Observation Tree (Outdoor Learning)
Learning outdoors has so many benefits. The fresh air, the space to move and the appreciation of nature are just a few of the reasons why I love teaching outside. This lesson brings your literacy lesson into your yard to reinforce specialized vocabulary, observation skills and to enjoy the beauty of nature! The prep work for this lesson is quick and easy, making it the perfect last-minute lesson on a beautiful day or something to keep in your back pocket when you have a little extra time with your little ones.
Materials:
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Target Age Group: Kindergarten - Grade 2
Subject: Vocabulary, Writing Skills, Observation Skills, Science
Goal: Notice your surroundings outdoors. Using drawings or words, record your observations and stick them onto the collaborative poster.
Estimated Time: 30-40 Minutes
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- Draw a large tree trunk and branches onto your Post-it® Super Sticky Easel Pad using a thick brown marker. It doesn’t need to be fancy or perfect! It’ll be covered up by “leaves” soon enough.
- Peel your tree off the Post-it® Super Sticky Easel Pad and head outside. Find a smooth, clean surface and stick your tree to it. A glass window or door are a great choice!
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- Give each participant a couple of green Post-it® Super Sticky Notes and writing tool of your choosing. I like to use markers, but crayons and pencils work just as well!
- Observe the world around you and record your observations on the Post-it® Super Sticky Notes. Emergent writers can use drawings to convey their thinking (this is an excellent pre-writing strategy). Encourage the use of inventive spelling to label their drawings using familiar letter sounds. Writers further along the writing continuum can write down words and even sentences on their Post-it® Super Sticky Notes.
- Invite your little ones to stick their observations onto the bare tree like leaves! Create a beautiful and full tree with all of their Post-it® Super Sticky Notes.
Use a closing circle to discuss the observations made during this lesson. Ask questions like, “did anyone record the same thing as another person?”, “what was the most common observation?” and “is there anything else we should add?”. When your lesson has wrapped up, bring your tree inside and display it on a wall or bulletin board.
