Nurturing Inquiry: School Ground Observations
Nurturing Inquiry: School Ground Observations
Author: Evergreen Canada (Melanie Bergelt)
Grade(s): 1, 2 ,3, 4
Season: Any
Lesson Length: ~40min
Topics: observations, questions, habitats, community
Description: An important building block in the inquiry process is close observation and the questions it generates. In this activity, students act as scientists in research teams to explore different school ground habitats. Students practice outdoor group work skills.
Materials:
- 5 Teacher-drawn school ground maps
- Pencil & Clipboard (1/student)
Curricular Connections
Ontario – Grade 4
Topic: Life Systems
Strand: Habitats and Communities
Specific Lesson Goals:
- Classify plants and animals that they have observed in local habitats according to similarities and differences (i.e. location)
- Formulate questions about and identify the needs of animals and plants in a particular habitat
British Columbia
Grade 1 – Big Ideas
Living things have features and behaviours that help them survive in their environment.
Grade 2 – Big Ideas
Living things have life cycles adapted to their environment.
Grade 3 – Big Ideas
Living things are diverse, can be grouped, and interact in their ecosystems.
Grade 4 – Big Ideas
All living things sense and respond to their environment.
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