We have started a new unit of study: Trees! To begin our unit, we went on a nature walk to observe trees and collect artifacts. Our kindergarten scientists were busy noticing the parts of the trees, wondering about different types of leaves, and asking great scientific questions. In our classroom, we have a new R.A.N. (Reading and Analyzing Nonfiction) chart. The five sections on this chart include: Prior Knowledge, Confirmed Thinking, Misconceptions, New Learning, and Wonderings. We visit the chart often to see if we can add to our new learning, or if our research has confirmed our prior knowledge. The kindergartners do the thinking, and I do the writing on the chart. Your child gets to visit the Research Center in our classroom during Managed Independent Learning. They study the books about Trees and find research that they would like to share with our class. Check out the pictures below to see some of the research that two scientists completed. Your scientist might be interested in doing research at home! If you find any interesting articles or facts about trees...please send them to school with your child!