First Grade Program

Seed Travelers (October - early November)
Lost in the Woods (April - May)

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Seed Travelers (October - early November)

2 hours. First graders compile a travel guide to the natural world—for seeds! Using a map, they’ll hike woods and meadow, gathering tree and plant seeds. In the process, they’ll help a seed traveler get to a place where it can live and grow. Students will categorize their seeds by how they disperse: droppers, ploppers, poppers, hitch-hikers, sailors, copters and parachutes. We’ll save the last half hour for the Play Trail.

Science SOLs: 1.1: Observing, differentiating and classifying objects by their attributes; using pictures to record observations 1.4: Understanding the life needs, parts and characteristics of plants 1.6: Relationship of seasonal change and weather to the activities and life processes of plants and animals Social Studies/Geography SOLs: 1.4: Developing map skills

Physical Education SOLs: 1.3: Participating in moderate physical activities 1.5: Demonstrating safe and cooperative behavior in physical activity settings

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Lost in the Woods (April - May)

2 hours. When the adventurous Hansel and Gretel stray from the Boxerwood Play Trail, they quickly lose their way—and each other. This story will have a happy ending as your students come to their rescue, using a picture map and trail signs to lead their wayward friends through the woods and back to the Play Trail. Along the way, they’ll discover clues that indicate other fairytale characters have crossed the forest path before them. After drawing their own Play Trail maps, the children will gather around a giant compass rose to orient themselves. They’ll decorate a real compass that they can keep and use to find their way on other woodland adventures.

Geography SOLs: 1.4: Recognizing basic map symbols; using cardinal directions on maps 1.5: Constructing a simple map of a familiar area, using basic map symbols in the map legend.

Science SOLs: 1.5: Understanding that animals have life needs and specific physical characteristics

Physical Education SOLs 1.3: Participating in moderate physical activities 1.4: Demonstrating safe and cooperative behavior in physical activity settings