Notes from the Field . . .

Structures of Life Chants

By Anna Williamson, Elementary Science Specialist, Everett Public Schools, Everett, Washington

Anna created these chants to use as whole body activities for the FOSS Structures of Life Module to support English language learners and reinforce content knowledge for all students.

Crayfish

To the rhyme of Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

I see a habitat looking at me.

Habitat, habitat, what do you need?

We need water, shelter, and air to breathe,

Elodea, potatoes, and meat to eat.

We are omnivores and that can't be beat.

Crayfish, crayfish, what do you see?

I see structures looking at me.

Structures, structures, what could you be?

Carapace, pincers, and eye stalks too,

Antennae, swimmerets to name a few.

Crayfish, crayfish, what do you see?

I see other crustaceans looking at me.

Crustaceans, crustaceans, who are you?

Crab, lobster, shrimp, and prawns,

We are all aquatic and don't live on lawns.

Crayfish, crayfish what do you see?

I see behavior looking at me.

Behavior, behavior, how do you act?

We defend our territory and watch our back.

Territory, territory, part of a habitat,

It's a place we call our own cause we know where it's at.

Aggressive or passive crayfish can be.

Those are the crayfish that we will see!

I Know a Seed I know a seed A dormant, resting seed That has an embryo ready to grow. I know a seed A germinating, growing seed That has a seed coat and a cotyledon for food. I know a seed A growing, thriving seed That has become a seedling. I know a seedling A growing, thriving seedling That has a strong stem. I know a seedling A growing, thriving seedling That has flat, green leaves. I know a plant A strong green plant That has a fruit full of new seeds.

Plant Life
Marine Corps Cadence

We just know what we've been told,

Plants are worth their weight in gold.

They give us food that we can eat,

And oxygen so we can breathe.

Sound Off—leaves and stems!

Sound Off—flowers too!

Sound Off! 1-2-3-4! Plant life!

Plants need light and water too,

Nutrients come through the roots.

Inside the fruit you find the seeds,

To grow new plants and even trees.

Sound Off—water and light!

Sound Off—soil too!

Sound Off! 1-2-3-4! Plant life!