Y1 Sharing the Planet: Plants - Maple Trees

As the Y1s study the connection between plants and humans, one picture book that does this literally with subtle, warm and primary-accessible illustrations is the story of Maple by Lori Nichols.   In a remarkably simple and concise,  but emotional way, this book explores the life cycle of both plants and humans, friendship and family. 

Image taken from Amazon.co.uk

I always like to ask students if they think the story is a real (nonfiction) or imaginary (fiction) story after I read it to test their understanding of these two types of books.   So to demonstrate the differences of these two,  I also read From Seed to Maple Tree by Laura Purdie Salas.

The second book was effective in establishing the difference with the Nichols book.  Students noticed the table of contents, the index, the statistics and facts that were in From Seed to Maple Tree, as well  as the absence of characters and stories that were in the first book.From Seed to Maple Tree was also useful in reinforcing their knowledge of the life cycle of the tree with the additional facts, infographics, graphs and numerical information. 

Image taken from Amazon.com.