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2nd Grade Unit on Seed Dispersal, Plant Life Cycles and Pollination

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This unit focuses on the diversity of life at Hartje School Forest and centers around NGSS Standards on Ecosystem Interactions, Energy and Dynamics. Field experiences in observing and recording the diversity of life, seed dispersal methods, plant pollination, and plant life cycles will support science disciplinary core ideas, cross-cutting concepts, and hands-on engineering practices.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Diagram/Illustration, Formative Assessment, Interactive, Interim/Summative Assessment, Learning Task, Lesson, Lesson Plan, Module, Unit of Study

Authors: Amy Workman, Stacy Stecker

Becoming Better Observers: How does observing, asking questions, and making connections help me understand things in nature?

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This series of 5 high-quality, standards-aligned, inquiry-based activities have been field-tested by first grade students and families of Wequiock Children's Center for Environmental Science during Safer At Home orders. These activities encourage students to use natural areas around their homes and in their neigbhorhoods as they improve their science observation skils. The materials used are ones generally available at home and the activites require little preparation on the part of caregivers.Created as a part of a WISELearn OER Innovation project, Connect, Explore, and Engage: Using the Environment as the Context for Science Learning was a collaboration of the Wequiock Children's Center for Environmental Science and the Wisconsin Green Schools Network. One of the goals of the project was to create standards-aligned lessons that utilize the outdoor spaces of the school (as well as those of the students' homes).  Each section of this resource is an individual activity. While each activity builds on the previous ones, it is possible to use them individually.The observation protocol "I Notice, I Wonder, It Reminds Me Of, I Think Maybe" has been adapted from that of the BEETLES Project.The title image was used with permission and is courtesy of Joe Riederer.

Material Type: Unit of Study

Authors: Sandy Benton, Karla Koch

K-12 Forestry Lesson Guides - LEAF - Wisconsin’s K-12 Forestry Education Program

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he LEAF Wisconsin K-12 Forestry Lesson Guide includes complete interdisciplinary units for teaching students about forests and forestry in Wisconsin. Subject areas addressed in the lessons include Arts, English Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies. The Wisconsin Model Academic Standards and H. Gardner's Multiple Intelligences Theory were referenced during the development of the guide. The LEAF Lesson Guide is based on principles outlined in the LEAF Conceptual Guide To K-12 Forestry Education in Wisconsin. Unit-Based Lessons The unit-based lessons are divided by grade levels: K-1, 2-3, 4, 5-6, 7-8, and 9-12. Lessons build upon one another to provide connectivity in the students' educational experience. When taught as a unit, these lessons provide students a well-rounded understanding of forestry in Wisconsin. You may find that they are also effective when taught individually and integrated with other classroom material. Each lesson includes an introduction, step-by-step procedure for activities, and a conclusion. Formative assessment is woven throughout each lesson. Questions with answers are provided to help teachers follow the level of understanding of students. Summative assessment ideas are listed at the end of each lesson. Suggested activities have students apply what they have learned in a new way.

Material Type: Activity/Lab

Author: University of Wisconsin Stevens Pont

How to Teach Nature Journaling (Print and free PDF download) • John Muir Laws

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"How to Teach Nature Journaling" by John Muir Laws and Emilie Lygren (2020) is a free PDF curriculum guide to support educators as they model and teach science thinking by keeping a nature journal. The benefits of nature journaling are that it helps students to: • slow down and pay attention • wonder and ask questions • supporting creativity and critical thinking skills • by seeing themselves as scientists, engaging in authentic science inquiry • nurturing a connection with nature • building equity” (p. 7 of How to Teach Nature Journaling by Law and Muir, 2020)

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Formative Assessment, Learning Task, Lesson

Authors: Emilie Lygren, John Muir Laws

Beetles Project I Notice, I Wonder, It Reminds Me Of

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The "I Notice, I Wonder, It Reminds Me Of" observation protocol helps students develop a mindset of curiosity, and provides language tools to actively and directly engage with the natural world. These are important skills students can carry away and apply in any natural setting. Using this routine makes any field experience more student- and nature-centered.

Material Type: Teaching/Learning Strategy

Authors: Craig Strang, Emilie Lygren, Jedda Foreman, Kevin Beals