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Budburst Buddies

Story and Activity

Elementary

Description

Students identify a near-by flowering tree or shrub to observe throughout the year.  Easy to follow instructions and colorful journals (provided) allow young learners to become citizen scientists as they monitor and record key changes in plants at four specific times of the year.

The lesson begins with two characters, Lily and Sage learning how observing plant cycles from buds to leaves to flowers to fruit to bare twigs can provide important information about the seasons.  Lily’s grandfather introduces the two children to the Budburst Program and they proceed to guide others through the various steps involved.

General Assessment

What skills does this resource explicitly teach?

  • Observing
  • Data recording

Strengths

The resource -

  • provides meaningful outdoor learning
  • provides hands-on / minds on learning
  • is interesting
  • is easy to use
  • teaches skills

Recommendation of how and where to use it

This activity provides very young learners with an authentic learning experience as well as an introduction to citizen science.  The lesson teaches scientific skills and serves as an excellent companion or introduction to key early learning outcomes related to growth and changes in plants.

Relevant Curriculum Units

The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.

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  • Alberta
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 2
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Living Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened through investigating natural systems and their interactions
  • British Columbia
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Kindergarten
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science: Plants and animals have observable features
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 1: Living things have features and behaviours that help them survive in their environment
  • Manitoba
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    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Characteristics and Needs of Living Things
  • New Brunswick
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    • Kindergarten
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      • Health Education
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Explore Your World: Diversity and Social Responsibility
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Explore Your World: Diversity and Social Responsibility
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Explore Your World: Diversity and Social Responsibility
  • Newfoundland & Labrador
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    • Grade 1
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Needs and Characteristics of Living Things
  • Northwest Territories
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Life Systems: Characteristics and Needs of Living Things
  • Nova Scotia
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Kindergarten
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Primary Science: Living Things
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 1: Needs of Living Things
  • Nunavut
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Life Systems: Characteristics and Needs of Living Things
  • Ontario
  • Prince Edward Island
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Kindergarten
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Exploring the World Using Our Senses
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Needs and Characteristics of Living Things
  • Quebec
  • Saskatchewan
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    • Kindergarten
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Units & Outcomes
    • Grade 1
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      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Needs & Characteristics of Living Things
  • Yukon Territory
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Kindergarten
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science: Plants and animals have observable features
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 1: Living things have features and behaviours that help them survive in their environment

Themes Addressed

Ecosystems (2)

  • Appreciating the Natural World
  • Biodiversity