Plan
| Week 1 |
Day 1
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Day 2
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Day 3
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Day 4
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Day 5
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| Activities |
Guided Nature Walk - Students explore the outdoor environment and collect natural items like leaves, rocks, and twigs while observing and discussing their features. (20 min)
Circle Time Discussion - Students share their nature walk findings and brainstorm potential everyday uses for collected items. (25 min)
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Observational Drawing - Students create detailed drawings of collected nature items to enhance observation skills. (20 min)
Pattern Exploration - Students use natural items to create simple patterns, discussing shapes and sequences. (25 min)
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Counting and Sorting Game - Students practice counting and sorting collected items by size, color, and type. (20 min)
Problem-Solving Brainstorm - Students identify everyday problems and suggest how nature items could help solve them. (25 min)
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Measurement Activity - Students use non-standard units (e.g., sticks or fingers) to measure natural items and compare sizes. (20 min)
Nature Journal Entry - Students document their observations and measurements in their nature journals using drawings and simple words. (25 min)
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Building Structures - Students work in small groups to create simple structures using collected twigs and leaves, discussing stability and design. (20 min)
Reflection Circle - Students share their experiences and insights from the week's activities, focusing on how nature observations can solve problems. (25 min)
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| Deliverables |
1. Completion of the first entries in the Nature Observation Journal with drawings and simple descriptions of collected items and their potential uses.
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| Preparation |
1. Gather materials for the nature walk, such as small bags or baskets for collecting items.
2. Prepare a circle time area with seating for all students to discuss their findings. 3. Provide sorting mats or trays to assist children in organizing their collected items. 4. Have counting blocks or counting mats available to support mathematical activities. 5. Ensure art supplies like glue, paper, and crayons are available for creative activities. |
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| Week 2 |
Day 6
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Day 7
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Day 8
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Day 9
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Day 10
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Nature Observation Review - Begin with a circle time where students share their favorite nature observations from last week and recall how these observations relate to solving everyday problems (15 min)
Pattern Discovery Walk - Lead a guided nature walk focusing on discovering patterns in nature, such as leaf arrangements or rock formations, and encourage students to document these patterns in their observation journals (30 min)
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Pattern Sorting Activity - In the classroom, use collected natural items to sort and categorize them into different patterns, discussing shapes and sizes to reinforce mathematical thinking (25 min)
Pattern Art Creation - Have students use sorted natural items to create patterns on paper, capturing them with drawings or photos for their observation journals (20 min)
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Counting Nature's Treasures - Engage students in counting and grouping the natural items they collected, emphasizing the concept of cardinality and number relationships (20 min)
Nature Counting Game - Play a game where students use their collected items to solve simple counting challenges, promoting collaboration and problem-solving (25 min)
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Measuring with Nature - Introduce simple measuring activities using natural items as units of measure, like using sticks to measure how long a leaf is (20 min)
Nature Measurement Relay - Organize a relay race where students measure distances using different natural items, recording results to compare later (25 min)
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Problem-Solving Brainstorm - Gather students to brainstorm how patterns, counting, and measuring can help solve everyday problems, fostering critical thinking (20 min)
Nature Problem-Solving Book Entry - Guide students in adding a new entry to their 'Nature Problem-Solving Book', focusing on a specific problem they explored and solved this week using nature (25 min)
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| Deliverables |
1. Nature Observation Journal: Students will complete entries that include drawings and descriptions of their sorting and pattern-making activities.
2. Pattern Samples: Students will create and display their patterns using natural items, showcasing their understanding of sorting and pattern creation. |
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| Preparation |
1. Gather materials such as baskets or bags for collecting items during the nature walk.
2. Prepare a sorting mat or trays to help students organize their collected items in the classroom. 3. Provide art supplies like paper, crayons, or markers for students to document their observations in their journals. 4. Set up a classroom display area where students can showcase their patterns. 5. Arrange for a safe and accessible nature walk location where students can easily find and collect natural items. |
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| Week 3 |
Day 11
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Day 12
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Day 13
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Day 14
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Day 15
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Nature Walk and Observation - Students revisit the outdoor environment and observe changes since the last walk, focusing on seasonal differences in natural items. (20 min)
Exploring Texture - Students feel and describe the textures of collected natural items, then sort them based on texture categories such as rough or smooth. (25 min)
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Pattern Reinforcement - Using new natural items, students create complex patterns and discuss the sequences and differences from previous patterns. (20 min)
Creative Problem-Solving - Students brainstorm how textures and patterns can be used in everyday solutions, such as creating art or identifying objects. (25 min)
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Size Comparison Activity - Students compare the sizes of natural items using non-standard units and order them from smallest to largest. (20 min)
Problem-Solving Application - Students propose solutions to everyday problems using size comparison, such as determining the best size for building materials. (25 min)
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Nature Math Game - Students play a game using collected items to practice counting and addition, enhancing their mathematical thinking. (20 min)
Journal Reflection - Students update their nature journals with new findings, including sizes and quantities, using drawings and simple sentences. (25 min)
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Collaborative Structure Building - Students work together to build more complex structures using natural items, focusing on size and stability. (20 min)
Sharing Solutions - Students present their structure designs and discuss how they solve everyday problems, integrating observations from the week. (25 min)
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| Deliverables |
1. Completed leaf rubbings with observations recorded
2. Journal entries documenting the leaf sorting and measurement activities 3. A page in the "Nature Problem-Solving Book" featuring a leaf-based solution |
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| Preparation |
1. Gather various materials for leaf rubbing, such as crayons, paper, and collected leaves.
2. Prepare measurement tools like paperclips, blocks, or rulers for non-standard measurement activities. 3. Organize materials for creating the "Nature Problem-Solving Book," including construction paper, markers, and binding supplies. 4. Set up a designated area in the classroom for displaying students' leaf rubbings and measurement findings. 5. Ensure digital cameras or tablets are available to document the nature walk and students' activities for future reflection. |
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| Week 4 |
Day 16
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Day 17
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Day 18
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Day 19
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Day 20
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| Activities |
Exhibition Preparation - Students select their favorite nature observations and solutions to everyday problems to showcase during the Nature Discovery Day. (20 min)
Display Creation - Students create displays using collected natural materials, arranging them to demonstrate their problem-solving ideas creatively. (25 min)
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Nature Walk Revisit - Students go on a final nature walk to observe any last changes or collect additional items for their exhibition displays. (20 min)
Observation Journal Compilation - Students finalize their nature journals by summarizing their learning experiences and preparing them for the exhibition. (25 min)
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Exhibition Role Practice - Students practice explaining their displays and findings to peers, focusing on clear communication and storytelling. (20 min)
Nature Discovery Day Setup - Students work collaboratively to arrange the classroom or outdoor area for the upcoming exhibition, ensuring all displays are ready. (25 min)
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Guided Nature Walk with Guests - Students lead a nature walk for family and friends, sharing observations and discussing mathematical concepts explored. (20 min)
Exhibition Presentation - Students present their Nature Problem-Solving Book entries and displays to guests, articulating their learning journey and solutions. (25 min)
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Reflection and Celebration - Students gather to share their favorite moments from the project, reflecting on their learning and growth. (20 min)
Project Wrap-Up Circle - Students discuss how they can continue using nature to solve problems in everyday life, and celebrate their achievements with a small ceremony. (25 min)
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| Deliverables |
1. Completed Nature Problem-Solving Book
2. Nature Discovery Day displays |
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| Preparation |
1. Gather art supplies for book creation, such as paper, crayons, markers, and glue.
2. Organize collected natural materials for display creation, ensuring a variety of options for students to choose from. 3. Prepare a space for hosting Nature Discovery Day, with areas for displays and seating for guests. 4. Create prompts and questions to facilitate students' explanations during Nature Discovery Day. 5. Coordinate logistical aspects of the event, such as inviting families and friends and organizing the schedule for the day. |
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