Virtual Senses

Online Lesson Background and Resources

Field Lesson Senses, Observation, and Nature Journaling Lesson Plan and Field Card

Please review the full lesson for background

01 Senses-Observation Lesson Plan.pdf

Full Lesson Plan

01 Senses 4x6 Field Card.pdf

Field Card

Online Lesson Outline

(click to view)

The online lesson will be much shorter than the 1.5-hour field lesson, as we'll be giving the outdoor portion as "homework" and Zoom attention spans are much shorter than outdoors. But we'll try to keep the same basic structure:

Introductions and setting norms/expectations for both virtual and field lessons - get kids excited, build a connection, setting up for success
Story - either share your own, read one of the options on the site, or use this video: https://youtu.be/RWWKpkaHfBo
Discussion (intro to INIWIRMO - tie in with story) - who are good observers? (see the example video and lesson plan from BEETLES for the field lesson) - use hand signals for discussion norms - here are a few: https://youtu.be/-9T99GAWuKE
I Notice, I Wonder, It Reminds Me Of (INIWIRMO) introduction and practice - MAIN ACTIVITY
1. Best Option - lead discussion with whole class using hand signals for ALL students to be able to respond, then call on different students each time to share - start with what they've observed in nature recently and go through each sense (make hand binoculars if you've observed something using your sense of sight, point to your nose if... etc), then do a shared INIWIRMO with one object projected (highlight video) - teacher can do this with their HoverCam. Next have them make observations of their own object (arrange with teacher for them to get it before class starts) - they can start writing them down, then share.
2. Alternate (Tech) Option 1: Google Slides or Jamboard with a "Sketch and Tell" format, where they can draw and write their observations online as a class (see Online Tools for Student Engagement below).
3. Alternate (Tech) Option 2: Watch this video: https://youtu.be/WdC7aZJqaR0, or this one: https://youtu.be/dmzFuvpxXhM, and either make sure they show up to class with a leaf or other natural obect they've brought to observe, or use an online image, OR watch a shared video such as this Dark-eyed Junco on a feeder: https://youtu.be/iVRB5yz9ZaU and share observations live during the video either out loud or in the chat.
Outdoor Homework - Explain homework to them and make sure teacher assigns it in Google Classroom so they can find it. Home work is 2 things: find a sit spot and do INIWIRMO with one or more natural things and record in your nature journal - homework page: https://sites.google.com/inyocoe.org/outdoorhomework/homework/observation?authuser=0
1. Explain sit spots - build them up as the awesome practice they are so the kids are really excited to try them (can use this video https://youtu.be/CIwtPsEXqXc and/or this article https://wearewildness.com/5-qualities-perfect-sit-spot/ to help if desired)
2. Explain Nature Journaling - You can also do this as a whole class activity with their object. For homework, you can use this intro video, https://youtu.be/SPIDQor6CcM or use this shorter version of the full BEETLES lesson just for the nature journaling part if desired: https://howtoteachnaturejournaling.com/activities/i-notice-i-wonder-it-reminds-me-of/ (summarize for students)
  1. Students should have their physical Taking Root nature journals, but if not, they can use anything they can write with and on, though - whatever works. They'll be sharing their work next lesson, so they should keep them to show online, and/or take a picture of them to share.
Optional (Homework) for fun, do an un-nature trail at home, and/or write INIWIRMO poetry
1. Un-nature trail: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=207644953995250&extid=gUC0HbSMNcPIFupS
2. Or this one: https://youtu.be/KTAPlDCwri4
3. Poetry: https://youtu.be/hCwpFumI98g
4. Read or listen to a story - if you don't read The Other Way to Listen to them, they can watch the read-aloud video or read the story from the pdf - they'll be posted on the homework page.

Introductions, Set Positive Expectations

Start with introducing yourselves and the Taking Root program, and how we didn't want them to miss it during distance learning, so we are starting online, but hope to be outdoors with them soon!

Set expectations that students will learn a lot, have fun, and become better at acting like scientists with observation skills and more.

"Bringing students to their senses": Have the students focus on their senses one at a time and share something they currently observe with that sense, OR share something they observed with their senses earlier. You can use hand signals, have them make "deer ears" to listen, etc. (can do this at the beginning, or before doing INIWIRMO) - helps focus them, center them. "We're going to be using our senses to make observations today - how have you used your senses to make observations already today?" or something like that!

Here's a great article on "Transformational Zooming": https://greenteacher.com/transformational-zooming/

2. Tell a Story

Story Ideas for Sharing with Students

Choose a story or book to read aloud to them, or tell a personal story that highlights paying attention noticing things, following mysteries, and learning. I recommend reading aloud "The Other Way to Listen" by Byrd Baylor as a wonderful introduction. Alternately, you can have students watch The Other Way to Listen read-aloud video to get them thinking about using their senses. The nice thing about the video is they can watch it again later (but you can also share it with them for "homework").

Another option is to see if the teacher wants to read one of these to the students before your lesson, and you can just refer to parts of the story they use, and maybe add a brief personal story about using your senses.

The Other Way to Listen

by Byrd Baylor

The Other Way to Listen-Byrd Baylor.pdf

Read-aloud Video: The Other Way to Listen

Be sure to go full-screen and click "share computer sound" if you present this video to them on Zoom or Meet. If you just want to give the teacher the link to share with them, it is youtu.be/RWWKpkaHfBo

Jungle Lore Story

by Jim Corbett

(Do not read this full story - it is long with advanced vocabulary, but if you wanted to summarize or read short sections, that works better.

Jungle Lore Story-Jim Corbett.pdf

The Cricket and the Coin

Origin Unknown

The Cricket and the Coin.pdf

3. Introduce Main Activity - I Notice, I Wonder, It Reminds Me Of

Begin with discussion of who makes a good observer - can have teacher share interactive slide or jamboard, have students use chat, or discuss as class using hand signals. (Discussion tips and ideas) See BEETLES lesson and video for how this discussion is effectively conducted in the field. Go to http://beetlesproject.org/resources/for-field-instructors/notice-wonder-reminds/ for more from BEETLES!

Lesson Objectives:

Students will:

Increase curiosity for and directly engage with aspects of the natural world.
Make observations, ask questions, and relate findings to past experiences.
Learn that descriptive observations are distinct from statements of opinion or identification.

Discussion of who makes a good observer

“I see no more than you, but I have trained myself to notice what I see.” ~ Sherlock Holmes (as written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Discussion Tip: Use hand signals for greater simultaneous participation and engagement.

You don't have to use the specific hand signals from the video below, you can even make up fun ones on the fly. The thing is, with one-at-a-time sharing, most of the students aren't sharing, and they lose engagement (drift off, get bored). Make sure you are using hand signals, then call on different students each time to spread out the sharing much more equitably. There will always be those kids who always have something to say - look for the quiet ones and when they show a hand signal (less scary than raising your hand) call on them to share.

Optional:

You can project (or screenshare an image of) a large leaf or other interesting object to do INIWIRMO as a group first.

Hand signals for discussion / EPR

Find ways for every pupil to respond (EPR, sometimes called TPR, Total Pupil Response). You can get creative with hand signals, but having some standard ones will help set precedent for future discussions - ask their teacher what hand signals they use in class, if any. Review these before the discussion (you can share the video or just show them and have them do as you do, or even play a quick "Simon Says" type game with them using hand signals to reinforce them.

During the discussion, ask students to show you the hand signal if you had the same idea, if you agree/like (thumbs up), disagree, want to build on, or have a question.

I-Notice-I-Wonder-It-Reminds-Me-Of.pdf

Note: This video was edited to focus on how the instructor leads the activity; the actual activity is much more student-focused, and students spend most of the activity exploring and discussing ideas with their peers.

Online Tools for Student Engagement - we did not end up using these

Jamboard

Make a copy of and share the link to this Jamboard for students to "claim a frame" (1/2 frame actually) and use the post-its to record their notices, wonders, and what it reminds them of. Change sharing options when done to prevent further editing and you can then click the 3 dots and download as a PDF to share with their teacher.

They can also draw a picture of what they are observing up by their name.

https://jamboard.google.com/d/1Wyj9QDVhQOrbzDQFtkrLq427y42Tvjq71sSxLxOI9Is/copy

Google Slides using PearDeck Add-On:

You need the PearDeck add-on to use this, and don't click "present," click "start lesson" in the PearDeck sidebar. This would be best shared with students by the classroom teacher, IF they are already using PearDeck and would like to use it.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1wtgIzfOzeJdJ-xQpckQr2qstGzPZKBy-E09zQ9B82WU/copy

4. Main Activity: I Notice, I Wonder, It Reminds Me Of

You can use one of these videos to introduce how to do the activity if you want, then as a group, observe the Junco at the feeder, or other image or video of some natural object or living thing. If time allows, you could also have them quickly go find a leaf or other natural object outside and return - have them count to 30 while they find it, or some other way to get them back quickly!

What worked: having the teacher tell students to go outside to get a small natural object, such as a leaf, stick, or rock, before the lesson. The teacher could project a sample object such as a leaf and share with the students and we could demonstrate INIWIRMO as a group, then have kids write down their observations on their own objects and share.

I Notice, I Wonder, It Reminds Me Of activity

INIWIRMO Alternative video

Observe together

Spin the Wheel to choose what to observe next! (OPTIONAL)

Students can then make some of their own observations about something in their home environment, that they can see out the window or find in their house.

5. Outdoor Homework

Give this website or Google Doc with the homework to Classroom Teachers to share with their students:

https://sites.google.com/inyocoe.org/outdoorhomework/homework/observation?authuser=0

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DlJrkyB96HyZJQAxm2ka2v6zN18WXotagTiFTWEzb-s/edit?usp=sharing

(Sections below are on the Outdoor Homework website now)

The Magic of Sit Spots

Sit Spot Routine

This core routine will help you be a better observer. Sometimes called "Magic Spots" because animals will think you left and you'll see much more than you would if you were not sitting so quietly. We'll do this every month and you'll notice changes.

The 5 Qualities of a Perfect Sit SpotSo, you want to spend more time in nature, and you like the idea of a Sit Spot where you can simply be still and open your senses. But where? How do you find the perfect place to be? The perfect Sit Spot has five qualities.

Nature Journaling

Intro to Nature Journaling
(2:42 minute video)

I-Notice-I-Wonder-It-Reminds-Me-Of-H2TNJ-1.pdf

INIWIRMO Nature Journing Lesson

Taking Root Student Journal-2019-08-09-single pages.pdf

Student Journals

6. Extension Actvities - OPTIONAL - Just for Fun

Poetry, make your own UnNature Trail...

Un-Nature Trail Directions:

Try an online Un-Nature trail (see below), then make your own to test the observation skills of your family!
Your own Un-Nature Trail could be a short trail, a short walk down your street, or a "trail" in your back yard
Count how many items you are "hiding" in case you can't find them all! Make sure you collect them all at the end.
Remember to "hide" the items in plain sight - high, low, sitting in a bush or tree, on the ground - don't cover them up.
Walk slowing and quietly along the trail and count silently to yourself (you can count on your fingers if you make sure no one else can see!)
See how many each person found.
Collect the items and take turns hiding them again if you want!

Try this online Un-nature trail (click here to watch it full screen)

Another Un-Nature Trail Video

Using INIWIRMO to write poetry (optional)

journal examples.pdf

Field Journal Samples

Outdoor Education Methods and Philosophy

You as an Outdoor/Environmental Educator

From Hands-On Nature, by Lingelbach and Purcell

Introduction to Environmental Ed info.pdf

Engaging and Managing Students in Outdoor Science

From BEETLES - long but SO much valuable information and insight - very worthwile.

Engaging-and-Managing-Students-in-Outdoor-Science.pdf

See more on the Resources page, including information about the Learning Cycle, Questioning Techniques, and Discussions!

Notes

(click to open)

NOTES:

Read-aloud video
INIWIRMO video(s)?
Introduce INIWIRMO in class with observations of video or still photos
Have them all share their observations in chat or out loud all at once
[Put in breakout rooms and take turns sharing as many observations as they can?]
After doing one together, have them use the https://wheeldecide.com/ you make to choose the next thing to observe?
THINK LEARNING CYCLE / 5E!!
1. Engage - what are the goals for this lesson
2. What do they already know? KWL
3. What makes a good observer discussion - who do you think is a good observer?
4. Sherlock Holmes quote
Have docents watch the Katie Novak UDL for Science webinar!!
Discussion question - prove your answer...
What do we want students to know at the end, and what is acceptible evidence of that
How to engage ALL students?
CHOICE -
1. watch Sit Spot video or read 5 qualities of Perfect Sit Spot
2. Watch INIWIRMO WW video or the one with the TP tube binos :-D
3. Choose your own item to do INIWIRMO with (a leaf is good - maybe choose leaf) or watch Junco video together
EXPLORATION / INQUIRY
STANDARDS - NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards)
1. SEP (Science and Engineering Practices)
  1. SEP - Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
    1. Making and recording observations in their journals and then sharing in discussions
  2. SEP - Analyzing and Interpreting Data
    1. Analyzing data in 3–5 builds on K–2 experiences and progresses to introducing quantitative approaches to collecting data and conducting multiple trials of qualitative observations. When possible and feasible, digital tools should be used.
    2. Represent data in tables and various graphical displays (bar graphs, pictographs) to reveal patterns that indicate relationships. (3-ESS2-1)
2. DCI (Disciplinary Core Ideas) For whole series of lessons - ESS2.D: Weather and Climate - Scientists record patterns of the weather across different times and areas so that they can make predictions about what kind of weather might happen next. (3-ESS2-1)
3. CCC (Cross-Cutting Concepts) - Patterns, Cause and Effect, Systems and System Models, Structure and Function, Stability and Change, Energy and Matter - almost all of these can apply to any Taking Root lesson.

Outdoor Homework

Share link with classroom teacher so she can assign it in Google Classroom!