In this series of outdoor, life-science investigations for grades 3-6, the schoolyard, is the environment to be investigated. Many ecological, environmental, and life science concepts are explored. Students learn biological sampling techniques; mapping and related mathematical skills are developed. In addition to temporarily collecting samples in "shake boxes," investigations focus on ants and spiders, and can be extended in many directions. Students learn that a bush may be home to a "community" of interacting plants and animals. Based on their observations and findings, students select a small area as their favorite location. Environmental writing about their favorite locations crowns the closing activity. This guide is designed to spark student curiosity about the patterns and interactions in nature, beginning with their immediate environment-the schoolyard.
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Introduction Time Frame Activity 1 Exploring the Schoolyard Study Area Activity 2 Finding and Observing Spiders Tales from the Web Activity 3 Discovering Animal Communities Activity 4 Tracking Ants Activity 5 Special Study Sites Behind the Scenes Guide to small Common Schoolyard Animals Spider Web Identification key Resources Assessment Suggestions Literature Connections Summary Outlines
"In this era of hype about hands-on activities, the school yard is too often given short shrift, except for occasional nature walks. . . . The book, a product of a team effort, underwent extensive tryout and review by teachers and specialists, and it shows."-Science Books &amp; Films, August/September 1998
"Overall this is a very thorough presentation of five excellent ecological activities for children. This is the way science should be taught. The investigations encourage children to learn by "doing" and to discover for themselves how organisms interact with each other and their environment. The activities are also invaluable because they foster in children an appreciation and stewardship for other living things. If they can be taught to value spiders and ants, the rest will be easy."-The American Biology Teacher, May 1999

Schoolyard Ecology

Parenting & Relationships

Barrett, Katharine

Willard, Carolyn

Parenting

GEMS-Regents of the Univ of CA

Book by Barrett, Katharine, Bergman, Lincoln, Dornfest, Gigi, Lipner, Linda, Willard, Carolyn

Investigating Artifacts (Old Edition)

Bergman, Lincoln

Lipner, Linda

Dornfest, Gigi

Children's Books

Book by Tilly, Rebecca, Willard, Carolyn

Secret Formulas

Tilly, Rebecca

Science, Nature & How It Works

Univ. of California

This GEMS guide, for grades four to eight, features ten learning stations designed to enliven student curiosity in a wide diversity of scientific fields. Using hand lenses and microscopes, students observe, record, and investigate water drop magnifiers, fingerprint ridges, dollar bills, color printing, fabrics, salts, sand, kitchen powders, insects, spiders, brine shrimp, and pond life. The 3Discovery Quilt is one of several options for students to sum up their discoveries. Many of the learning station activities make excellent connections to other GEMS units. This guide represents an innovative partnership between GEMS and the Microscopy Society of America which sponsored its development.

Microscopic Explorations

Brady, Susan

Gems

In this compelling and unique series of life-science activities for grades two through six, student groups set up and observe living, desktop models of a pond. Over a period of weeks, each group studies and adds one type of organism at a time to a small tank, transforming the containers into aquatic habitats. As the model ponds develop and change over time, students discover firsthand some of the complex interactions within a typical pond ecosystem. 
Unlike clean, filtered aquariums, these aquatic habitats more closely model what happens in the natural world. Plants, worms, snails, fish, and other organisms compete for limited space, food, and resources. Concepts such as life cycles and food webs take on real and memorable meaning as students become increasingly drawn into the drama of life itself.

Aquatic Habitats: Exploring Desktop Ponds, Grades 2-6

Mystery Festival Teacher's Guide

Education & Teaching

Beals, Kevin

Schools & Teaching

Grades 5-8What has Juan Tuno, an inquisitive student, discovered? And what does Avery Wun have to do with it?The "crime" is a mysterious environmental calamity - a fish die-off that began five years ago. The scene of the crime is the "Gray Area" watershed that includes forests, a city, a town, a coast, three rives, a lake and a pond. Student sleuths are challenged to finger the culprit in this series of investigative classroom activities. The suspects? Operators of a water slide, a toy factory, and a golf course; loggers, hunters, and fishers; a cow ranch, an oil tanker, automobiles, and ordinary households. Students become eager environmental detectives to determine what's killing the fish. Environmental Detectives includes background information and diverse resources for the teacher. No special knowledge or training is necessary to successfully present these activities.

Environmental Detectives

Beals

Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California Berkeley

Be it rural green or urban asphalt, the schoolyard is a host to a multiplicity of life. Students, grades 3-6, become schoolyard ecologists, learning key ecological and biological concepts as they investigate their most immediate environment. Multifaceted patterns of life emerge-a bush becomes a "community" of interacting plants and animals. Special investigations focus on ants and spiders. Biological sampling and mapping techniques develop mathematical capabilities. Student journals and an introduction to environmental writing provide strong language arts connections.

Science & Math

Nature & Ecology

This GEMS guide is aimed at helping students arrive at a clear understanding of seasons as they investigate the connections between the Sun and Earth. Along the way, students take a "Trip to the Sun," determine the real shape of the Earth's orbit, evaluate actual data on world temperature and hours of sunlight in different locations, and model how the angle at which sunlight hits the Earth affects its concentration.Throughout these engaging activities, students gain important standards-based science and mathematics content and develop abilities essential in scientific investigation. A CD-ROM, included with this guide, offers a rich collection of helpful resources, software programs, and web links.This guide was developed in partnership with the NASA Office of Space Science Sun-Earth Connection Education Forum (SECEF). For further astronomical teaching opportunities, see the GEMS guides Earth, Moon, and Stars, Moons of Jupiter, Living with a Star, Invisible Universe, and Messages from Space.

The Real Reasons for Seasons: Sun-Earth Connection: Grades 6-8

Gould, Alan

Pompea, Stephen

This book looks like new. Nothing written inside and no damages. Buy with confidence! All books are 100% Money Back Guarantee!!!

Sifting Through Science

Lowell, Laura

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Willard, Carolyn. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Willard, Carolyn

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Willard, Carolyn. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Schoolyard Ecology

Investigating Artifacts (Old Edition)

Secret Formulas

Microscopic Explorations

Aquatic Habitats: Exploring Desktop Ponds, Grades 2-6

Mystery Festival Teacher's Guide

Environmental Detectives

Schoolyard Ecology

The Real Reasons for Seasons: Sun-Earth Connection: Grades 6-8

Sifting Through Science