Earth & Space Systems
Grade 8: Earth & Space Systems
Water Systems
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 Journaling: I Notice..., I Wonder...?, It Reminds me of...
Nature Journaling is an incredible tool for students to investigate the importance of water and water systems in 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 statement "I wonder..." becomes very important at this age all the way up to 18 years as students deepen their understanding of the world around them. Encourage students to begin writing using single words, simple sentences, lists, point form, paragraphs and even poetry. 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.
Where Is Here?
Water Systems
Before beginning this activity complete the activities in Geometry & Spatial Sense, Writing and Oral Communication.
You have succeeded in reaching one alien but why not more? It is a well known fact that aliens are concerned about the environment. Get outside and/or research your local environment to find the following information:
The landscape: What can you actually see? What natural vegetation exists (flora)? What kinds of colours and patterns are visible? What local natural zones exist nearby? Is the land around the place flat or mountainous? What is the nearest water source?
The climate/weather: What is the weather like at that moment? What are typical patterns of weather?
The (wild) life (fauna): Who lives in the neighbourhood?
Considering all of the above information, what importance do water systems have in your area, or could have in your area, that you could share with the alien race to help attract them to your location.
Want to increase the chances of reaching more aliens? Check out the activity in Media Literacy.
Curriculum Links:
see Writing
see Media Literacy
NOTE: This can be used with the Nature Journaling activity at the top of the page.