THIRD GRADE
Scroll down to view the Living Classroom lessons that third grade teachers can schedule for their classes this year.
FALL
LIFE CYCLE OF A TOMATO #1
In the fall, students begin their study of the life cycle of a tomato plant as they save seeds from heirloom tomatoes for planting in late winter/early spring. Students also create a tomato life cycle craft and make yummy salsa to eat!
CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS:
NGSS: 3-LS1-1; 3-LS3-1
Common Core: SL.3; L.5.b
Framework for K-12 Science Education: Disciplinary Core Ideas LS1.B; LS3.A, LS3.B
TWIG Science: Welcome to the Biodome
DATES OFFERED: 9/4/24-11/1/24
LESSON LENGTH: 75 Minutes
PARENT VOLUNTEERS: 3
THREE SISTERS GARDEN FALL HARVEST
During the fall, students weigh and measure corn, beans, and squash from a traditional Native American Three Sisters garden and discover the many ways that the Ohlone people use native plants for survival.
CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS:
State History & Social Studies Standards: 2.3.3; 3.5.1
Common Core Content Standards for Mathematics: 2.
DATES OFFERED: 9/4/24-11/22/24
LESSON LENGTH: 60-75 Minutes
PARENT VOLUNTEERS: 2
WINTER
THE MIGHTY WORM
Students investigate the anatomy of an earthworm to identify adaptations that help the worm grow, reproduce, and survive in its unique habitat. Students also identify the role of an earthworm as a decomposer and build a worm habitat that can be used as a model for further observation on the specific needs of a species for survival.
CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS:
NGSS: 3-LS1-1; 3-LS4-3
Framework for K-12 Science Education: Disciplinary Core Ideas LS1.B
TWIG Science: Welcome to the Biodome
DATES OFFERED: 1/7/25-2/28/25
LESSON LENGTH: 60-75 Minutes
PARENT VOLUNTEERS: 2
LIFE CYCLE OF A TOMATO #2
In late winter, students plant the heirloom tomato seeds that they saved in the fall and watch them grow. They also learn the history of how tomatoes gained popularity around the world and enjoy a fun story about growing tomatoes.
CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS:
NGSS: 3-LS1-1; 3-LS3-1
Common Core: SL.3; L.5.b
Framework for K-12 Science Education: Disciplinary Core Ideas LS1.B; LS3.A, LS3.B
TWIG Science: Welcome to the Biodome
DATES OFFERED: 3/4/25-5/2/25
LESSON LENGTH: 60-75 Minutes
PARENT VOLUNTEERS: 2
SPRING
THREE SISTERS GARDEN SPRING PLANTING
In the spring, students plant a Three Sisters garden as a gift for the incoming third grade students to harvest in the fall. They also learn the importance of seed saving and how to calculate harvest dates.
CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS:
State History & Social Studies Standards: 2.3.3; 3.5.1
Common Core State Standard in Mathematics: 3.MD
DATES OFFERED: 3/25/25-5/30/25
LESSON LENGTH: 60-75 Minutes
PARENT VOLUNTEERS: 2
THIRD GRADE RESOURCES
LIFE CYCLE OF A TOMATO LESSON RESOURCES
SAVING SEEDS FROM HEIRLOOM TOMATOES
Learn how to save seeds from heirloom tomatoes and grow your favorite tomatoes year after year! This activity comes from one of our 3rd grade lessons but, with adult supervision, can be enjoyed by people ages 3-99!
I WILL NEVER NOT EVER EAT A TOMATO READ ALOUD
Click the book cover above to enjoy a fun read aloud about eating tomatoes!
Click here for a fun tomato tasting activity at home!
LEARN HOW TO MAKE SALSA!
Learn about the life cycle of a tomato plant and how to make a delicious salsa. Click here for the recipe!
BEAR AND BUNNY GROW TOMATOES READ ALOUD
Click the book cover above to enjoy a fun read aloud about growing tomatoes.
THREE SISTERS GARDEN LESSON RESOURCES
GO ON AN ACORN HUNT!
Acorns are a staple food in the California Native American diet. Acorns grow on oak trees and come in all different shapes and sizes depending on the type of oak tree they come from. Fall is a great time of year to go outside and hunt for acorns. Download a free app called "SEEK" by iNaturalist and take photos of the leaves to help you identify each oak species you find. Note: Acorns contain tannic acid which has to be leached (washed) out of the acorn flour before it can be safely consumed.
THREE SISTERS GARDEN FALL HARVEST
Watch this video to see how Living Classroom harvests corn, beans and squash from a Three Sisters Garden!
MYSTERY SCHOOL GARDEN SERIES
Watch our Mystery School Garden videos to learn more about California Native American uses of native plants! Enjoy seeing some of our edible gardens too! Can you guess which school we are at?
FLOWER OR LEAF HUNT
Go on a flower or leaf hunt in your backyard, neighborhood, or park and sketch the different adaptations that you notice.
LEAF TRACING OR RUBBING
Collect different leaves and trace and color them or place them underneath a sheet of paper and use a crayon on its side to make a rubbing of each leaf.
ADDITIONAL NATURE-BASED ACTIVITIES
SAVING SEEDS FROM HEIRLOOM TOMATOES
Learn how to save seeds from heirloom tomatoes and grow your favorite tomatoes year after year!
ZERO WASTE HEROES!
Learn how to create a zero waste lunch and live more sustainably!
LIVING CLASSROOM'S ART IN NATURE SERIES
NATURE CREATURES
Go for a nature walk and collect natural materials to make fun nature creatures. You can even make your own self-portrait! Collect each part of a plant: root, stem, leaf, flower, fruit, and seed.
SPELLING WITH NATURE
Collect natural materials on a nature walk to make words with. You will need to collect each part of a plant: root, stem, leaf, seed, flower, and fruit.
QUIET LEAF TRACING
Find three leaves to creatively trace and color. Use this activity as an opportunity to relax and meditate.
Flying Foxes at the Lubee Bat Conservancy
Jellyfish at the Aquarium of the Pacific
Mississippi River Flyway Cam
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