STEM

Observation Activities: Going outside is a great way to practice observation skills. Consider these lessons:

Observing the Natural World, NYC Outward Bound. Have your students practice their observations skills for a few minutes each day over the course of a month to document changes in the natural world. Grades: adaptable. 

"I notice, I wonder, it reminds me of," Beetles. This detailed teaching routine describes how to conduct field observations that spark inquiry. This guide features opportunities to connect to NGSS cross cutting concepts. Suggested grades: 3-8

"Interview an Organism,"  Beetles. This fun activity prompts students to slow down when observing nature, and learn about  living things by "interviewing" an organism. Suggested grades: 3-8. 

Into Nature Guide, Back to Nature Network. This guide contains a number of short, simple activities to bring students in grades K-8 outdoors. Many of these activities are play or observation based and can be linked to curriculum, or used as an outdoor break. Grades: K-8. 

Garden Science:  School gardens offer ample opportunities to connect to a variety of academic topics. 

Garden Based Learning Curriculum, Berkley Unified School District. These fun activities for preK and K students introduce soil, seasons, animals and healthy eating. Suggested grades: Pre-K to K. 

Garden Based Learning Curriculum, Berkley Unified School District. This lesson series addresses science topics such as parts of a plant, soil, weather, flowers and seeds. Suggested grades: 1-3.

Garden Based Learning Curriculum, Berkley Unified School District. This lesson series for 4th and 5th grade students addresses a range of science topics including: photosynthesis, erosion, insects, weather and the water cycle and food chains. Suggested grades: 4-5. 

Monarch Watch, Butterfly data collection and research and student activities. 

Outdoor Science Activities: These science related activities don't require a school garden-- just an outdoor gathering place for students. 

Simple Outdoor Lessons for Students & Parents, OutTeach. These simple lessons are activities that could be done in class, or by students at home during the virtual learning period. They connect to science and ELA topics. Suggested grades: K-5. 

Education Outside Curriculum, Education Outside. These NGSS aligned lessons cover grades K-5, and include topics such as the five senses, plant and animal adaptations, energy flows and habitats. Suggested grades: K-5

Seed Ya Later, LifeLab. A fun seed dispersal lesson for 2nd grade students. This is one lesson of an 8 lesson series on seeds and pollination. The full series curriculum is available for purchase at lifelab.org. Suggested grade: 2. 

Everyday Darwin: Create a Nature Journal.  Suggested grade: 5

Signs of Fall.  Suggested grade: PreK

Shape Hunt and Sort.  Suggested grades: PreK-2

Math

Sidewalk chalk subtraction.  Suggested grade: 2