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Learning Centers

Writing Center
Vocabulary Center
Science Puzzle Center
Listening Center
Computer Center
Art Center
Reading Center

Writing Center

Materials:
    writing prompts
    paper
    pencil
    science book

Grouping:  individual

Directions:

1. Choose a writing prompt from the list.
2. Write a paper explaining the topic you chose.  (You may refer to your science book for information on your topic.)
3. Use a graphic organizer such as a table as an outline for your paper. 
4. You must have an opening sentence and a closing sentence.
5. You should have at least three ideas to explain your topic.
6. Write at least one sentence explaining each idea.
7. Try to use transition words such as first, second and finally when you switch from one idea to another.
8. Your paper should have at least 8 sentences.
9. Turn in your graphic organizer and your paper.

Vocabulary Center

Materials:
    one deck of plant unit vocabulary cards
    science book

Grouping:  work in pairs

Directions:

1. Lay all the cards in the deck face down in rows and columns.
2. One student will flip over two cards.  If the student flips over a vocabulary word and its matching definition they keep the cards, they get to keep those cards and take another turn.  If the student does not flip over the two cards that go together, their turn is over.
3. Students may use the glossary in their science books to check their answers.
4. The student with the most cards at the end of the game wins.                

Science Puzzle Center

Materials:
    plant unit puzzle
    science book

Grouping:  pairs

Directions:

1. Try to piece the plant unit puzzle together.
2. A statement or question should match next to the correct answer.
3. You may use your science book as a reference.

Listening Center

Materials:
    book on tape, A Gift from the Trees
    tape player
    head phones
    questions about story
    paper

Grouping:  individual

Directions:

1. Using the tape player and head phones, listen to the book on tape, A Gift from the Trees.
2. After listening to the story answer the questions to the story.
3. Turn in your answers to the questions.

Computer Learning Center

Materials:
    Computer
    CD-Rom
    Head phones

Grouping:  individual

Directions:

9. Insert the CD-Rom into the computer.
10. Select a game to play on the menu.
11. Play the game.
12. When you finish you may choose another game to play from the menu.

Art Center

Materials:
    blank white paper
    crayons or markers
    pencil
    science book

Grouping:  individual

Directions:

1. Choose either an animal cell or a plant cell.
2. Draw the cell you chose. (You may refer to pages A10 and A11 in your science book).
3. Make sure you label all the parts of the cell.
4. Turn your drawing in.

Reading Center

Materials:
    books about plants
    fiction worksheet
    non-fiction worksheet

Grouping:  individual

Directions:

1. Choose one of the books about plants to read.
2. Read the book quietly to yourself.
3. After reading the book, answer the questions on the worksheet.  If you read a fiction book, complete the fiction worksheet.  If you read a non-fiction book, complete the non-fiction worksheet.
4. Turn in your completed worksheet.

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