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It's such a shame that children (and adults) are lacking in even the most basic knowledge of the natural world. So here's a thread of how objects from the natural world could be used in class. One a day (until I get bored). Feel free to add your own!
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1) Beech nuts, counting and arrays. Kindly demonstrated with the help of my 5 year old.
The beech tree is one of our most common. Should find these in most mixed woodlands and parks.
The beech tree is one of our most common. Should find these in most mixed woodlands and parks.
2) Clover, counting in 3s and number pattern.
Clover is related to the pea (it's a legume). It improves soil by adding (fixing) nitrogen. And the flowers are great for 🐝. A real super plant!
Clover is related to the pea (it's a legume). It improves soil by adding (fixing) nitrogen. And the flowers are great for 🐝. A real super plant!
3) Leaf ID, area and estimation.
Leaves are easy to draw around if they're in a plastic wallet. Squared paper let's children estimate the surface area.
This is a Norway maple leaf. It and the sycamore are non native. The field maple is native. All have 'helicopter' winged seeds
Leaves are easy to draw around if they're in a plastic wallet. Squared paper let's children estimate the surface area.
This is a Norway maple leaf. It and the sycamore are non native. The field maple is native. All have 'helicopter' winged seeds
4) Insects, crustaceans and problem solving.
Take the classic math problem and give it a twist. We turn over a log and count 52 legs. How many woodlice and earwigs might there be? Is there more than one possible solution?
Earwigs are insects but woodlice are crustaceans.
Take the classic math problem and give it a twist. We turn over a log and count 52 legs. How many woodlice and earwigs might there be? Is there more than one possible solution?
Earwigs are insects but woodlice are crustaceans.
5) Trees, measurement, division and rounding.
Children find the age of trees by measuring the trees girth (cm). Dividing by 2 or 3 will give you an approx. answer (Or be more accurate using the table.) Round to nearest whole number to get the age.
Yew can reach 5000 years old!
Children find the age of trees by measuring the trees girth (cm). Dividing by 2 or 3 will give you an approx. answer (Or be more accurate using the table.) Round to nearest whole number to get the age.
Yew can reach 5000 years old!
6) Symmetry, and body types
Most animals have (approximate) symmetry. There are 2 main body types - Radial and bilateral. Many plants also have some symmetry. Explore this using mirrors, drawing and observation.
The 🐌 is an good of an animal with some asymmetric features.
Most animals have (approximate) symmetry. There are 2 main body types - Radial and bilateral. Many plants also have some symmetry. Explore this using mirrors, drawing and observation.
The 🐌 is an good of an animal with some asymmetric features.
7) Quadrats, quadrilaterals, area and perimeter.
Using a 4m loop of string and 4 tent pegs, how many different 1m² quadrilaterals can be made?
Quadrats are small areas of randomly selected habitat, and are used to help study animals and plants. What's on your playing field?
Using a 4m loop of string and 4 tent pegs, how many different 1m² quadrilaterals can be made?
Quadrats are small areas of randomly selected habitat, and are used to help study animals and plants. What's on your playing field?
8) Fine motor, weight and %.
Cutting grass is great for fine motor control. It can be weighed. Dry it and discover what % is water.
Some geese graze grass and are sometimes called a keystone species; their grazing creates the habitat. A goose can eat over 1kg of grass a day!
Cutting grass is great for fine motor control. It can be weighed. Dry it and discover what % is water.
Some geese graze grass and are sometimes called a keystone species; their grazing creates the habitat. A goose can eat over 1kg of grass a day!
9) Negative numbers and plant roots.
When introducing negative numbers, depth is a really important concept. Studying roots provides a really nice way of giving this context.
Most trees in the UK actually have most of their roots in the top 60cm of soil.
When introducing negative numbers, depth is a really important concept. Studying roots provides a really nice way of giving this context.
Most trees in the UK actually have most of their roots in the top 60cm of soil.
10) Natural objects and repeating patterns.
This can be as simple or a complex as you want it. Children asked to use the correct names for objects, are learning about maths AND the natural world.
Horse chestnut is a non- native species. Introduced from the Balklan peninsula.
This can be as simple or a complex as you want it. Children asked to use the correct names for objects, are learning about maths AND the natural world.
Horse chestnut is a non- native species. Introduced from the Balklan peninsula.
11) Trees, shrubs and shape.
Rather than using straws, use sticks and twigs cut to equal length. Letting the children remove the leaves and prepare the resources adds another demension to the lesson. The sticks can be reused.
I used a variety of Salix (Willow).
Rather than using straws, use sticks and twigs cut to equal length. Letting the children remove the leaves and prepare the resources adds another demension to the lesson. The sticks can be reused.
I used a variety of Salix (Willow).
12) Trees, shrubs and place value.
There are hundreds of ways to represent numbers. Using bundles of sticks collected on a nature walk is just one more useful method!
A tree is a woody plant that regularly exceeds 6m. Smaller species are referred to as shrubs.
There are hundreds of ways to represent numbers. Using bundles of sticks collected on a nature walk is just one more useful method!
A tree is a woody plant that regularly exceeds 6m. Smaller species are referred to as shrubs.
13) Butterflies and data handling.
Step outside the classroom and data handling opertunities surround us! Count birds, insects under a rock or butterflies.
This small tortoiseshell is one of our most beautiful garden visitors It's caterpillar feeds on nettles.
Step outside the classroom and data handling opertunities surround us! Count birds, insects under a rock or butterflies.
This small tortoiseshell is one of our most beautiful garden visitors It's caterpillar feeds on nettles.
14) Woodland leaves, objects, shape and investigation.
Inspired by the wonderful @RFJamesUK.
Using pegs and loops of string children can explore regular and irregular shapes.
We used garden cuttings, but in autumn identify and use fallen leaves.
Inspired by the wonderful @RFJamesUK.
Using pegs and loops of string children can explore regular and irregular shapes.
We used garden cuttings, but in autumn identify and use fallen leaves.
