1st Grade
Structure & Function of Plants & Animals
Overview: Students will investigate how plants and animals use different body parts to survive, grow, and meet their needs while hiking through various ecosystems, observing live animals, and playing games. Students will discover that individuals of the same kind of plant or animal are similar, but not exactly the same. Students will create shelters for their "Mini-Me's" to better understand how human problems can be solved by mimicking how plants and/or animals use their external parts to help them meet their needs.
Sorting and classifying plants by structure and function.
Playing a game about the relationship between body part structure and function in other animals.
Building shelters for Mini-Me's using plant materials.
Location: This field study is conducted at the Elms Environmental Education Center.
Typical Day (schedule is subject to change and may vary based on weather, transportation and needs of the individual class):
Bus pickup at school - 9:15am (8:45am for early schools)
Arrival at field study site. Welcome & Introduction
Morning Activities
Lunch
Afternoon Activities
Review and Wrap-up
Bus departure from site - 2:15 pm (1:45 pm for early schools)
Chaperones: Chaperones are vital to the success of our field studies, serving as active program assistants and small group leaders. Approved volunteers are selected by the classroom teacher. Remember to pack your lunch and dress for a day outdoors. *Please set your phones to vibrate/silent during the field study.*
Tips for Chaperones (PDF)
Prepare for Your Trip
What to Wear:
Dress for participation in outdoor activities and remember to choose clothes and shoes that can get wet and dirty.
Check the the weather for your field study site - Dameron, MD. Temperatures near the water can be 10 degrees COLDER (and more windy) than at home or school.
Layers are great for cold weather. Dress for the high temperature, and layer for the low.
Bring your rain gear when rain is expected.
Don't forget to pre-apply sun block and insect repellent before you leave home (if desired).
Food and Drink:
Pack your lunch in reusable containers, if possible.
Bring water to drink, in a reusable water bottle (labeled with your name), if possible.
