Week 1: The Science of Waking Up

Theme: Seeds and Weather

I Do: Explain that spring is a time of "dormancy ending." Show how a seed is like a tiny backpack packed with a lunch and a map for a plant.

We Do: Set up a "Window Garden." Wet a paper towel, place it in a clear jar with lima beans against the glass. Predict how many days it will take to see a root.

You Do: Daily Weather Tracker. Eleanor will measure the temperature at the same time every day and record it on a bar graph.
Success Criteria: Accurate data entry and a labeled diagram of a sprouting seed.

Week 2: Growing Green

Theme: Plant Anatomy and Measurement

I Do: Introduce the parts of a flower (stamen, pistil, petals, stem). Use a real tulip or lily to point these out.

We Do: "The Great Dissection." Together, carefully pull apart a flower and glue the parts onto a piece of cardstock, labeling each part correctly.

You Do: Measurement Challenge. Eleanor will choose three different outdoor plants to "adopt." Every three days, she will measure their height and record it in her Nature Journal.
Real-World Relevance: Discuss why farmers need to know which plants grow fastest in the spring.

Week 3: Wings and Wonders

Theme: Pollinators and Poetry

I Do: Watch a video or read a book about the "Pollination Dance." Explain how bees and butterflies help flowers make seeds.

We Do: The "Pollinator Simulation." Use Cheetos or orange chalk dust on a paper flower to show how "pollen" sticks to a "bee's" (Eleanor's) fingers and moves to the next flower.

You Do: Creative Writing. Write an "Interview with a Bee." What is the bee's favorite flower? What does it think of humans?
Art Integration: Create a "Symmetry Butterfly" using the wet-on-wet watercolor technique (painting half and folding the paper).

Week 4: Spring Around the World

Theme: Culture and Celebration

I Do: Share stories of how different people celebrate spring (e.g., Holi in India, Cherry Blossom festivals in Japan, or Nowruz in Central Asia).

We Do: Cook a "Spring Feast." Prepare a recipe together using spring vegetables (peas, asparagus, or strawberries) to celebrate the end of the unit.

You Do: The Spring Portfolio Showcase. Eleanor organizes her journal, graphs, and art into a presentation to share with family or friends.
Summative Assessment: Eleanor must explain three things she learned about the connection between weather, plants, and animals.

Differentiation & Adaptability

• Scaffolding (For Support): Provide a pre-printed weather graph where Eleanor only has to color in the bars. Use sentence starters for the writing prompts.
• Extension (For Challenge): Research "Phototropism" (how plants move toward light) and design an experiment with a shoebox maze to see if a sprout can find the light.
• Flexible Context: If no outdoor space is available, use a community park or focus on "Kitchen Science" using store-bought celery and food coloring to show water transport.

Assessment & Reflection

Formative: Weekly "Nature Journal" checks to ensure observations are being recorded accurately.

Summative: The Final Showcase. Can Eleanor use the correct vocabulary (pollination, germination, Celsius/Fahrenheit) while explaining her work?

Student Reflection: Ask Eleanor: "What was the most surprising thing you saw wake up this month? If you were a plant, what kind of spring weather would you like best?"

Closing Recap

Spring is more than just flowers; it is a giant, busy system of weather, growth, and community. We’ve tracked the heat, measured the leaves, met the pollinators, and celebrated the world’s traditions. You are now a certified Spring Explorer!