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Grade 5: Geometry & Spatial Sense
Grade 5: Geometry & Spatial Sense
Distinguishing among polygons and among prisms; identifying acute, right, obtuse, and straight angles; measuring angles to 90° with a protractor; constructing triangles; constructing nets of prisms and pyramids; locating objects using the cardinal directions; performing and describing translations .
Distinguishing among polygons and among prisms; identifying acute, right, obtuse, and straight angles; measuring angles to 90° with a protractor; constructing triangles; constructing nets of prisms and pyramids; locating objects using the cardinal directions; performing and describing translations .
Nature Journaler: @billiejooutdoors
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 look for geometrical shapes as well as symmetry in natural phenomena. Protractors can be used outside to look at the angle of the landscape or how a tree is growing. Look for triangular shapes used in the construction of buildings and also where they are used in nature. 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 look for geometrical shapes as well as symmetry in natural phenomena. Protractors can be used outside to look at the angle of the landscape or how a tree is growing. Look for triangular shapes used in the construction of buildings and also where they are used in nature. 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 making the connections. Encourage students to begin writing using single words, simple sentences, lists, point form, paragraphs and even poetry. Please note that spelling is not the focus in a nature journal. At this age you may start to see art fears - ensure you are re-iterating it is not about a pretty picture. It is about their observations. Please see the link below for tips on giving feedback. Using a combination of 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 making the connections. Encourage students to begin writing using single words, simple sentences, lists, point form, paragraphs and even poetry. Please note that spelling is not the focus in a nature journal. At this age you may start to see art fears - ensure you are re-iterating it is not about a pretty picture. It is about their observations. Please see the link below for tips on giving feedback. Using a combination of 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 encouraged 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.
Angle Search
Angle Search
Go outside for a walk, visit a green space or look out a window. How many angles (acute, obtuse, straight or right angles) can you find outside?
Go outside for a walk, visit a green space or look out a window. How many angles (acute, obtuse, straight or right angles) can you find outside?
Do a tally of each of the angles you find
Also document if they are formed naturally or unnaturally (person made)
Curriculum Links:
see Data Management
see Writing
NOTE: This can be used with the Nature Journaling activity at the top of the page.
Nature Journaler: @billiejooutdoors
Nature Journaling: Collection or Field Guide
Nature Journaling: Collection or Field Guide
In the activity Collection or Field Guide from John (Jack) Muir Laws and Emilie Lygren's book: How to Teach Nature Journaling. "Students make a field guide or “collection” of things within a focused category, such as leaf types, rocks in a stream, things that are red, or tracks."
In the activity Collection or Field Guide from John (Jack) Muir Laws and Emilie Lygren's book: How to Teach Nature Journaling. "Students make a field guide or “collection” of things within a focused category, such as leaf types, rocks in a stream, things that are red, or tracks."
All resources shared with permission.
Sketch by Grace Moye
Nature Journaling: Landscape Cross Section
Nature Journaling: Landscape Cross Section
In the activity Landscape Cross Section from John (Jack) Muir Laws and Emilie Lygren's book How to Teach Nature Journaling. "Students map shifts in the location of plants or animals across an area, such as the slope of a hill or a transition from shore to pond."
In the activity Landscape Cross Section from John (Jack) Muir Laws and Emilie Lygren's book How to Teach Nature Journaling. "Students map shifts in the location of plants or animals across an area, such as the slope of a hill or a transition from shore to pond."
All resources shared with permission.
Where Is Here?
Where Is Here?
Begin by simply asking yourself the following question:
Begin by simply asking yourself the following question:
Where am I?
Where am I?
You will likely respond with "at home!" or if you're lucky “outside!”. Can you be more specific—and more thorough in your answer? Find the following information:
You will likely respond with "at home!" or if you're lucky “outside!”. Can you be more specific—and more thorough in your answer? Find the following information:
Street address
Neighbourhood
City, province, country
Planet & galaxy
Now find your location on a map and compare your location using cardinal directions to a landmark in your neighbourhood of your choosing (Example: my home is north and a little bit east of my school. To get to school I could walk south for about three blocks and west for about one block).
Now find your location on a map and compare your location using cardinal directions to a landmark in your neighbourhood of your choosing (Example: my home is north and a little bit east of my school. To get to school I could walk south for about three blocks and west for about one block).
(DO NOT SHARE YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION WITH OTHERS)
Now that you know where you are continue your journey by completing the next activity in Writing.
Curriculum Links:
see Writing
see Media Literacy
NOTE: This can be used with the Nature Journaling activity at the top of the page.
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