Date: October 11, 1999

Grade Level(s): 6, 7, 8

Subject(s):

• Interdisciplinary
• Science
• Social Studies

Description: Students visit selected natural environment sites and observe the flora & fauna of the area. Data is collected on film and video tape -- to be analyzed and incorporated into students' audiovisual presentations.

Goals: Students will:

1) identify types of flora & fauna that exist at selected natural environment sites
2) identify natural processes associated with flora & fauna at the selected sites
3) appreciate the contribution that quality natural environments make to the overall quality of the lifespace.

Objectives: Students will:

1) study flora types at selected sites
2) study fauna types at selected sites
3) collect data to be analyzed back in the classroom/science lab
4) experience the 'surroundings' of the selected sites through all the senses
5) create audiovisual reports
6) apply acquired map reading and compass reading skills at selected sites

Materials:

• Day trip backpacking equipment
• still photography/8mm cameras and video tape equipment
• audio tape recorders
• community resource people as guest speakers and site guides
• sketch pads/pencils
• maps
• compasses

Middle grades social studies and science teachers will design a series of field-based experiences -- taking students to selected natural environment sites.

At the sites, students will:
1) backpack to selected areas -- to observe flora and fauna
2) experience their surroundings through the senses
3) collect data on film or video tape
4) record the sounds of the site using audio tape recorders
5) pose questions of site guides
6) analyze recorded data back in the classroom/lab
7) discuss their experiences
8) create bulletin board displays -- exhibiting sketches and maps drawn at the site and photographs taken
9) create audiovisual reports. Reports will be incorporated into school-wide 'open house' fairs and exhibits.

Assessment:

As a result of their field-based and classroom/lab experiences, students will demonstrate their ability to:

1) collect data at field-based sites
2) draw maps of the sites visited
3) discuss the experiences
4) work in small groups to analyze data
5) create bulletin board displays
6) write short essays
7) create audiovisual reports
8) use maps and compasses to 'navigate' the selected sites
9) write or e-mail a friend -- telling him/her about the site experiences.