The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) are a game-changer for science at the elementary level. They are performance standards – the students must “do science” in order to show attainment. Because they need to be worked into the very busy day in an elementary classroom, it is imperative the science standards be integrated with reading and writing workshops and not treated as a separate subject. The Science Clubhouse Workshop series does just that. As a matter of fact, this lesson is also included as a part of a larger, 10 lesson compilation sold here on TPT. Search for: Science Clubhouse Workshop 1st Grade Compilation (All 10 lessons together).
Are You My Parent? is a lesson designed to meet one of the NGSS life science performance standards (Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits) for first grade. It includes a laboratory exercise, a reading lesson, and writing lesson tied to the science and/or engineering concepts covered.
The book used in this lesson, Are You My Mother? by P. D. Eastman is published by Random House Books for Young Readers, copyright 1960.
This lesson integrates science, reading, and writing standards. It is a lesson about observing and making comparisons based on evidence, not about just matching baby organisms to their parents.
4. Use Are You My Mother? by P. D. Eastman is published by Random House Books for Young Readers, copyright 1960as a Read-Aloud book accompanied by accountable talk from readers.
5. Make observations about real organisms and their parents (if available) and/or use the images provided in this lesson for productive group work.
6. Write a scientific observational journal including instructions describing “how-to” observe and compare baby organisms and their parents (informational writing). The goal will be to do the best writing the students can do. Expectations should match students’ skills and goals.
Keyterms: Edvance21, Gail Wortmann, CC, CCSS, Common Core, Writing, Reading, Science, Engineering, NGSS 1-LS3-1, Next Generation Science Standards 1-LS3-1