No Child Left Inside (NCLI) Lesson Plan

24 October 2014
Subject: Science

Lesson Title: We are Going on A Nature Walk (Grade K)

Big Ideas:
Nature changes season to season in Michigan
Noticing the differences in trees, leaves, grass, etc. that fall brings.
Changes in temperature.

Goals/Objectives:
Content Objectives: Students will be able to identify the changes in nature from summer
to fall. They will be able to discuss the differences that they see on our nature walk and
talk about the difference in temperature.

Grade Level Content Expectations (GLCEs):
E.ES.01.21 Compare daily changes in the weather related to temperature (cold, hot, warm, cool);
cloud cover (cloudy, partly cloudy, foggy); precipitation (rain, snow, hail, freezing rain); wind
(breezy, windy, calm).
E.ES.01.22 Describe and compare weather related to the four seasons in terms of temperature,
cloud cover, precipitation, and wind.

ISTE-T Standards:
A. Apply technology in assessing student learning of subject matter using a variety of
assessment techniques.
B. Use technology resources to collect and analyze data, interpret results, and communicate
findings to improve instructional practice and maximize student learning.

Materials:
-A collection Bag
-A computer and projector for reflection time
-A projector
-Construction Paper
-Glue

Time and Activity Content What the Instructor will be doing
Introduction (5-7 Minutes)
Discuss with the students what they
remember from the last nature walk.
Have the students say what they think might
be different outside and why they think that
might be.
-Ask questions such as:
Was it warm, hot, or cold?
Were there any leaves on the ground?
Activity 1
(20 Minutes)
-Have the students line up.
-Go outside in a line to the nature walk area
(wooded area, place with trees)
-Tell the students that they are allowed to pick
up three interesting things
-Ask the students to make observations.
-As they pick up their interesting things ask
the students why they chose that thing (such
as a leaf)
-Ask the students what they have noticed is
different.
-Do they know why things look different?
Transition (1 minute)
Gather around toward the end of the nature
walk and have the students share one thing
that they collected that they thought was
interesting and why they collected it.
-Make sure each student is paying attention to
the others description. Direct conversation.
Activity 2
(10 Minutes)
-Once back inside provide each student with a
piece of construction paper and glue
-Have the students glue down their interesting
things onto their paper.
-Have them title their work Fall or Autumn

-Walk around to make sure the students
understand the directions.
Transition
(1 minute)
-As students complete their Interesting Things
picture discuss with them why it feels colder
outside and why the leaves are beginning to
change.
(Winter is coming, Earth is starting to tilt
further away from the sun making it feel
colder in Michigan, etc.)
Activity 3 (Closing)
(10 minutes)
-Use PowerPoint slides to show the different
images of fall. Show in comparison to
summer. (optional: take photos on summer
nature walk and on fall nature walk to
compare).
-Ask the students what they know about why
the leaves change.
-Ask the students why they think it is colder
outside.
-Ask the students what their favorite part of
fall is.


Safety Plan for Outdoor Activity:
We will be touring the wooded area directly behind the school (about a 30 second walk to the
school). I will inform both the Principal and another nearby teacher that we will only be gone for
approximately 20-25 minutes and to make sure we make it back safely. I will have my cell phone
with me as well as the first aid kit in case something was to happen. If there were to be any
reason we needed to evacuate the woods and/or school, there are tennis courts directly behind the
woods and I would walk with the students to this area.

*This activity is handicap accessible. The woods have a very flat mobile path that we will be
able to use.