Overall theme:
The theme of Canopy Connections 2015 is "Nurturing Naturalists." Our curriculum was developed through 11 weeks of studying effective pedagogical approaches and educational frameworks. The following 11 weeks implemented and adapted lessons through conducting nine field trips at H.J. Andrews (HJA) Experimental Forest. The lessons are composed of a Pre-Trip, in-class lesson titled Discovering the Old Growth, and four lessons taught on site at HJA titled Climbing the Canopy; Stop, Sit, Scribble; Natures Navigators and Forests: The Life and Layers.
Pre-Trip Lesson: Discovering the Old Growth
This lesson offers students the opportunity to gain insight into the lessons they encounter in the forest on their field trip at H.J. Andrews. In order to break the ice and get a sense of class experience outdoors, the lesson begins with a game asking questions such as "who has used a compass?" Next the students participate in a matching game in which each student is given a term or definition relevant to the field trip lessons and have to find their matching pair. They then get their minds thinking spatially about Oregon with a mapping exercise where they locate prominent features (rivers, mountains, cities) on an individual and collaborative map of Oregon.
Station 1: Climbing the Canopy
"Climbing the Canopy" gives students the opportunity to experience the micro-climates while ascending an 100 foot tall Douglas-fir tree. This lesson is designed to nurture an affinity with nature and learn about forest structure and canopy ecology through first-hand observation. While climbing the tree, students observe temperature changes with thermometers placed at different heights of the tree. Once at the top of the tree, a sit spot activity in which the students sit quietly and immerse themselves with quiet observation. Lastly, the students reflect on their experience in a group discussion of their individual emotional and physical observations.
Station 2: Stop,Sit, Scribble
Stop, Sit, Scribble is encourages students to use observation and sensory awareness to connect with nature through humanities. Quite often, kids compartmentalize science with classrooms, math, and hard facts, and don’t get the opportunity to practice writing skills in the outdoors. This lesson incorporates writing and poetry to help students tune-in to their creative minds and see the natural world from a different perspective. Sensory observation and creative writing connects with the theme of “nurturing naturalists” by allowing full awareness and recording of natural surroundings. Through poetry writing and practicing silent sit spots, students become connected to the H.J. Andrews site as well as feel more connected to nature.
Station 3: Natures Navigators
This lesson gives students the opportunity to gain basic map and compass skills through introductory orienteering. Students learn spatial awareness through identifying different directions and how they relate to the area around them on a map. Through a compass expedition activity, students learn how to shoot a bearing and identify the four main tree species in the old-growth forest at H.J.Andrews. Following the expedition, students come together to observe the different tree species up close and discuss the expedition. Lastly, students have the opportunity to draw a map of their immediate surroundings, including the four key features of a map and the four tree species they learned through the lesson. This leads into personal reflection for the students as they connect orienteering in the outdoors to navigating through life and future aspirations that include environmental stewardship and action.
Station 4: Forests: The Life and Layers
This lesson provides an opportunity for students to practice critical thinking as they learn new information then apply it to a task within the framework of scientific inquiry. They will then work in groups to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate the data to determine the age of the plot they each look at. In addition, this lesson enhances the students’ place-based awareness by learning native species and their relationships between each other and the land.
Follow this link to view our full curriculum packet:.
The theme of Canopy Connections 2015 is "Nurturing Naturalists." Our curriculum was developed through 11 weeks of studying effective pedagogical approaches and educational frameworks. The following 11 weeks implemented and adapted lessons through conducting nine field trips at H.J. Andrews (HJA) Experimental Forest. The lessons are composed of a Pre-Trip, in-class lesson titled Discovering the Old Growth, and four lessons taught on site at HJA titled Climbing the Canopy; Stop, Sit, Scribble; Natures Navigators and Forests: The Life and Layers.
Pre-Trip Lesson: Discovering the Old Growth
This lesson offers students the opportunity to gain insight into the lessons they encounter in the forest on their field trip at H.J. Andrews. In order to break the ice and get a sense of class experience outdoors, the lesson begins with a game asking questions such as "who has used a compass?" Next the students participate in a matching game in which each student is given a term or definition relevant to the field trip lessons and have to find their matching pair. They then get their minds thinking spatially about Oregon with a mapping exercise where they locate prominent features (rivers, mountains, cities) on an individual and collaborative map of Oregon.
Station 1: Climbing the Canopy
"Climbing the Canopy" gives students the opportunity to experience the micro-climates while ascending an 100 foot tall Douglas-fir tree. This lesson is designed to nurture an affinity with nature and learn about forest structure and canopy ecology through first-hand observation. While climbing the tree, students observe temperature changes with thermometers placed at different heights of the tree. Once at the top of the tree, a sit spot activity in which the students sit quietly and immerse themselves with quiet observation. Lastly, the students reflect on their experience in a group discussion of their individual emotional and physical observations.
Station 2: Stop,Sit, Scribble
Stop, Sit, Scribble is encourages students to use observation and sensory awareness to connect with nature through humanities. Quite often, kids compartmentalize science with classrooms, math, and hard facts, and don’t get the opportunity to practice writing skills in the outdoors. This lesson incorporates writing and poetry to help students tune-in to their creative minds and see the natural world from a different perspective. Sensory observation and creative writing connects with the theme of “nurturing naturalists” by allowing full awareness and recording of natural surroundings. Through poetry writing and practicing silent sit spots, students become connected to the H.J. Andrews site as well as feel more connected to nature.
Station 3: Natures Navigators
This lesson gives students the opportunity to gain basic map and compass skills through introductory orienteering. Students learn spatial awareness through identifying different directions and how they relate to the area around them on a map. Through a compass expedition activity, students learn how to shoot a bearing and identify the four main tree species in the old-growth forest at H.J.Andrews. Following the expedition, students come together to observe the different tree species up close and discuss the expedition. Lastly, students have the opportunity to draw a map of their immediate surroundings, including the four key features of a map and the four tree species they learned through the lesson. This leads into personal reflection for the students as they connect orienteering in the outdoors to navigating through life and future aspirations that include environmental stewardship and action.
Station 4: Forests: The Life and Layers
This lesson provides an opportunity for students to practice critical thinking as they learn new information then apply it to a task within the framework of scientific inquiry. They will then work in groups to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate the data to determine the age of the plot they each look at. In addition, this lesson enhances the students’ place-based awareness by learning native species and their relationships between each other and the land.
Follow this link to view our full curriculum packet:.