What’s Wild?

Explore the difference between wild and domesticated animals. Animals that are wild are called wildlife. Wild animals are animals that take care of themselves without depending on people. They get their food, water and everything they need to survive on their own from the environment. Domestic animals rely on people to provide food, water and shelter for them. Domestication is a process that takes place over a long period of time and involves selectively breeding animals for the traits that we want.

The difference between wild and domestic animals may be confusing for children at times. For example, animals that live in zoos are wild animals but their needs are provided for by people. These animals are a special example of those animals and are not how most of the animals of that species live. Encourage children to think about how most animals of the same species live. Another example is dogs and cats that have been abandoned and are left to care for themselves. They are still domesticated animals; they are just no longer under the care of a person and are no longer tame.

Neighborhood Animal Walk

Start by asking children what comes to mind when they hear the words “wild animal”?  What are some wild animals that they have seen or know about? Can they think of any animals that are not wild? What is the difference? Do any of them have pets or know someone who has a pet?

Take children on a walk through the neighborhood around the school.  Watch for animals. When you see animals ask the children: Is that a wild animal or a not wild (domesticated) animal? Why do they think so? What is the animal doing? Keep a record of the animals that you see. Record the children’s observations.

Classroom (or outdoor space)
Read aloud to the children the two “A Day in the Life” stories on page 73 of Growing Up WILD book. Have children act out the stories or use a felt board or other visual to make the stories come to life. Discuss the differences in the two animals’ lives. Ask: How does the dog get what it needs? How does the squirrel get what it needs? Which of the animals is the wild animal? What is the difference?

Provide an assortment of plastic and/or plush animals for children.  As a class. sort them into baskets according to whether children think they are wild or domesticated. Some animals may fit into either basket (mice, rabbits) so you may need a third basket for animals that can be either.

Provide the felt board and sorting animals for the children during center time to explore and play with. Listen to the stories they make up with the felt board.

If you have a classroom pet allow children to take part in the care of the pet. If they cannot directly take part in the care of the animal they could help the teacher remember, gather supplies, or take turns observing the pet for the day.

Note: This blog will discontinue in late September. Sign up for the KinderNature Early Childhood email list to continue to receive activities and ideas like these.
   

Celebrate the Monarch's Journey at Blank Park Zoo Festival

Come celebrate the monarch's journey from Canada, through Iowa, to Mexico at the 2016 Monarch Festival on Sunday, September 18 from 12-4 p.m. at the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines.

Monarch Festival Activities

• Come dressed as your favorite insect for the 3rd Annual Children's Bug Parade. Wear your wings, your orange and black, antennae or make your costume at the zoo. There will be special prizes for First and Second place Best Costumes.
• Polk County Conservation will lead Insect Hunts and a Monarch Tagging event. Learn how to safely catch monarch butterflies to attach a tag. If these special monarchs are found in Mexico, they can help scientists track the migration.
• Numerous Plant.Grow.Fly partners will offer hands-on activities, demonstrations and crafts for the whole family.
• Los Ninos del Pepeyac - Danza Folklorica, a group dedicated to learning and teaching about the Mexican culture through dance, will perform.
• Explore our Butterfly Garden and experience traditional Mexican music by Mariachi Azteca.
• Families and kids of all ages are encouraged to take part in an interactive performance workshop called Follow That Monarch by Carol Taylor's Patchwork Puppets.
• Create your own butterfly oasis in your yard with free milkweed seeds provided by the Blank Park Zoo and Neal Smith Wildlife Refuge (limited supply).
• Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie and Nevada Mayor Lynn Lathrop will be recognized for signing the Mayors for Monarchs Pledge.

Growing Up WILD Early Childhood Training

This workshop leads you out the door and provides hands on activities and resource materials to help you lead your own nature explorations. Growing Up WILD activities use age appropriate practices and concepts to build on children’s sense of wonder and invites them to explore nature and the world around them. Specially written for children 3-7, activities include sections to address many learning areas: math, science, language, literacy, health living, play, and creativity.

Growing Up WILD received the 2009 Family Choice Award and the 2011 Renewable Natural Resource Foundation Excellence in Journalism Award.

October 8, 2016
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Sidney Cowboy Elementary Café (1002 Illinois Street, Sidney)

Registration: Iowa Child Care Providers Training Registry - Click on Search Trainings, then search Reconnecting in the Title. Your enrollment will be complete when payment is made. The fees for service will be used to off-set direct expenses and to support Humans Sciences County Extension Program.

Registration Deadline: October 3, 2016
Cost: $15 (includes lunch, activity materials and 128-page guide)

Dress casually and appropriately for outdoor activities.

For more information, contact Linda Marshall at 712-374-2351 or lyndam@iastate.edu.

Explore the Fascinating World of Ants

There are more than 12,000 species of ants in the world. They live on almost every landmass on Earth except Antarctica and a few small islands. Ants live in complex social groups called colonies. They have a four stage life cycle consisting of egg, larva, pupa and adult. Ants communicate with chemical signals called pheromones. They use pheromones to lead other ants to food they find and find their way back to the colony after they are out looking for food.

Tell children they are going to be scientists and study ants! Start by asking children: Have you ever seen an ant? What did it look like? How did you know it was an ant? Where was it? What was it doing? Record children’s observations.

Have a collection of various food items prepared (bread, fruit, meat, grass, cheese, etc…). Explain to children that you are going to do an experiment to see which food items ants prefer. Divide paper plates into fourths with a marker. Allow children to choose four food items they think the ants will prefer. Ask them: What food items do you think the ants will most like to eat? Why do you think so?

Take children outside and go on an ant “hunt”. When you find ants or an anthill, place the plate(s) nearby and then sit back and observe. It may take a few minutes for the ants to find the food. Encourage the children to make observations about the ants while you wait. What do they look like? How do they move? How many ants are there?  Count the ants as they visit the food areas. Record the number and the food item. This is your data scientists! When you return to the classroom graph your results and discuss what you learned as a class.

To further the activity, create or purchase an ant farm for your classroom. Keep an ant journal and check on the ants and their activity daily.

For this and other great ideas, use Growing Up WILD’s “Ants on Parade”!

Helpful Links

Guide to Common Ants in Iowa

Ant Life Cycle Sequencing Cards

Note: This blog will discontinue in late September. Sign up for the KinderNature Early Childhood email list to continue to receive activities and ideas like these.

 

 

 

 

Growing Up WILD Early Childhood Training - October 8

This workshop leads you out the door and provides hands on activities and resource materials to help you lead your own nature explorations. Growing Up WILD activities use age appropriate practices and concepts to build on children’s sense of wonder and invites them to explore nature and the world around them. Specially written for children 3-7, activities include sections to address many learning areas: math, science, language, literacy, health living, play, and creativity.

Growing Up WILD received the 2009 Family Choice Award and the 2011 Renewable Natural Resource Foundation Excellence in Journalism Award.

October 8, 2016
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Dallas County Extension (28059 Fairground Road, Adel)
Registration: Iowa Child Care Providers Training Registry - Click on Search Trainings, then search Reconnecting in the Title. Your enrollment will be complete when payment is made. The fees for service will be used to off-set direct expenses and to support Humans Sciences County Extension Program.
Registration Deadline: October 1, 2016
Cost: $10 (includes lunch, activity materials and 128-page guide)
Dress casually and appropriately for outdoor activities.

For more information, contact Myra Willms at 515-993-4281 or mwillms@iastate.edu.

Join the Iowa DNR at the 2016 Iowa State Fair

Stop by the Iowa DNR building to see the Iowa fish in the historic aquarium, have your questions answered, and take in a presentation in the beautiful courtyard.

Check out these presentations (the whole courtyard schedule is available at iowadnr.gov/IowaStateFair):

Thursday, August 11
Get Active, Get Healthy, Get Outdoors!
We’re kicking off our the fair at the DNR Building with a Q&A session with DNR Director Chuck Gipp in the morning, followed by several other events throughout the day. In the afternoon, bring the kids to the DNR courtyard to craft tools for your aspiring nature detectives.

Friday, August 12
Bring Nature to your Backyard
What’s all the buzz about pollinators? Join us on Friday to find out. Whether you’re listening to State Forester Paul Tauke field questions, or making seed bombs to attract pollinators to your backyard, be prepared to learn about Iowa’s little wonders.

Saturday, August 13
Come Fish with Us
Fishing Day in the courtyard begins with a question and answer session with Fisheries Bureau Chief Joe Larscheid, followed by an instructional presentation for kids who want to learn to fish. In the afternoon, you can get the scoop on primitive fish or get a close up look at real Iowa turtles.

Sunday, August 14
Wild in Iowa|With appearances from live trumpeter swans and Iowa’s reptiles and amphibians, Sunday will be a wild day in the courtyard. At noon, join us for an activity teaching kids the best and safest ways to bring wildlife to your backyard.

Monday, August 15
Taking to the Field
Monday is the day of the hunt. Come by the courtyard to pick up information and expertise on a variety of hunting topics. Whether you’re training a new hunting dog, looking for the perfect hunting spot, or hoping to cook wild game of your own, find what you’re looking for here on Monday.

Tuesday, August 16
Iowa’s Habitat Heroes
We have a responsibility to respect and protect our natural habitats. Visit the DNR building for information on the newest and brightest ways of looking after Iowa’s natural wonders.  Celebrate Iowa’s tradition of responsibly managing our resources and hear about the next steps we can take as community to continue this cause.

Wednesday, August 17
Conservation Leaders Past and Present
With a highlight on the Civilian Conservation Corps, Wednesday will honor the accomplishments of Iowa’s great conservationists. At noon, enjoy the presentation of Eagle Scout projects in our courtyard, followed by a presentation on Ding Darling, famed Iowa cartoonist and conservation leader.

Thursday, August 18
Spend S’more Time in State Parks
Pick up some tips and tricks to getting the most from your local state park all day. Starting off with a Q&A from State Park Chief Todd Coffelt, Thursday is for everyone from State Park enthusiasts to future visitors. Don’t miss a dialogue about natural ways of warding off pesky mosquitoes at 1 p.m.

Friday, August 19
Come Fish with Us
The art of fishing is as intricate it is enticing, so come by on Friday for a second helping of fishing guidance and encouragement. Fisheries Bureau Chief Joe Larscheid returns for another discussion in the morning, and be sure to check out the live turtles native to Iowa in the afternoon. Kids are encouraged to join us at 11 a.m. for more fishing basics.

Saturday, August 20
ReusaPalooza!
Junk becomes art! In the morning, take part in a Q&A with Land Quality Bureau Chief Alex Moon. Give old stuff a breath of new life with crafty activities that upcycle junk to treasure for both kids and adults all day until 4 in the DNR courtyard.


Sunday, August 21
EXTREME Outdoors
Our final day will consist of educating the public on the extreme outdoors. Come by at noon to begin your quest to become a citizen scientist for Iowa’s resources. Join us anytime between 11-3 to take part in the adventure of building beautiful birdhouses.

Explore the Wonderful World of Worms

Take children outside to look for worms. Bring small shovels or old spoons and allow the children to help dig.  A great time to look for worms is after a rainfall. Ask them where they think worms might live. Dig there. Try several places.  Questions to ask: Do you think worms prefer wet or dry soil? Why? Do you think they prefer shade or sun? Why? How deep in the soil do you think worms live?

Carefully fill a clear plastic jar with 3 wide layers of soil alternated with 2 think layers of sand (soil, sand, soil, sand, soil). Spray each layer with a mist of water. Place a few worms in the jar. Cover with a layer of dead leaves. Remember, earthworms live in the dark underground so cover the jar with a dark cloth to make them feel at home. Set the jar where it will not be too warm, too cold, or disturbed. Check them after a few hours and each day. What happened to the neat layers of soil and sand? Return your guests to where you found them.

Try these fun ideas from the KinderNature website to continue your exploration of worms.

Spaghetti-Splash Worms

Mix 2-3 packages of cooked spaghetti, 1/3 cup of vegetable oil and food coloring (optional) in a child’s wading pool. Children may want to play with the spaghetti with their hands, sit on it, or (as we tried) use a small slide to get right into the middle of it. Try other things like gelatin which is also a hit.

Worm Tracks

Dip string/yarn into paints and drag across construction paper.

Worm Collage

Make a Worm Collage with cooked whole wheat spaghetti. Give each child a paper plate. Ask them to arrange the noodles any way they wish. Tell them they are worms. The starch in the noodles will help the noodles stick to the plates when dry.


Note: This blog will discontinue in late September. Sign up for the KinderNature Early Childhood email list to continue to receive activities and ideas like these.

Goin’ on a Fishin’ Trip

Explore the wonderful world of fish as a class.  Set up an aquarium or fish bowl so children can watch how fish move, eat and breathe. Look at pictures of different fish, read books about fish and if possible visit a local fish hatchery, pet store or aquarium. Make a stuffed fish from paper and let the students paint their fish.

Take children on a fishing trip to a local lake or pond. Check out these simple tips for taking kids fishing to ensure a safe and fun experience for everyone. If possible have a fish fry with fish they caught (have back-up store bought or previously caught fish).  Allow children to taste the fish they caught.  

Fishing Permit
People over the age of 16 need a license to fish. Invite students to create their own fishing license using index cards, crayons, and other materials they choose.

One Fish, Two Fish

Designate 2 students as ducks. The remaining students are fish. Fish are scattered throughout the pond. When the music begins the fish “swim” around the pond. The ducks waddle around trying to tag the fish. If a fish is tagged he/she becomes a duck and tries to tag the fish. When the music stops all fish must freeze. The ducks continue to waddle around trying to tag the frozen fish. If a frozen fish moves while the music is stopped, he/she becomes a duck. When the music starts again, fish begin to swim. Continue until 2 fish remain. You can repeat the game with the last 2 fish becoming the new ducks.

Gyotaku – Japanese Fish Printing

Materials: real head, fins, scales and tail-on fish or rubber fish replica, paint, paper or fabric, paintbrushes

Instructions: Paint a thin layer of paint onto fish or replica, gently lay fabric or paper over the fish, pat to get full shape, remove paper or fabric.  Allow to dry.  Enjoy your very own Gyotaku fish print!

Growing Up WILD Early Childhood Training - July 16

This workshop leads you out the door and provides hands on activities and resource materials to help you lead your own nature explorations. Growing Up WILD activities use age appropriate practices and concepts to build on children’s sense of wonder and invites them to explore nature and the world around them. Specially written for children 3-7, activities include sections to address many learning areas: math, science, language, literacy, health living, play, and creativity.

Growing Up WILD received the 2009 Family Choice Award and the 2011 Renewable Natural Resource Foundation Excellence in Journalism Award.

July 16, 2016
8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Wildhaven Ranger Campus (910 South Smith Street, Algona)
Registration: Contact Mackenzie Johnson, ISU Extension, johnson7@iastate.edu, 712-240-0471
Cost: $30

Celebrate International Mud Day - June 29

Get muddy and have fun with these Mudluscious ideas from KinderNature.org.

Magic Mud
Put a scoop of cornstarch in a bowl. Add just enough water so you or your tot can stir. Press down on it. What happens? Pick some up in your hand and hold your hand still. Now what happens? Skills developed: Observation skills, sense of touch, and language.

Paint with Mud

Use paint brushes, paper, and mud to paint pictures. Use different types of soil, using muffin tins for each type. Notice the different textures, colors and smells. Skills developed: Creative, language, sense of sight, and touch.

Sand Shakes

Fill a clear plastic jar with water and sand. Shake. Observe. What happens? Leave it sitting for a while and observe. What happened? Shake again. What happens? Skills developed: Thinking, language, observation skills, and gross motor.

Clean Mud

Tear up pieces of brown paper towels (or toilet paper) and put in a large plastic container. Add shavings of Ivory soap and water until desired consistency. Mix, squish, and squeeze. Make patties, pancakes, and pies! Skills developed: Creative, motor skills, sense of sight, and touch.

Explore the Fascinating World of Grasshoppers

Take children outside to a grassy area to look for and observe grasshoppers. Have children bring their own notebooks or field/nature journals to draw pictures or make notes in.  Remind children to be respectful of the grasshoppers. Survey which plants they grasshoppers are eating. Find out where they hide.

 

Create a terrarium together that will house several grasshoppers for a week. Use soil and grass (return to field study area to collect or collect while out observing grasshoppers).  Include places for the grasshoppers to climb and hide. Providing water is not necessary because grasshoppers do not drink water, they get enough water from the food they eat.  Be sure to provide fresh grass or leafy plants, as well as dry food such as grass seed or oatmeal, every day for the grasshoppers to eat. Let the children be active participants in setting up the terrarium. Tips for terrarium preparation and care are available on the Growing Up WILD website.

 

Once your terrarium is set up, return to your grasshopper field study location and carefully capture and collect four to six grasshoppers using insect nets and bug jars. Place the grasshoppers in the terrarium.

 

Over the course of a week give children time every day to observe and monitor the grasshoppers. Ask:  What do you want to learn about grasshoppers? How can you find out the answers to your questions? For younger children you may want to have a set observation for each day.  For example, Day One: observe the grasshopper’s bodies. What do you notice? Count the legs and antennae. How can you tell the grasshoppers have wings? Describe their eyes Day Two: observe the movement of the grasshoppers. Describe how the grasshoppers walk. How do they jump? Are they fast? Do they jump high/far?

 

At the end of the week when the study is over, return the grasshoppers to the location where you collected them.  Use the information you gathered as a class to create your own book about grasshoppers.

Trees For Kids Grant Available For Fall

Trees For Kids grant applications are now available for the fall 2016 grant cycle. The Trees For Kids grant program is designed to provide hands-on educational opportunities for Iowa youth by planting trees on school grounds and other public places. 

Iowa DNR forestry staff are currently setting up site visits with schools and communities interested in applying for the grant, which pays up to $5,000 in tree and mulch cost, and provides educational tree planting demonstrations to participating adults and youth.

This past spring, 20 schools and/or communities received more than $62,000 in Trees For Kids grants to plant more than 900 trees around the state.  Over the life of these trees, they will save more than 310,000 kilowatt hours of electricity by shading buildings and more than 68,000 therms, by slowing winds and reducing building heat loss.   

During their lifespan, the 900 trees planted this spring will help reduce flooding by intercepting more than 39.8 million gallons of storm water, and will reduce more than 5.3 million pounds of atmospheric carbon dioxide through CO2 sequestration and decreased energy production needs and emissions. 

Trees planted around schools and in neighborhoods have also shown to give youth increased levels of concentration, lower levels of aggression, lower levels of obesity and fewer symptoms of ADHD.  Communities are made more livable by having a healthy, diverse tree canopy. 

To download the grant application, go to:  http://www.iowadnr.gov/Environment/Forestry/UrbanForestry.aspx

For more information, contact Laura Wagner, Iowa Department of Natural Resources Forestry Bureau, at 515-725-8456.

Reconnecting Children with Nature: Growing Up WILD Early Childhood Training

This workshop leads you out the door and provides hands on activities and resource materials to help you lead your own nature explorations. Addresses CDA Content Area 2—Steps to advance children’s physical and intellectual development.
Growing Up WILD activities use age appropriate practices and concepts to build on children’s sense of wonder and invites them to explore nature and the world around them. Specially written for children 3-7, activities include sections to address many learning areas: math, science, language, literacy, health living, play, and creativity.

Growing Up WILD received the 2009 Family Choice Award and the 2011 Renewable Natural Resource Foundation Excellence in Journalism Award.

July 5, 2016

8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Marnie Simons Elementary (309 South Street, Hamburg)

Registration: Call the Fremont County Extension Office at 712-374-2351.

Cost: $15; Send registration fee by Wednesday, June 29 to: Fremont County Extension, 610 Clay Street, Box 420, Sidney, IA 51652

 

July 17, 2016

8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Annett Nature Center (15565 118^th Ave., Indianola)

Cost: $30 (Training fee and snack supplies covered by Warren CCB)

Registration: Contact Karen Johlas-Szalkowski, Warren County Conservation Board - karenjohlas-szalkowski@warrenccb.org, (515) 961-6169 Ext 206

 

Iowa Students Recognized for Iowa State-Fish Drawings

Grades K-3 Winner

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources partnered with the Wildlife Forever® State-Fish Art® Contest to host an Iowa State-Fish Art Contest.

The State-Fish Art Contest uses art to ignite children’s imagination while teaching them about fish and fishing. Entries showcased students’ favorite Iowa fish in its natural habitat. All entries were original hand-done artwork. Winners were selected based on creative expression, originality, visual appeal, and artistic merit. 

Individual winners:

Grades K-3

1^st Place – Anne S., Homeschool

2^nd Place – Madalyn S., St Mary & Mathias Catholic School

3^rd Place – Katarina W., Benton Community Schools

                 

Grades 4-6

1^st Place – Henri G., St Mary & Mathias Catholic School

2^nd Place – Heidi E., Allamakee Community Schools

3^rd Place – Elly V., West Marshall Community Schools

Grades 7-9

1^st Place – Carmen A., Benton Community Schools

2^nd Place – Clayton S., West Marshall Community Schools

3^rd Place – Jaiden H., West Marshall Community Schools

Grades 10-12

1^st Place – Gayeon C., Regina Catholic Education Center

Artists who placed first in their age group will be honored with the display of their artwork on the prestigious Wall of Fame during the Forrest L. Wood Cup bass world championship on August 5-7 in Huntsville, Alabama. Every participant will receive a Certificate of Recognition. 

Digital images of Iowa’s winning artwork are posted on the State Fish Art Contest website.

Reconnecting Children with Nature: Growing Up WILD Early Childhood Training

This workshop leads you out the door and provides hands on activities and resource materials to help you lead your own nature explorations. Growing Up WILD activities use age appropriate practices and concepts to build on children’s sense of wonder and invites them to explore nature and the world around them. Specially written for children 3-7, activities include sections to address many learning areas: math, science, language, literacy, health living, play, and creativity.

 

Growing Up WILD received the 2009 Family Choice Award and the 2011 Renewable Natural Resource Foundation Excellence in Journalism Award.

June 4 , 2016
9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Shelter House - Walden Campground (2303 450th St, Wallingford)
Registration:Contact Monique Ortiz, Mid-Sioux Opportunity - mortiz@midsioux.org,  712-786-3429

Cost: $35
Addresses CDA Content Area 2—Steps to advance children’s physical and intellectual development.

 

 

GreenSchools for Early Childhood

Project Learning Tree’s GreenSchools for Early Childhood program specifically is designed to teach young children about their environment and how they can make a difference, while developing their skills in language, mathematics, and science.

To access the materials, visit https://www.plt.org/green-schools-early-childhood and login or create an account (it’s free).

The Educator Guide offers ideas and activities for early childhood educators to green their centers while facilitating environmental experiences with their students through art, movement, sensory exploration, and time outdoors – all of which are inherently appealing to young children. You’ll learn about the benefits of becoming a PLT GreenSchool, how to engage parents at your center, ways to assess your students’ learning and how to celebrate your success. 

Five Investigations will involve your students in helping to green your center while developing their skills in language, mathematics, science, and more. Explore what individual and collective actions you and your students can take to improve the health, safety, and environmental quality of your school or early childhood center. You'll discover how reducing your school's environmental footprint is not only good for your health, your children’s health, and the health of the environment, but also can save your school money. 

• Energy: Investigate how much energy your center uses, the main sources of that energy and ways to implement energy-saving strategies.
• Environmental Quality: Investigate areas where improvements can be made in indoor and outdoor air quality, in your centers carbon dioxide and temperature levels, how cleaning products can impact your air quality and what practices need to be followed regarding the use of hazardous materials.
• School Site: Investigate natural habitats, wildlife, trees, grounds maintenance practices and ways to make improvements to your center’s site.
• Waste and Recycling: Investigate how much waste your center generates and where it goes, as well as recycling and composting efforts.
• Water: Investigate the source, cost, and quality of your school's water supply and ways to enhance current water conservation practices.

Each GreenSchools for Early Childhood investigation includes:

• Background information for educators and a checklist of supplies needed
• Early Childhood Engagement activities to involve your learners in the investigation
• Early Learner Worksheets
• Action project ideas, including a My Action Plan worksheet for children ages 4 to 8
• A Green Your Home handout to extend the learning and help families learn how they can improve their home environment.

PLT Seeks K-2 Teachers to Review New Science Unit

Project Learning Tree is seeking Kindergarten, Grade 1, and Grade 2 classroom teachers to review a new, online instructional unit for students at these grade levels. The K-2 unit, called Treemendous Science!, will invite students (and their teachers) to explore, experience, observe, and collect tree data to develop understandings about how trees grow, roles they play in ecological systems, and the ways in which trees and humans interact.

K-2 classroom teachers interested in reviewing PLT’s new Treemendous Science! unit this summer are invited to complete a brief application at http://pltpilot.org by May 31, 2016.

 

Accepted K-2 practitioners will be asked to review the draft Treemendous Science! unit for their specific grade level (Kindergarten, Grade 1, or Grade 2). You will be asked about certain common unit components (such as unit introduction, teacher background, learning centers, and green schools connections), as well as the customized age-level specific instructional content.

Selected practitioners will not be asked to field test any of the content, rather they will be asked to read, review, and respond to detailed questionnaires. Stipends are available for all accepted selected K-2 participants, based upon the successful completion of all project components. 

National PLT will confirm teacher participants in June, and the review period will last approximately 6-8 weeks immediately following (approximately July – August). Classroom teachers of Grades K-2 will be given priority.

Treemendous Science! is truly novel in its approach, as it was constructed around—rather than correlated to—targeted Performance Expectations within the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).

NGSS Performance Expectations
Created for kindergarten to second grade classrooms, Treemendous Science! is built around the following NGSS Performance Expectations:

• K-LS1-1 – From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes.  Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
• K-ESS2-1 – Earth’s Systems.  Use and share observations of local weather conditions to describe patterns over time. 
• 1-ESS-1-2 – Earth’s Place in the Universe. Make observations at different times of year to relate the amount of daylight to the time of year.
• 2-PS1-1 – Matter and its Interactions.  Plan and conduct an investigation to describe and classify different kinds of materials by their observable properties.
• 2-LS4-1 – Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity. Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.

 

 

Review

PLT Early Childhood Online Training

Project Learning Tree's (PLT) award-winning early childhood materials help you foster young children’s wonder and curiosity about the natural world as you safely take your young learners outdoors and bring nature into the classroom. 

PLT’s new online workshop consists of 5 self-paced online coursels (each a 20–30-minute learning experience) with simulations and videos that model PLT’s early childhood activities, along with accompanying planning worksheets that provide guidance and support for you to try out PLT activities with children in your context.

What’s Included
This professional development experience will teach you how to use PLT’s materials effectively in your own educational setting and how to access many additional resources.

The course includes:

• An electronic copy of PLT’s Environmental Experiences for Early Childhood activity guide and music.
• Access to a self-paced online workshop (approximately 3 hours). 

The Environmental Experiences for Early Childhood e-guide contains over 130 experiences that engage children ages 3 to 6 in outdoor exploration and play, and downloadable music files that encourage children to sing, dance, and move. A print version of the guide and music CD are available for an additional fee. Topics include exploring nature with five senses, meeting neighborhood trees, and experiencing trees through the seasons. 

The workshop can be completed during your own time, wherever you are, as long as you have internet access. It provides useful links to online resources, state-specific resources, and 5 coursels which are 20–30-minute self-paced learning experiences that make up the larger course. Exercises and worksheets will help you plan and facilitate group experiences with early learners, and design environmental experiences that maximize their use of 6 types of Learning Centers found in your Environmental Experiences for Early Childhood activity guide. 

Cost $30.00

Get wild with National Wildlife Week

Celebrate this wild week by learning about Iowa’s wildlife! Check out these cool Iowa wildlife facts, fun classroom activities and MORE.

Cool Things You Should Know about:

Bald Eagles
Bats in Iowa
Bobcats in Iowa
Coyotes
Crayfish
Foxes
Golden Eagles
Iowa's Turtles
Opossums
Otters
Raccoons
Snakes
Spiders

Crafts (from the KinderNature website)

Bat Finger Puppet
Bird Shapes
Buggy Antennas
Butterfly Puppet
Colorful Butterfly
Deer Ears
Pine Cone Owl
Snake Marionette
Spider Hats

Games (from the KinderNature website)

Bats Eat Bugs
Bee Games
Camo Frog
Catch a Butterfly
Owl I Spy
Sticky Spider Web Play

Lesson Plans

Ants on Parade
Fashion a Fish
First Impressions
Hiding in Plain Sight
Oh Deer
Spider Web Wonders
Tracks
What's Wild?
Wildlife is Everywhere
Wildlife as Symbols

Snacks (from the KinderNature website)
Ant Snacks
Bee Snacks
Butterfly Metamorphic Snack
Deer Snack
Fishing Snack
Insect Cookies
Nest Nibblers
Owl Snack
Peachy Spiders
Rabbit Pears
Snake Pretzels
Tasty Turtles
Yummy Caterpillars

Songs (from the KinderNature website)

A Little Turtle
Animals Underground
Bee Songs
Bird Songs
Bunny in the Woods
Froggie Grows Up
Grey Squirrel
Little Skunk Song
Monarch Metamorphosis
Snake Surprise
Turtle Songs
Woodpecker