McNear School Environmental Literacy
2022-2023
Embedded Files
Place-based learning where students explore, connect with, and care for nature on the schoolyard.
Generously sponsored by the McNear PTA!
Students Speak About the Importance of Environmental Literacy
A- Climate Change.MOVE, G, I- Climate Change.MOVR-Climate Change.MOVV -Climate Change.MOVTK-6 Guiding Inquiry Questions
TK
How can we use our 5 senses to learn about the environment?
K
How can we care for the environment?
1st
How do the external structures of local living organisms help them survive?
2nd
How can we support pollinators in the schoolyard?
3rd
How can we support healthy schoolyard habitats?
4th
How do the external and internal structures of local plants and animals help them survive?
How do these animals process information from the environment to help them survive?
How can our school adopt more energy efficient ways?
5th
How can we support healthy ecosystems on our campus?
How can our school support clean water flow during rain events?
6th
How can we reduce the carbon footprint of our school?
It begins by developing a culture of curiosity with activities that develop observation and awareness of nature around the schoolyard.
It begins by developing a culture of curiosity with activities that develop observation and awareness of nature around the schoolyard.
The "I Notice, I Wonder, It Reminds me of" lesson from BEETLES can be adapted across all grade levels.
Nature scavenger hunts are also great vehicles for schoolyard exploration.
See John Muir Laws' book, How to Teach Nature Journaling for journal topics and activities.
Students record their observations through scientific sketches in their nature journals.
Students record their observations through scientific sketches in their nature journals.
Leaf Observations and Scientific Sketches Across the Grade Levels - TK-6
TK
K
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
Scientific Sketches of Our Beloved Valley Oak Tree
Tk
K
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
Thompson Creek Explorations
McNear School is fortunate to have a portion of Thompson Creek as part of our campus. Students enjoy nature journaling and creek restoration work as some of their activities there. A special shout out to STRAW (Students and Teachers Restoring a Watershed) that secured funding and provided supervised restoration activities for the students!
Environmental Education Partnerships
Environmental Education Partnerships
McNear School works closely with the Watershed Classroom, Point Blue/STRAW (students and teachers restoring a watershed), Daily Acts and others to support students in their environmental literacy studies and activities.
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