Science+-+Un-nature+Walk+-+K-3


 * Lesson Plan Title:** Un-nature Walk


 * Grade(s) Suggested:** 1st-3rd


 * Content Areas:** Science

Identify how human actions affect environmental health. Identify environmental variables that affect plant growth**.** Recognize change in natural and physical systems Identify products that come from nature Identify litter and its effect on the environment Identify and categorize living and non-living things
 * Standards Addressed:**


 * General Objectives:**

Students will have a basic understanding of each standard that this lesson addresses.

20 minute set-up time 30 minutes for activity Various materials not commonly found as part of nature, but resources used to make the object are natural. Examples include: Broom, paper clips, yarn, chair, blanket, books, etc.
 * Time Required:**
 * Required Materials:**


 * Procedure:**

Set up a nature walk in a wooded or natural area (the Trail of Life would be great). Using 10 “man-made” objects, hide them along the short trail. Hang a broom from a tree branch, stick 10 paperclips halfway into the ground, put a pen in a tree fork, spread a blanket over a grassy area, etc. Explain to the students that they will be walking along the trail without talking and they are to look around remembering anything they see that “does not belong”.


 * Closure:**

When you have all walked along the trail (without talking or pointing) sit in a circle and ask who saw things that didn’t belong. See if anyone noticed all 10 objects. See if, among the whole class, all 10 objects were spotted. Do the walk again this time pointing out each object. Talk about how it may be easier or harder to identify the objects in the different seasons because of the colour change. Retrieve the items as you go around this time and discuss the reason for not just leaving the items on the trail. Discuss the fact that the object parts originally came from nature, but now they no longer belong there. (Paper from trees, yarn from sheep, etc.) What negative effects could those items have on the local wildlife or plants? (The blanket would prevent the grass from getting sunlight, an animal may try to eat the paperclips, etc.) Ask the students if the trail looks better or worse without the man-made objects in place.


 * Assessment Based On Objectives: **

Students' learning will be judged through teacher observation during the circle discussion and second walk-through.