|
Author: Jon Detka
Adapted from: Mapping the Schoolyard. Homes for Wildlife. Project HOME.
Marilyn C. Wyzga. New Hampshire Fish & Game Department
Overview
Students become familiar with the terrain, structures, plants and signs
of habitats around their schoolyard by drawing a sketch map. Students
can return to this map to organize spatial data regarding the location
of weeds and native plants.
Grade Level: 2-8
Focus: Life Science,
Investigation, Experimentation, and Mathematics
Objectives
1. Students will draw the major features of their schoolyard including:
terrain, structures, plants, and signs of habitats.
2. Students will use their maps to describe to each other what they
observed in their schoolyard.
Site: Outdoors
Time Format: 1 class
session
Materials
Paper
Markers
Pencils
Compass
Clipboards
Advanced Preparation
1. Gather necessary materials.
2. Walk schoolyard before lesson and scout for possible hazards.
3. Sketch your own map of the schoolyard.
Activity
1. Organize students in a
circle and explain that they are going to make sketch maps of the schoolyard.
Ask Students:
What are some of the things we should consider putting on our maps?
Teacher Help:
· Major plant areas: Trees, Lawn, Shrubs
· Terrain: Hills, Creeks, Ponds
· Structures: Buildings, Fences, Gates
Explain to students that
a map has a heading direction (North, South, East, West) normally noted
some where on it. Why would it be important to include this on the maps?
Ask the students to imagine
that they are flying over their schoolyard when they are making their
maps. This is called a 'map view'. Review safety with students and ask
them to identify some safety issues.
Example of Sketch Map:
2. Split the class into groups of two. Have students work together to
draw a map that represents all of the things outlined in step 1.
3. Give students 20-30 minutes
to work on this.
Wrap-Up
Have students share their maps with everyone.
Have them explain some of the major features or things they found as
they explored.
Do they notice anything about where certain plants are located?
Teacher Help:
· Willows next to the creek.
· Oak trees on the hill.
· Lawn around the buildings.
Do students have any questions about what is around their schoolyard?
Going Further
The class will be returning to and adding to their maps as they learn
more about native plants and weeds in their schoolyard. This activity
can be used in conjunction with the Hula - Hoop Transect or the Pulling
Together activities in future sections as a way of marking study sites.
|
