Embedded Files
Grade 2: Earth & Space Systems
Grade 2: Earth & Space Systems
Air & Water in the Environment
Air & Water in the Environment
For PDSB Educators: if you are looking to reach out to the Peel Field Centres for further ways to connect your learning to the environment visit the PDSB Field Centre Share Point site.
For PDSB Educators: if you are looking to reach out to the Peel Field Centres for further ways to connect your learning to the environment visit the PDSB Field Centre Share Point site.
Nature Journaler: Aspen Orr
Nature Journaling: I Notice..., I Wonder...?, It Reminds me of...
Nature Journaling: I Notice..., I Wonder...?, It Reminds me of...
Nature Journaling is an incredible tool for students to study the water cycle and the importance of water for the community and the environment. Their nature journal allows them to write/draw their observations helping to cement the concepts being taught.
Nature Journaling is an incredible tool for students to study the water cycle and the importance of water for the community and the environment. Their nature journal allows them to write/draw their observations helping to cement the concepts being taught.
At this age all three prompts "I notice..., I wonder...?, and "It reminds me of..." become very intuitive. However the last statement becomes very important for connection making. Encourage them to begin writing themselves using single words or simple sentences. Please note that spelling is not a focus in the nature journal. At this age you may start to see art fears - please ensure you are re-iterating it is not about a pretty picture. It is about their observations. Please see the link feedback at the bottom of this lesson for tips on this. Using words, pictures and numbers allows the students multiple tools to document their observations. With permission Bethan Burton has allowed us to link to her website as she has written a blog post for Teaching nature journaling at all ages.
At this age all three prompts "I notice..., I wonder...?, and "It reminds me of..." become very intuitive. However the last statement becomes very important for connection making. Encourage them to begin writing themselves using single words or simple sentences. Please note that spelling is not a focus in the nature journal. At this age you may start to see art fears - please ensure you are re-iterating it is not about a pretty picture. It is about their observations. Please see the link feedback at the bottom of this lesson for tips on this. Using words, pictures and numbers allows the students multiple tools to document their observations. With permission Bethan Burton has allowed us to link to her website as she has written a blog post for Teaching nature journaling at all ages.
Here are some more ideas to get you started.
Engage the fives senses (whenever possible)
Make leaf prints ( paint the leaf and press the print into the journal)
Make leaf rubbings
Trace the items they are looking at
Add leaves into the journal using tape
Count the birds/squirrels/insects etc.
Measure as much of the phenomena as the students can using non standard and standard units of measurement.
Here is a downloadable lesson from John (Jack) Muir Laws and Emilie Lygren book: How to Teach Nature Journaling. All resources shared with permission. "I Notice..., I Wonder...?, It Reminds me of..."
GIVING FEEDBACK here is a fantastic resource from Jack and Emilie
NOTE: You are encourage to spend time in the outdoors Nature Journaling. However, you can also bring nature inside, look out your wonder window, have a refrigerator Safari or even observe a house plant or pet.
Photo by: S. Moye
Puddle Exploration
Puddle Exploration
On a rainy day find, observe and measure puddles. Take a picture, do a sketch, draw a chalk line around the puddle, measure it with a string or measuring tape.
On a rainy day find, observe and measure puddles. Take a picture, do a sketch, draw a chalk line around the puddle, measure it with a string or measuring tape.
Every thirty minutes or so check on the puddle to see how it has grown or shrunk
Create a chart to show your results
What were some factors that affected the growth or shrinking of the puddle?
Extension: choose more than one puddle on a different surface (pavement, grass, gravel, table top) and observe how the puddle formation is different. What is affecting how the puddle changes?
NOTE: This can be used with the Nature Journaling activity at the top of the page.
Photo via Clipart
Water Footprint
Water Footprint
How does your family use water and in what ways can you use less water?
How does your family use water and in what ways can you use less water?
Create a list of ways people use water in their everyday life - from when we wake up until we go to bed, inside and outside, winter and summer
Time how long it takes your family members to brush their teeth or wash their hands. How long does it take for the toilet to finish flushing? When washing dishes does the water stay on or is it collected to be used as much as possible? What time of day would be best to water your garden?
What are some little things you can do to use less water? If you had to carry your water to your house everyday to use it, how would you re-think using water?
Create some signs to help your family members to use less water
If you would like to do some more interesting activities to investigate water consumption go to http://www.waterfootprint.org
NOTE: This can be used with the Nature Journaling activity at the top of the page.
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