Language Arts Lessons and Activities
Nature's Alphabet
Lesson Synopsis
For this lesson I had students head outside to collect all different types of natural materials like leaves, pinecones, twigs, and rocks. I brought out some white pieces of card stock and assigned each student a letter to replicate. I wrote out a capital and lowercase letter of each letter for students and had them copy making their letters out of the natural materials on their card stock. I took photos of every students letters, and we use this as part of our classroom alphabet. We also had students draw pictures of Canadian wild animals for each letter using oil pastel, and used student photos on letters that began with their first initials as part of an indoor extension for this lesson.
Lesson Synopsis
For this lesson I had students head outside to collect all different types of natural materials like leaves, pinecones, twigs, and rocks. I brought out some white pieces of card stock and assigned each student a letter to replicate. I wrote out a capital and lowercase letter of each letter for students and had them copy making their letters out of the natural materials on their card stock. I took photos of every students letters, and we use this as part of our classroom alphabet. We also had students draw pictures of Canadian wild animals for each letter using oil pastel, and used student photos on letters that began with their first initials as part of an indoor extension for this lesson.
Download full lesson plan
language_arts_-_letters_lesson.docx | |
File Size: | 118 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Math LESSONS AND ACTIVITIES
Creating and Translating Patterns
Lesson Synopsis
For this lesson, we decided to head outside and make the newly fallen snow our canvas for the day. Students were asked to find various fall materials from our school's backyard cluster of trees that we have aptly named "Our Tree Spot" and create some various patterns using these materials. We did a series of mini lessons on different types of patterns, how to translate these patterns, and extending patterns as students were creating and translating their work. After using the nature manipulatives, I encouraged students to treat the fresh snow as a type of blank canvas to draw some patterns. Most students used shape patterns to represent the patterns I would call out. (ie. Everyone draw me an ABC pattern, now show me an ABB pattern, etc.)
For this lesson, we decided to head outside and make the newly fallen snow our canvas for the day. Students were asked to find various fall materials from our school's backyard cluster of trees that we have aptly named "Our Tree Spot" and create some various patterns using these materials. We did a series of mini lessons on different types of patterns, how to translate these patterns, and extending patterns as students were creating and translating their work. After using the nature manipulatives, I encouraged students to treat the fresh snow as a type of blank canvas to draw some patterns. Most students used shape patterns to represent the patterns I would call out. (ie. Everyone draw me an ABC pattern, now show me an ABB pattern, etc.)
Download full lesson plan
math_-_patterns_lesson.docx | |
File Size: | 125 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Observing and Describing Patterns
Lesson Synopsis
For this lesson, we decided to head outside to observe patterns that exist all around us. Students took to the playground immediately with its vibrant colours and unique shapes I was amazed at all the different combinations of patterns students were able to observe. We did a mini lesson where I encouraged students to guess a pattern that I would create by selecting students to come stand in a line. I then let the students have a try at creating their own unique patterns by finding similarities of different colours or clothing combinations of their peers. The ABAB pattern above was created by a student who selected their peers who were either wearing a hat (A) or not wearing a hat (B).
For this lesson, we decided to head outside to observe patterns that exist all around us. Students took to the playground immediately with its vibrant colours and unique shapes I was amazed at all the different combinations of patterns students were able to observe. We did a mini lesson where I encouraged students to guess a pattern that I would create by selecting students to come stand in a line. I then let the students have a try at creating their own unique patterns by finding similarities of different colours or clothing combinations of their peers. The ABAB pattern above was created by a student who selected their peers who were either wearing a hat (A) or not wearing a hat (B).
Download full lesson plan
math_-_patterns_lesson_1.docx | |
File Size: | 117 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Building Numbers in Nature
Lesson Synopsis
For this lesson, I modelled it on the nature's alphabet lesson we did in September. We went outside and collected different pinecones, sticks, rocks, and leaves to create our number symbols from 1-20. I had pre-written cards prepared for numbers 1-20 to give to students as a reference. Students worked in partner groups to practice building their numbers on the white paper provided and I came around to take pictures of their created numbers. One challenge I found with this lesson, was that it was a very sunny day but there was a lot of snow on the ground. In hindsight I would have made the snow my 'canvas' and had them create their numbers on either the plain concrete or the snow rather than on the white paper I brought out and had to immediately recycle after it got soaking wet and muddy. I would have liked to choose a shady area like we did with the alphabet letters to have better quality photos to share on our number wall since the shadows have impacted the quality of the photos. We also could have gone out to collect the materials and done the building of the numbers inside - but I wanted to give them as much chance as possible to be outdoors and practice working in an outdoor environment!
For this lesson, I modelled it on the nature's alphabet lesson we did in September. We went outside and collected different pinecones, sticks, rocks, and leaves to create our number symbols from 1-20. I had pre-written cards prepared for numbers 1-20 to give to students as a reference. Students worked in partner groups to practice building their numbers on the white paper provided and I came around to take pictures of their created numbers. One challenge I found with this lesson, was that it was a very sunny day but there was a lot of snow on the ground. In hindsight I would have made the snow my 'canvas' and had them create their numbers on either the plain concrete or the snow rather than on the white paper I brought out and had to immediately recycle after it got soaking wet and muddy. I would have liked to choose a shady area like we did with the alphabet letters to have better quality photos to share on our number wall since the shadows have impacted the quality of the photos. We also could have gone out to collect the materials and done the building of the numbers inside - but I wanted to give them as much chance as possible to be outdoors and practice working in an outdoor environment!
Download full lesson plan here
math_-_numbers_lesson.docx | |
File Size: | 89 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Science LESSONS AND ACTIVITIES
Seasonal Changes
Lesson Synopsis
For this lesson on seasonal changes I put together an exploration book that allows students to use their senses to explore the changing nature outside. Each students was given a clipboard, a booklet, and brought out their pencils and erasers for our nature walk. We started by documenting the temperature and weather of that day and coming up with an I wonder statement. Students were encouraged to consider questions they may have about seasons, nature, or weather and draw a picture or write a few words on their "I wonder" page of the books. We then headed off to "Our Tree Spot" to take a closer look at how things were changing outside. Students used their senses to document their observations on different pages. They drew pictures, wrote sentences, or wrote a few key words about things they observed with their eyes, ears, hands, and noses. We also read a few pages from Nature All Around: Trees and learned some key vocabulary like chlorophyl and photosynthesis that helped to explain why the leaves change colours in the fall. When students had completed all of the pages in their booklets, they also drew a picture or wrote a sentence on the I discovered page of their booklets about something new they may have learned or discovered during our nature walk. We also held a discussion group circle where each student got to share something they discovered during the lesson, this was a great chance for me to write assessment notes and ask deeper questions about they why's and how's of what they discovered.
Note: this "lesson" was done over the course of four different days and was an activity that was very easy to return to when we had a free afternoon to head outside and keep working on it. This was a great background lesson that was ongoing over the course of the 2 weeks it took to complete it, and did not require a lot of prep work outside of the initial explanation and creation of the booklet. I chose to do this lesson as 4 - 1 hour 30 minute lessons to wrap it up over a two week period, but it is also something that could be ongoing for a quick 20-30 minute lesson twice a week, or once per week over the course of a month. The timeline for the structure of this type of activity is very flexible and up to teacher discretion!
For this lesson on seasonal changes I put together an exploration book that allows students to use their senses to explore the changing nature outside. Each students was given a clipboard, a booklet, and brought out their pencils and erasers for our nature walk. We started by documenting the temperature and weather of that day and coming up with an I wonder statement. Students were encouraged to consider questions they may have about seasons, nature, or weather and draw a picture or write a few words on their "I wonder" page of the books. We then headed off to "Our Tree Spot" to take a closer look at how things were changing outside. Students used their senses to document their observations on different pages. They drew pictures, wrote sentences, or wrote a few key words about things they observed with their eyes, ears, hands, and noses. We also read a few pages from Nature All Around: Trees and learned some key vocabulary like chlorophyl and photosynthesis that helped to explain why the leaves change colours in the fall. When students had completed all of the pages in their booklets, they also drew a picture or wrote a sentence on the I discovered page of their booklets about something new they may have learned or discovered during our nature walk. We also held a discussion group circle where each student got to share something they discovered during the lesson, this was a great chance for me to write assessment notes and ask deeper questions about they why's and how's of what they discovered.
Note: this "lesson" was done over the course of four different days and was an activity that was very easy to return to when we had a free afternoon to head outside and keep working on it. This was a great background lesson that was ongoing over the course of the 2 weeks it took to complete it, and did not require a lot of prep work outside of the initial explanation and creation of the booklet. I chose to do this lesson as 4 - 1 hour 30 minute lessons to wrap it up over a two week period, but it is also something that could be ongoing for a quick 20-30 minute lesson twice a week, or once per week over the course of a month. The timeline for the structure of this type of activity is very flexible and up to teacher discretion!
Download full lesson plan
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Download "My Autumn Book" Template
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Natural and Artificial Colours
Lesson Synopsis
For this lesson, we went on an "I spy" colour hunt outside to observe colours. We talked about natural vs. artificial colours and tracked down different objects and materials that existed around our school. I created an I Spy chart with different colour names and boxes and students had to observe and sketch their findings in the boxes. We brought our visual journals outside where I had glued in the I spy charts and took turns at different areas around the school sitting and sketching. After we had come up with some ideas I added in some words to their pictures for them to help share our ideas. We sat in a circle and shared our ideas and brainstormed whether it was a natural or artificial colour that made it look like that.
For this lesson, we went on an "I spy" colour hunt outside to observe colours. We talked about natural vs. artificial colours and tracked down different objects and materials that existed around our school. I created an I Spy chart with different colour names and boxes and students had to observe and sketch their findings in the boxes. We brought our visual journals outside where I had glued in the I spy charts and took turns at different areas around the school sitting and sketching. After we had come up with some ideas I added in some words to their pictures for them to help share our ideas. We sat in a circle and shared our ideas and brainstormed whether it was a natural or artificial colour that made it look like that.
Click here to download full lesson plan
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Click here to download I Spy chart
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Health and phys ed LESSONS AND ACTIVITIES
Lesson Ideas
Here are a list of some various ways to incorporate outdoor learning into health and phys-ed activities.
Phys-Ed
- Locomotor skills ( walking, running, hopping, jumping, leaping, rolling, skipping, galloping, climbing, sliding) can be taught on the playground, in the field as a warm up for other activities, or as a body break during outdoor lessons.
- Non locomotor skills (turning, twisting, swinging, balancing, bending, landing, stretching, curling, hanging)
- Soccer - can be done outdoors in the field
- Basketball - can be done on an outdoor court
- Field hockey - can be done on an outdoor court
- Flag football and tag games
- Lacrosse - can be done in the field or on an outdoor court
- Flag rugby - can be done in the field
- Softball and T-ball - in the field
- Snowshoeing - in the field, field trips, around the community
- Running and jogging - in the field
- Tetherball - in the playground
- Track and field - in the field
- Outdoor volleyball - in the field, outdoor sand pits
- Winterball - in the field
- Archery - in the field, field trips
- Cross country skiing - in the field, field trips, in the community
- Cricket - in the field
- Dodgeball - in the field
Health
- Safety and responsibility: looking before crossing the street, safe pedestrian practices
- Interactions: playing with others at recess and during free play time outside
- Learning strategies: exploring different ways to know or come to know new things
- Volunteerism: community clean up and recycling intiatives
Here are a list of some various ways to incorporate outdoor learning into health and phys-ed activities.
Phys-Ed
- Locomotor skills ( walking, running, hopping, jumping, leaping, rolling, skipping, galloping, climbing, sliding) can be taught on the playground, in the field as a warm up for other activities, or as a body break during outdoor lessons.
- Non locomotor skills (turning, twisting, swinging, balancing, bending, landing, stretching, curling, hanging)
- Soccer - can be done outdoors in the field
- Basketball - can be done on an outdoor court
- Field hockey - can be done on an outdoor court
- Flag football and tag games
- Lacrosse - can be done in the field or on an outdoor court
- Flag rugby - can be done in the field
- Softball and T-ball - in the field
- Snowshoeing - in the field, field trips, around the community
- Running and jogging - in the field
- Tetherball - in the playground
- Track and field - in the field
- Outdoor volleyball - in the field, outdoor sand pits
- Winterball - in the field
- Archery - in the field, field trips
- Cross country skiing - in the field, field trips, in the community
- Cricket - in the field
- Dodgeball - in the field
Health
- Safety and responsibility: looking before crossing the street, safe pedestrian practices
- Interactions: playing with others at recess and during free play time outside
- Learning strategies: exploring different ways to know or come to know new things
- Volunteerism: community clean up and recycling intiatives