Insect Investigations part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
Jaime Souza, Audubon Center of the North Woods, Sandstone, MN, based on a recent Bio-blitz that I participated in at the July MnStep in Sandstone
This activity is a field investigation or bio-blitz where students are collecting as many different types of insects as they can. Back in the lab, they will record their findings, sort and classify the insects found. This will lead into a class discussion on biodiversity and the importance of insects and their benefits all living things.

Investigating Insects in Nature part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
Heidi Kuechle, Eden Valley-Watkins Elem. Eden Valley, MN original activity from Gary Duncomb teacher at Eden Valley-Watkins
This activity is a field investigation where students collect insects to analyze, observe, and classify

English Language Learners Create a Botanic Field Guide part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
Nenette Onstad, ELL Teacher Edgerton Elementary School Maplewood, Minnesota
ELL students create and share a botanic field guide incorporating depiction, measurement, description, and classification of common Minnesota trees, shrubs, wildflowers, and plants.

Nature Stories: Promoting Environmental Awareness through Culture and Exploration. part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
Nicholas Pawlowski, St. Mary's Mission School, Red Lake, MN, inspired from Caduto and Bruchac's book Keepers of the Earth.
This activity uses a cultural story to excite kinesthetic homework, nature journaling and daily adventure in a child's own back yard or kitchen flower pot.

Discovering Nature in our Neighborhood: An Investigation of Natural Communities around Our School part of MnSTEP Teaching Activity Collection:MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
Natasha Rubenstein, Ames Elementary School, Saint Paul, MN.
In this unit, students make regular journal entries about a plant/animal/insect community in the natural area around our school and use this to create a Non-fiction Class Book. They also interview family/resources to discover, record and present stories about human relationships with nature from their culture(s).