Excerpt
Getting Started
The first step is to choose a habitat to study. A habitat is simply a place where plants and animals live. There are many types of habitats: forest, pond, desert, swamp, field, stream, etc. What natural areas are interesting and accessible to you? You should choose a habitat close to your location for several reasons:
1. You will have more access to the animal and plant life so children will be able to experience these things first hand.
2. You will be more familiar with the area, and will be able to locate more resources.
3. The theme will be relevant to children’s lives because they are more likely to have experienced the habitat.
4. Children, parents, and teachers will become familiar with their local environment, and discover their place in it.
Teacher Resources
Each chapter contains a list of resources for teachers. The first section is a list of field guides. There are several field guides for every theme. The guides included on the list are the most easy to use, even for the non-scientist. Field guides can help you learn more about the animals in each habitat: what they look like, where they live, what they eat, and many other natural history information. It is not necessary for you to identify every animal and plant that you find, but the guides can be helpful in finding out more about the plants and animals of each unit. Field guides are available at libraries and book stores.
The next section is curriculum and reference books with additional activities to use as needed. The number of activities you will use depends upon how many you plan every day, and how many days you will be doing each theme. These books are available at science museums, nature centers, and teacher’s book sources.
The nature magazines are multipurpose. Display them in the reading corner or science center, read short stories and poems to the children at circle or story time, use the photographs for bulletin boards, art activities, or making big books. Ask parents or libraries to save them for you. You can never have too many nature magazines.
The catalogs listed at the end of each section are useful for almost any science theme. You can order anything from caterpillars to tadpoles, as well as science books and miniature habitat equipment.
The Habitat Chart
Each unit has a chart of the common plants and animals you can include in the theme. Every habitat has a unique set of inhabitants. They are listed in groups on the charts. The charts are accurate, but not complicated. Common names have been used whenever possible. You can add plants and animals unique to your area. Use the charts to help you decide which plants and animals to include in your unit.
Consider the following questions:
1. What plants and animals can the children actually see and experience?
2. What animals will the children be most interested in?
3. What are YOU most interested in?
4. How can you integrate each one into your planning?
The number of plants and animals you include will also be influenced by the amount of time you are going to spend on the unit. A unit can run from a week to one month.
Miniature Habitats
One of the most exciting ways to learn about nature is bring a little piece of it into your classroom for a while. This is not as difficult or complicated as you might think. Aquariums, terrariums, and other miniature habitats are easy to assemble and maintain. They give children the opportunity to observe a small group of animals in a somewhat natural setting. Children become less afraid of animals they are able to experience up close.
People often have empty glass tanks to donate or lend to your center. It is helpful to have more than one tank so you can have overlapping habitats.
There are several books available about caring for animals in small habitats. DO NOT attempt to keep animals in your room unless you have this information. You must know what they need for food, water, light, temperature, and cover. These animals are not pets and should not be handled excessively. They should always be returned to the place where you found them when you dismantle the tank. An animal can stay for a day, a week, or longer, as long as you can take care of it. Take only common species. Never take a delicate or endangered plant or animal. If you are not sure, don’t take it.
Creative Art
The creative art activities in each unit include a variety of media: painting, collage, stencils, stamps, etc. Children should be allowed to be creative and each child’s work unique. There are suggestions for group murals to decorate the classroom, as well as individual activities. Add more arts and crafts projects from other sources as time allows. Refer to the introduction of each chapter for a list of topics that relate to the themes. For example, if you are doing the FIELD LIFE unit, you can add a ladybug or a caterpillar project. The complexity of the activities should take into account the ages of the children in your classroom.
Language Arts
Language arts activities enable you to expand the use of oral and written language in your classroom. Words, poems, and stories are used in the context of children’s experiences.
Written language can be included in virtually every area of the classroom, as signs, labels, charts, and books placed in dramatic play, blocks, the science center, etc.
Record children’s stories and observations after a field walk. Print short nature poems in large letters on poster paper and place around the room. Add pictures of animals to clue children in on the words in the poem. Children can use animals to sing and tell stories.
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