PreK Science - Life Cycles Series (w/PRINTABLES)

My kids loved learning about life cycles, especially baby animals. For this series, we will be looking at the life cycles of different living things. Today, we will start with the life cycle of a chicken; eggs to a full-grown chicken. The 'Chicken' life cycle is a part of the Countryside theme.

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What are Life cycles? 
Life cycles are the study of a living thing (like an animal, person or plant) that is constantly changing, growing or evolving. Metamorphosis is another word used to describe the process of a life cycle. To morph is to change from one stage to another. Similarly, living things go through various changes/stages in their lives from birth to death. This is the process of a life cycle.

What is KWL Chart?
A KWL chart before a science lesson is the best way to assess your child's knowledge retention and learning. I recommend drawing the chart on a large piece of chart paper and then the adult/teacher fills it in as you progress through the activities. The KWL chart consists of three components that take place before and after a lesson.

• What you already know? (Activating prior knowledge or scaffolding; to see how much is known).
• What you would like to know? (This is the best time to address the learning objectives), and
• What was learned? (This is filled at the end of each lesson or unit of study; this is a review summary of what learning objectives were learned).

Some possible KWL responses may include: 

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Here is a copy of the KWL chart for your science plans:

Life cycle Learning Activities:

• Read a book about the life cycle of a chicken. "Cluck, Cluck Who's there? is a great fiction story by James Mayhem. The reading level for this book is at grade one. So it's also great for a beginning reader.

• Make your own life cycle chart. 
• Make a Chicken-themed word wall to practice vocabulary and phonics development. Here is a print-out of chicken-themed words and phonics practice sentences for you to get started:

• Draw a chicken or make chicken related crafts.

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• Watch a video online about the life cycle of a chicken. Here is a really cool "Story of Penny" on YouTube (The video is kid-friendly and animated).
• Study and label the structure of an egg; egg white, shell, yolk, and cracked shell.

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• Talk about an egg from a healthy eating perspective: source of protein, full of nourishing of vitamins and minerals, and over-consumption may lead to high cholesterol. 
• Discover the different ways to eat an egg: scrambled, boiled, sunny side up, or poached.

This month, we will be focusing on animals that live in the countryside or in a farm/barnyard. So watch out for other updates!

Annie