Learning Activity Template

 

Title:  Nutty for Nature - Duluth                                                                                                                   

 

Curriculum:  Science / Reading / Environmental Studies                                                                                     

 

Grade-Level Span:  Grades K-5, and Special Education                                                                      

 

Authors Names: Annette Loiselle, Bonnie Fritch, Elizabeth Bartel, and David Bartel

 

                            ISD #709  Duluth, Minnesota

 

PURPOSE:  The purpose of this project is to immerse the students in environmental learning through technology and research.

 

 

DESCRIPTION:  The students will actively participate in nature activities on the school forest trails. 

They will locate, identify, research, study, and develop a plan of how to present their learning to others.

 

 

ACTIVITIES

Curriculum Standards

Minnesota Technology Standards

ISTE-NETS

Information Literacy Standard

Big 6

Complete a KWL Chart ( Kidspiration)

Reading

I.A.

 

I.A.

#5

Walk the nature trail and make observations. Record observations from the nature trail during the year in a journal.

Physical Science

 

 

 

#2, #3, #4

View Power Point presentation of nature trail.  Locate and access information from links.

Science Research

III.C.

#1, #5, #8

III. C.

#3, #4

Locate 25 markers and identify plants found on the Lakewood nature trail.

Life Science

 

 

 

#3

Create a map of the Lakewood nature trail.

Math /

Social Studies

II.A.

 

II.A.

#5

Compare the contrast the changes observed during different seasons (Kidspiration)

Reading / Life Science

 

 

 

#5

The students will choose one specimen from the nature trail to research. 

 

 

#4

 

 

The students will create a Power Point slide to be complied into a class presentation.

Writing

III.D.

#5, #9

III.D.

#6

 

TOOLS AND RESOURCES:

(List all Web sites, specific software and hardware, and other needs.)

www.oplin.org/tree/index.html

Google images (linked sites)

Kidspiration

Digital camera

Microsoft Power Point

In-focus camera

 

 

ASESSMENT:

(How will you assess the students’ learning? If you have a rubric, record it here. Be as specific as possible.)

The students will have successfully completed a Power Point slide which includes a digital photo and related facts about their specimens.

Individual grade levels will use rubrics based on age appropriate skill levels, which will include a spiraling progression of technology skills. 

 

 

 

CREDITS (INCLUDING CONTACT INFORMATION):

(Record the names and e-mail addresses, if possible, of those who contributed to the development of this learning activity.)

Annette Loiselle   amlois@duluth.k12.mn.us

Bonnie Fritch        bmfrit@duluth.k12.mn.us

Elizabeth Bartel     eabart@duluth.k12.mn.us

David Bartel           djbart@duluth.k12.mn.us

 

 

COMMENTS:    These lessons are works in progress.  We hope to continue and refine them as time goes on.  We consider them springboards for other curriculum development, like “backpack activities”. 

           We are also committed to professional growth through technology.  We are planning to expand these lessons after learning the “Movie Maker” program. 

 

 

(Have you taught this learning activity before? What are the great ah ha’s/experiences you had?)

Used with permission of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) Project (http://www.iste.org or http://cnets.iste.org)  Contact:  Lajeane Thomas, Louisiana Tech University, P.O. Box 3161, Ruston, LA 71272;   Voice: 318 257-3923  Email:  lthomas@latech.edu