independent education for students in Springfield, Ozark, Nixa, Rogersville, and the greater Southwest Missouri area. Our preparatory school setting offers an enriching early childhood, elementary, middle school, and high school curriculum in a supportive environment. We have state of the art facilities, highly-qualified teachers and staff, and a large range of educational programming. Interested in enrolling your child? Learn more about our admissions process.

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