REATIVE RAFTS

Here are some crafts and activities that we enjoy and have to do with the outdoors and science.

CTIVITIES

Grade: 3-8

Subject: Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies

  Activity: “Poet-tree”

  Writing and sharing poems will give the students an opportunity to share their feelings, values, and beliefs about poems in creative and artistic ways.

  Using the different forms of poetry, students will be able to communicate their feelings about the environment. It is important to have each of the different types of poems focused on nature and there perspective about nature.

  Complete this activity as students are outdoors observing trees, plants, gardens, and other natural objects.

Grade: 3-6

Subject: Science and Language Arts

Activity: Habitat Pen Pals

Objective:        

v     Students will explain the relationship between climate, conditions and habitat.

v     Students will identify relationships between organisms within habitats and distinguish between kinds of animals that can/can’t live in a particular habitat.

Focus on the many different types of habitats that students could see. List and describe the outdoor habitat that the students live in. After selecting a habitat in which an animal could live, have students answer the questions pertinent to the habitat (animals that live there, special features, climate, and plant life). Exchange essays and have students guess the habitat using general knowledge about the habitat.

See page 18 for additional activity information in Project Learning Tree.

Grade: 1-6

Subject: Science, Language Arts, and the Visual Arts

Activity: The Forest of S.T. Shrew

Objective:

v     Students will identify microhabitats in the forest by drawing pictures of writing a story describing a microhabitat.

v     Students will describe some of the plants and animals that characterize several microhabitats within the forest.

Take the students on a nature walk through your hands on learning area so they can take a closer look at the microhabitats that exist in their habitat. Have them write and draw expressing their information.

See page 20 for additional activity information in Project Learning Tree.

Grade: 4-6

Subject: Science, Language Arts, Visual Arts

Activity: Planet of Plenty

Objective:

v     Students will investigate the diversity of plants and animals on a small plot of land and explain the value of diversity of life forms in a particular ecosystem.

  Have students break up into teams to analyze the different life forms in their courtyard ecosystem.  Look at the different ecosystems that exist in the area and describe all the plants and animals living in their small ecosystem.  Review the population (overpopulation/under population) of there area.

  See page 24 in Project Learning Tree for more information.

  Suggestions for “Teaching Out of Doors” (Appendix 6, Project Learning Tree)

  “Every opportunity a child has to learning in the outdoors has the potential to become an experience that will be remembered for many years. Treat every occasion as a special event.”

v     Have a group signal

v     Stay within the boundaries of the area.

v     All living things including plants are to be treated with respect and care. Don’t harm or injury these things.

v     Stay with a buddy

v     Follow ALL directions the first time,

v     Short investigations into the outdoors.

  These activities are good suggestions for teachers, student clubs, or parents. They are kid tested and enjoyable hands-on learning experiences.

  Take these suggestions for starting an environmental club or an outdoor classroom.

  (As described in Appendix 7 of Project Learning Tree)

 Starting an environmental club:

1.      Announce the formation of a club

2.      Brainstorm some club activities

3.      START SMALL AND GROW LARGER

4.      Set up meeting times for everyone to learn and have fun!

Ideas for areas in your outdoor classroom:

1.      Nature Trail

2.      Outdoor Seats

3.      Bird Feeder/Nesting area

4.      Animal Tracking Plot

5.      Weather Station

6.      Herb Garden Plot

7.      Flower Garden

8.      Soil Studies

9.      Log Station

10.  Rock Pile

  Children across America take charge and bring outdoor and hands-on learning to your school. Speak to your parents, teachers and principal to help get your learning center started!

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