Academy Curricular Exchange
Columbia Education Center
Science

TITLE:  Guidebook

AUTHOR:  Geralene Richard, Eastside Elem., WY

GRADE LEVEL/SUBJECT:  4-6, environmental awareness

OVERVIEW:  Environmental education is stressed in all grade
levels.  Often children perceive "outdoor education" to mean
the national forests or any land that is outside the urban
area.  I use this lesson to make children that "outdoor
education" encompasses all land.

PURPOSE:  Students will develop an understanding and
appreciation of the environment around them through the
research and publishing of a guidebook.

RESOURCES/MATERIALS:  plant books, science teachers, county
extension agents, Forest Service, BLM, or any knowledgeable
person; drawing paper, pencils, computer, printer; optional
- binder, increment borer (for aging at least one deciduous
tree)

ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURES:
  1.  Students list all they know about any plants found on
      the school grounds.
  2.  Working in pairs or small groups, students identify
      certain plants.
  3.  The groups research the plant and discover any
      benefits to man, any diseases, history, whether it is
      native to the area, etc.  (This list should be student
      generated with some guidance from you.)
  4.  Students learn how to age deciduous trees and
      conifers.
  5.  Each group writes a narrative and draw or find
      pictures about their plant.
  6.  Students publish their book and make several copies.
  7.  Students give guided tours of the school area to other
      classes, parents, and any interested community groups.

TYING IT ALL TOGETHER:  The culmination of this unit would
be giving guided tours using their published guidebook.

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES:  Include insects and other animal
life.  Plant another tree or bush of a species not found on
the playground.  TALENTS UNLIMITED is good to use with this.

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