Friday, August 23, 2013


Nature walks
The benefits of spending time outside are many and varied. Studies show that children who spend time outdoors get better grades in school, have less behavior problems, and are healthier over all. Nature walks are great way to introduce your students to spending time outdoors during the school day.

Sit Spots
Sit spots are a place for students (and adults!) to regularly sit and observe the natural world around them. They should be close to home or school and easily accessible. They teach students to relax, slow down and observe. It is amazing what you can notice about the natural world when you are sitting on the ground quietly looking and listening.

Take students on a walk to a quiet wooded area either close to your school or on a nature trail close to school. It should be a location within walking distance so that it can be accessed regularly. Instruct students to find a comfortable place to sit alone but within eyesight or hearing distance of teachers. Students should find a spot that appeals to them personally. Allow 10-20 minutes (depending on age of students) for students to sit quietly and observe and listen to what is around them. It is amazing the sights and sounds they will observe once everyone is still and quiet.

Return to your sit spots at least once a week. Observe the changes in your sit spot as the seasons change. Sit spots are a wonderful lead in to nature journaling. Look for more information on nature journaling coming next week!

Backyard/Schoolyard Nature Find

Nature is all around us - it is not someplace that we need to travel to find. Who lives near you? A colony of ants? A robin? Take students outside to your schoolyard. Instruct everyone to quietly observe, search, listen, look for wildlife, and plants. Make a list of what you find. As an assignment that evening have students do the same in their own backyards. Even if students do not know what they saw they can write down a description. Compare lists the next day. Investigate animals or plants that you did not know. How will the changing seasons change what you observe? Make predictions and check them throughout the school year.

Seed Hike
As the season slowly changes to fall nature prepares itself for the coming cold months. Plants produce seeds to carry on the next spring. Many seeds have hooks or barbs that get stuck in animal fur (or socks) and then get distributed. Some seeds get eaten by wildlife, others get dropped and grow in the spring.

Have each student bring an old pair of socks to school. Take a walk to a local prairie, pasture, meadow or other area with tall grasses and plants. Have students put the old socks on over their shoes. Walk through the grassed area. Observe as you walk. What seeds do you see? What plant are they growing on?

After you have walked though the area have students take off their socks and examine them carefully. Outdoors or once you have returned to the classroom have each student remove the seeds from their socks and sort them. Use a magnifying glass or microscope to observe the seeds. What do you see? What kind of barbs or hooks do the seeds have? How do this help with seed distribution? What animals, if any, do you think eats these seeds?

Book Lists
Grades 3-5
Art, H.W. and M.W. Robbins. 2003. Woods Walk: Peepers, Porcupines and Exploding Puffballs! What You'll See, Hear and Smell When Exploring the Woods. Storey Books.
Boring, M. 1999. Fun with Nature. T&N Children's Publishing.
Burns, D.L. 1996. Berries Nuts and Seeds. T&N Children's Publishing.
Kirkland, J. 2002. Take a Tree Walk. Stillwater Publishing.
Kirkland, J. 2006. Take a City Nature Walk. Stillwater Publishing.
Ross, M.E. 1993. World of Small: Nature Explorations with a Hand Lens. Yosemite Association.

Grades 6-8
Lawlor, E.P. 1993. Discover Nature Close to Home: Things to Know and Things to Do. Stackpole Books.

Grades 9-12
Leslie, C. 2003. Keeping a Nature Journal. Storey Publishing.

 

 

Monday, August 12, 2013


Nature-based Classroom Ice Breakers

Who Am I?
For this activity tape or pin the name of a wildlife species on the back of each participant and make sure everyone has paper and a pencil. Each person tries to figure out what animal he or she is by walking up to other participants and getting clues from them. For example, Person A gives clues to Person B by briefly describing what Person B is in one to four words. Person B writes down this description and then briefly describes what Person A is in one to four words. Person A writes down this clue and both people move on to other participants for new clues. Be sure to set a time limit before the group begins the activity. Wrap up by asking for three to five volunteers to guess what they think they are, based on the clues they received.

Guess My Name
Ask the participants to make a list of ten words to describe an animal of their choice on a sheet of paper. They then tape the sheet of paper to themselves and move about the room, reading each other’s lists. They introduce themselves to each other and try to guess what animal each list describes.

Artistic Introductions
Ask participants to draw or model out of clay an animal they feel represents themselves. Divide the participants into groups and have each explain why (s)he chose the animal (s)he did. Or, put pictures of a variety of animals on a large table and have participants choose one they feel represents themselves. Divide into groups and have each participant explain why (s)he chose a particular animal.

Human Knot
Participants stand in a circle and introduce themselves one by one to two other people in the circle. As they introduce themselves, they grasp the hand of the other person and hold on. When everyone has introduced him/herself, each person should be holding hands with two other people. You have now created a human knot. Their task is to untangle the knot without letting anyone in the circle go!

Sound Off
Write out cards with the name of one animal on each. Make two cards for each animal. Hand out a card to each participant, making sure that pairs of animals are distributed. Arrange the participants in a circle. Explain that they are to make the sound of the animal on their card to find the other animal of their species. No talking is allowed. Once they find their partner, they are to stand by them. Participants can also be blind-folded and/or groups of more than two animals can be produced by making more cards for each animal.

Significant Stories
Ask each participant to relate a story about a significant experience involving nature, animals, trees, etc.

Human Scavenger Hunt
Have participants go on a “tree” or “wild” human scavenger hunt using one of the lists included here. The object is to find other students who fit the criteria and have them sign their names on the appropriate line. This is a good way for participants to find out interesting, and often little-known information about others in the group, relating to wildlife and forestry.

“Tree” People
Directions: Try to have at least one person sign their name after each statement. Each person cansign your sheet only once.

1.Has a treehouse___________________________________________________________

2.Has hugged a tree_________________________________________________________

3.Uses live Christmas trees____________________________________________________

4.Likes to sit by a fire________________________________________________________

5.Can name Iowa’s state tree__________________________________________________

6.Lives in a wood house______________________________________________________

7.Recycles paper, plastic and glass_______________________________________________

8.Ate a tree product today_____________________________________________________

9.Has a windbreak on his/her property___________________________________________

10.Can name three (3) kinds of trees that grow in Iowa________________________________

11.Can name three (3) products from Iowa forests__________________________________

12.Has been to a savannah_____________________________________________________

13.Planted a tree in the last year_________________________________________________

14.Has counted the rings on a tree_______________________________________________

“Wild” People
Directions: Try to have at least one person sign their name after each statement. Each person can sign your sheet only once.

1.Has a valid hunting or fishing license__________________________________________

2.Can identify two (2) species endangered in Iowa___________________________________

3.Recycles_________________________________________________________________

4.Has contacted a government official about a wildlife issue_________________________

5.Has held a snake__________________________________________________________

6.Has a bird banding license___________________________________________________

7.Enjoys wildlife photography_________________________________________________

8.Can name a wildlife book they have read_______________________________________

9.Has watched a squirrel conquer a “squirrel proof” bird feeder_______________________

10.Has seen a bald eagle nest___________________________________________________

11.Can identify at least two (2) animals by their tracks_______________________________

12.Has seen a live moose in the wild_____________________________________________

13.Landscapes their yard for wildlife_____________________________________________

14.Has watched a predator catch its prey__________________________________________

WILD or PLT Activities
Activities from the guides also can be modified to serve as ice breakers. The advantage to using an activity from one of the guides is that it gives participants more contact time with the materials. Some possible activities include: WILD - “Animal Charades”   WILD Aquatic - “Are You Me?;” “Fashion a Fish”   PLT -“Peppermint Beetles;” “We All Need Trees”

Thursday, August 01, 2013


Summer Vacation’s Last Stand

Another summer vacation is coming to a close; soon Iowa’s school children will be trading in swimsuits and flip-flops for backpacks and new sneakers. Make the most of the last few weeks of summer vacation by getting outside with your family!

Things to do outside:
  • Hiking
  • Fishing
  • Take a picnic to a local park
  • Stargazing in your backyard
  • Camping
  • Explore your local creek
  • Bird watching on a bike trail

Take a Closer Look at Hiking with Children:
Make it fun!
  • Bring a magnifying glass to examine interesting “finds” closely.
  • Bring a notebook and pencil to record what you find and your experiences.
  • Make nature bracelets - wrap clear packing tape (sticky side out) around everyone’s wrists.  Stick cool things you find to them as you walk (leaves, flower petals, etc).
  • Create a scavenger hunt so your hike has a mission.
  • Take turns being the “leader”.
  • Bring along nature guides to look up things you find (birds, leaves, etc) and/or download a nature app on your phone.
  • Take a “water hike” down a shallow stream, or take a “night hike” after dark – kids will love the unusual aspect of it!
  • Bring a camera and record your trip!

Preparation
  • Wear sturdy shoes and comfortable cotton socks.
  • Wear layers.
  • Bring a backpack with:
           o  First aid kit
           o  Water
           o  Snacks
           o  Bug spray & sun block
           o  Compass and flashlight

Considerations
  • Consider elevation – a level elevation will be easier for younger children to hike.
  • Distance – a child should be able to hike ½ mile per year of age. For example, a 12 year old should be able to hike 6 miles. However, keep in mind everyone’s fitness and normal activity level when planning a hike.
  • Loop trails are more interesting than walking a trail and turning around and walking back.
  • Have a destination in mind (a pond or other point of interest along the way).
  • Keep it simple – check your local park or city for bike trails and walking trails.

Hit the Trail: Ideas for Family Hiking
http://www.parents.com/fun/activities/outdoor/hit-the-trail/#page=1

Book list
PreK-2
Arnosky, J. 1998. Animal Tracker. Random House Value Publishing, Inc.
Arnosky, J. 1997. Bird Watcher. Random House Children's Books.
Arnosky, J. 1997. Bug Hunter. Random House Children's Books.
Arnosky, J. 1993. Crinkleroot's Guide to Walking in Wild Places. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Boring, M. 1999. Fun with Nature. T&N Children's Publishing.
Boring, M. and L. Evert. 2001. More Fun with Nature. Northword Press.
Cole, H. 1998. I Took A Walk. HarperCollins Publishers.
Fredericks, A.D. 2001. Under One Rock: Bugs, Slugs and Other Ughs. Dawn Publications.
Griffin, S. A. and E. M. Griffin. Hiking for Kids: A Family Hiking Guide. T&N Children's Publishing.
Hines, A. G. 1994. What Joe Saw. HarperCollins Publishers.
Quattlebaum, M. and L. J. Bryant. 2013. Jo MacDonald Hiked in the Woods. Dawn Publications.
Radlauer, R. S. and E. A. McCully. 2007. Molly Goes Hiking. Aladdin.
Rotner, S. and K. Kreisler. 1992. Nature Spy. Atheneum.
Woolf, C. M. 2008. My First Hike. Dawn Publications.

Grades 3-5
Art, H.W. and M.W. Robbins. 2003. Woods Walk: Peepers, Porcupines and Exploding Puffballs! What You'll See, Hear and Smell When Exploring the Woods. Storey Books.
Boring, M. 1999. Fun with Nature. T&N Children's Publishing.
Boring, M. and L. Evert. 2001. More Fun with Nature. Northword Press.
Dorling Kindersley Publishing Staff. 2011. Let’s Go Hiking: Boys’ Life Series. DK Publishing, Inc.
Griffin, S. A. and E. M. Griffin. Hiking for Kids: A Family Hiking Guide. T&N Children's Publishing.
Kirkland, J. 2002. Take a Tree Walk. Stillwater Publishing.
Klein, A. G. 2008. Outdoor Adventure: Hiking. ABDO Publishing Company.
Kranz, L. 2002. My Nature Book: A Journal and Activity Book for Kids. T&N Children's Publishing.
Pastel, J. and K. Fitzsimmons. 2007. Anna Goes Hiking: Discover Hiking and Explore Nature. Farmer Hat Productions.
Ross, M.E. 1993. World of Small: Nature Explorations with a Hand Lens. Yosemite Association.
Tieck, S. 2013. Hiking. ABDO Publishing Company.
Walker, R. 2006. Nature Ranger. DK Publishing, Inc.

Grades 6-8
Bodden, V. 2009. Hiking. The Creative Company.
Foster, L. and M. Weston. 1990. Take a Hike! The Sierra Club Beginner's Guide to Hiking and Backpacking. Little, Brown & Company.
Green, S. 2012. Hiking. Bellwether Media.
Griffin, S. A. and E. M. Griffin. Hiking for Kids: A Family Hiking Guide. T&N Children's Publishing.
Slade, S. 2007. Let’s Go Hiking. The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.

Grades 9-12
Griffin, S. A. and E. M. Griffin. Hiking for Kids: A Family Hiking Guide. T&N Children's Publishing.
Leslie, C. 2003. Keeping a Nature Journal. Storey Publishing.
Thoreau, H. 2004. Walden. Houghton Mifflin Books.