Adventures in ABC and 1,2,3
Summary
In this outdoor/indoor lesson, the students will study Antler, Bear, Canoe by Betsy Bowen and make their own ABC book based on their observation skills used in the school forest.
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Learning Goals
This activity is designed for students to use their various senses to experience and observe the school forest.
The students will also compare and contrast natural vs. manmade objects found outside in the forest.
Concepts: There are natural and manmade objects in an outdoor environment.
The students will also compare and contrast natural vs. manmade objects found outside in the forest.
Concepts: There are natural and manmade objects in an outdoor environment.
Context for Use
This activity is to be used in an environment that will allow children to go outdoors for observation. Two time periods of 30 minutes each is recommended. Materials needed: Paper and pencil or science journals for observation and notes, black tempera paint and brushes for artwork, Styrofoam sheets, one or two brayers, colored pencils, cardstock paper for the classroom book, pictures of natural vs. manmade materials. This activity can be adapted for an inside situation if it is rich in materials.
Description and Teaching Materials
The teacher will lead a classroom discussion on what is natural and what is manmade. Photos of various items would be helpful, but not necessary.
The teacher will then read Antler, Bear, Canoe by Betsy Bowen and hold a discussion on natural vs. manmade items in the book.
This could end the session of continue for a longer session.
The class will take their paper or science journals and walk to the outdoor classroom area for observation. At this point the children are only writing observations, not focusing on a letter of the alphabet. Take 10 minutes or more for observations and writing.
Once inside, the class as a group will brainstorm ideas from the school forest for each letter of the alphabet. The students will then take a letter of the alphabet and write a sentence on cardstock paper corresponding to that letter. The students will then be handed a piece of Styrofoam sheet and etch a picture that matches their sentence written, focusing on the parts. With a brayer and close supervision, the students will then print over their Styrofoam sheet with black paint. They will then color in their drawing with colored pencils. The teacher will then bind the book.
Follow up: As the teacher reads the class-made book to the students, the students will decide if the items in the book are natural or manmade.
The teacher will then read Antler, Bear, Canoe by Betsy Bowen and hold a discussion on natural vs. manmade items in the book.
This could end the session of continue for a longer session.
The class will take their paper or science journals and walk to the outdoor classroom area for observation. At this point the children are only writing observations, not focusing on a letter of the alphabet. Take 10 minutes or more for observations and writing.
Once inside, the class as a group will brainstorm ideas from the school forest for each letter of the alphabet. The students will then take a letter of the alphabet and write a sentence on cardstock paper corresponding to that letter. The students will then be handed a piece of Styrofoam sheet and etch a picture that matches their sentence written, focusing on the parts. With a brayer and close supervision, the students will then print over their Styrofoam sheet with black paint. They will then color in their drawing with colored pencils. The teacher will then bind the book.
Follow up: As the teacher reads the class-made book to the students, the students will decide if the items in the book are natural or manmade.
Teaching Notes and Tips
Explain ground rules for outside classroom activities. This activity could be used as a fall and spring unit to compare the two books.
Assessment
Assessment will be conducted through observation of student understanding during both the student sheets and through classroom discussion.
Standards
Environmental literacy benchmark:
Social systems and natural systems are made of parts.
Social systems and natural systems are made of parts.