As we continue to learn about living things we have shifted our focus from animals to plants. While plants, like animals, need certain things to survive, we are noticing some key differences between plants and animals, especially that plants make their own food. We have been exploring plants with our third and fourth grade partners. A couple of weeks ago each pair found a plant to examine, draw, and label, roots and all. We then planted corn seeds in clear cups so we can observe the plants as they grow. We use our science notebooks to draw and label our observations. It is especially nice to have our partners with us when we use our notebooks, as they share many of the strategies they have already tried, for example making two drawings showing different perspectives. Our ECO theme this week was leaves, a very important part of the plant we have learned.   During ECO children also had some time for free exploration. It is fascinating to watch their ideas unfold when they have the time and space to let their imaginations go. I saw lots of creative problem solving and team -work as children worked on a variety of projects in the woods.