ERIC ED391698: Let Nature Be the Teacher: Seasonal Natural History Activities for Parents and Other Educators To Share with Young Children.

98 Pages·1993·2.2 MB·English

by  ERIC

DOCUMENT RESUME
ED 391 698
SE 057 913
AUTHOR
Gertz, Lucille N.
TITLE
Let Nature Be the Teacher: Seasonal Natural History
Activities for Parents and Other Educators To Share
with Young Children.
INSTITUTION
Habitat Inst. for the Environment, Belmont, MA.
PUB DATE
93
NOTE
98p.; Illustrated by Nancy N. Childs.
AVAILABLE FROM
Habitat Institute for the Environment, 10 Juniper
Road, Belmont, MA 02178.
PUB TYPE
Guides
Non-Classroom Use (055)
EDRS PRICE
MF01/PC04 Plus Postage.
DESCRIPTORS
Ecology; Elementary Education; *Environmental
Education; Experiential Learning; *Natural Resources;
*Observation; Outdoor Activities; Outdoor Education;
*Parent Participation; Science Activities
IDENTIFIERS
*Natural History
ABSTRACT
This book is designed to provide parents and other
adult companions with activities to do with children on outdoor
walks. The activities offer adults and children a shared learning
experience and have been adapted from the children's education
program at Habitat Institute for the Environment (Massachusetts). The
activities are arranged seasonally, based on natural history events
that can be observed during those particular seasons. Eight
distinctly different seasons can be observed: late winter's quiet
giants (trees in February and early March), subtle signs of early
spring (late March and April), spring's dramatic changes (May and
June), long days and warm nights of summer (July and August),
summer's grand finale (September), forests in autumn (October), late
autumn preparing for winter (November and early December), and snow
(laid-December and January). Each seasonal section includes nature
study activities that have a reasonably good chance of being done
with success in that season. Within the seasonal sections, the
aceivities are presented in random order.
(JRH)
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Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made
from the original document.
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LUCILLE N. GERTZ, DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS
Seasonal
Natural History
Activities for Parents,
and Other Educators
to Share with Young
Children
with Illustrations by
Nancy N. Ozilds
Teacher/Naturalist
HABITAT INSTITUTE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
BELMONT, MASSACHUSETTS
4
This book is dedicated
to the many curious
children who have visited
Habitat for classes,
camps,
and field trips. Their
enthusiasm and energy
inspired the development of
many, many new activities.
This is also dedicated to the
parents and teachers who
accompany these children
on their outings. Much can
be learned from their
example of patience,
excitement, and guidance.
.c.1993 LUCILLE N. GERTZ. ALL
RIGHTS RESERVED.
HABITAT INSTITUTE FOR THE
ENVIRONMENT
10 JUNIPER ROAD
BELMONT, MASSACHUSETTS
02178
preface
There are few places for
This book is the second that
children to explore safely on
Lucille Gertz has written at
their own; organized sports,
Habitat and, like the first, it
TV, and Nintendo games fill
is based on her long experi-
leisure hours that are re-
ence as a teacher of natural
moved from the world of real
It also
history for children.
sensory experience, and
emphasizes much of the
families have less time to do
philosophy behind Habitat
things together.
that exploring and learning
about nature can be an
Children from early ages on
experience shared by chil-
like to poke around in the
dren and adults together,
outdoor world but parents
not just something for chil-
often don't know how to
dren to learn from teachers
constructively encourage
trained in the area.
their natural curiosity or to
answer their questions.
Many years ago, Ruth
Lucille's book, the result of
Churchill used to spend time
working with a group of
with her children, observing
families over several years,
with them the varied aspects
provides just such an oppor-
of the natural world to be
tunity for children and adults
found on this place. Her
to learn together. Full of
love for and understanding
activities, related information,
of nature led her to manage
Elizabeth Atkins
and helpful suggestions, it
the property for wildlife and
TEACHER/NATURALIST
can be picked up at any time
inspired her children and
of year and used for a brief
family friends to have her
HABITAT INSTITUTE FOR
interval or for a few hours.
estate preserved as a wildlife
THE ENVIRONMENT
Grandparents, parents,
sanctuary and used for
extended family members,
environmental education.
day care providers, or friends
Habitat continues her
along with the children on
legacyteaching children to
these explorations, will find
appreciate. respect, and love
that shared discoveries lead
the natural world.
to at' increased appreciation
of the natural world and a
Today. life is more pressured
concern for its future.
for both children and adults.
nts
acknowled
Phoebe Barnes, Jameela
Emily Starr-Phillips (5).
Many individuals offered
Julie and Peter (4) Strong.
Pedicini (age 8), and Rafael
their time, talents, and
Pedicini (5). Sharon Bauer,
Will and Emily (6) Twombly
energy to this publication.
and Denise Siegal (6).
Elie Breakstone (9), and
I would like to extend my
Bjoins Weinerfe lt and Joan
Sudip Peterson (10). Claire,
gratitude to them.
Stone. Susan and Tom (4)
Matthew (4), and Jeremy (1)
Blake. Kerry, Anna (6), and Youmans.
A note was placed in the
Nina (9) Brandin. Sandy and
Habitat newsletter during
Elisha Atkins, Executive
Will (9) Fisher. Mary Fusani
the summer of 1990 which
Director at Habitat, Eliza-
and Jana (5) and Andrea (6)
stated that I was looking for
beth Atkins, Teacher/Natu-
Pollack. Nancy, Christina
parents and children to test
ralist at Habitat, and Tom
(6), and Richard (3) Gauron.
activities which would
Tyning, Master Naturalist at
Sharon, Ben (6), and Mia (2)
eventually be compiled into
Massachusetts Audubon
Grossman. Vicky, Anthony
a book. I was overwhelmed
Society, reviewed the text.
(4), and Olivia (1) Hood.
to hear from almost sixty
Linda Kaplan and Kirkland
Minnie Gertz proofread.
families interested in the
(5) Kraines. Anna Knight
project. After an information
Special, deep appreciation to
and William (2). Clare
exchange, there were still
Nancy Childs for her breath-
Walker Leslie and Eric Leslie
approximately thirty families
takingly beautiful custom-
(11). Ann and Hannah
available. They were asked
ized illustrations, to Barbara
Mathes (5). Ginger, Teddy,
to come monthly, try various
Herzstein for her wonderful
and Christopher Miller.
seasonal activities, and
editing skills and supportive
Ellen Mounteer and Kate (5)
provide feedback. The input
expertise, and to Lynn
and Carl (2) Burdick. Emmy
from these families was
Sternbergh for her talents as
Novick, Becky (5) and Nicho-
invaluable. I am sincerely
las (2) Goldstein. Kathy,
designer.
grateful to the follov.ring
John, Sarah, and Emily
activity testers.
Parkinson. Heather Parsons
and Niko (8) and Alexander
(3) Petite. Emily, Matthew
(8), Elizabeth (6), and Rachel
(3) Reardon. Anne, Daniel,
and Hilary Ridman. Donna,
Mc Kane (5), and Sam (1)
Sharff. Everett, Amy, Rachel
(6), and Margot (4) Shorey.
Jon, Karen, and Lindsay (4)
Slote. Barbara Starr and
contents
PREFACE
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
INTRODUCTION FOR PARENTS
A Note from the Author
1
About This Book
2
Keeping a Nature Notebook
5
with Children
Approaches to Outdoor Explorations
5
Notes for All Seasons
6
WEATHER
GOING ON A NATURE WALK
Improve Them
Observation Skills and Activities to
10
WHAT DID I CHANGE?
KIM'S GAME
ONE-IN-THREE
MYSTERY SOCK
NATURAL SYMPHONY
HUMAN CAMERAS
SCAVENGER HUNT
UNNATURE TRAIL
OBSERVATION WALK
a
SEASONAL EVENTS AND WAYS TO APPRECIATE THEM
Quiet Giants (February-Early March)
16
ACTIVITIES: ONE SPECIAL TREE
16
Tree Listening
Tree Observations
Twigs and Branching
Tree Bark
THE TREE'S NEIGHBORHOOD
19
Observation Walk
Meeting Other Trees
Evergreens
Age a Pine Tree
TREES NEAR YOUR HOME
22
Subtle Signs (Late March-April)
23
ACTIVITIES: WIND
24
Windy Day Scavenger Hunt
Test the Wind Direction and
Feel Wind Chill
Seeking Shelter from the Wind
Classify the Wind
How Is the Wind Useful?
Make a Wind Pinwheel
Make a Traveling Maple Seed Helicopter
Make a Wind Sock
MUD
30
Into the Depths
Animal Tracks in the Mud
RAIN
31
The Importance of Water
The Water Cycle
Rain Scavenger Hunt
Make a Rain Painting
Collecting and Testing Rain
MAGICAL VERNAL POOLS
34
Early Signs of Spring Scavenger Hunt
36
Dramatic Changes (May-June)
37
ACTIVITIES: BIRDS
38
I Have Wings
Where Do I Go?
Home Tweet Home
Bird Scavenger Hunt
MAMMALS
39
Mating Call
Scent Trail
Real Estate
Camoufkige
Mammal Signs Scavenger Hunt
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