How to Be a Nature Detective
Find online sources and books of activities to teach children how to be a nature detective., Gather together the materials you need for nature detective activities., Find a park, field or backyard that has a variety of different grasses, trees...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Find online sources and books of activities to teach children how to be a nature detective.
There are many educational sites and school websites with group activities that you can print out.
Amazon and other book stores carry many books on nature that will assist with your efforts. -
Step 2: Gather together the materials you need for nature detective activities.
Print out activity sheets and keep them in a waterproof folder or envelope.
Get pencils and crayons for recording activities.
Other supplies you may need include magnifying glasses, jars, plastic bags and tweezers for collecting specimens. ,, If you are working with a group, have them separate into teams or work alone.
Explain that they are nature detectives and that their job is to have a scavenger hunt to find and observe objects.
They can look for specific things like a frog or a feather, or look for items that are the same color, shape or texture. , Tell them to check off items as they find them. , Go over the results.
Ask questions about the things they found.
Find out which of their senses they used when they observed the objects they found., Use reference guides to look for specific features. , Lay a piece of paper over the item.
Rub over it with a crayon or piece of chalk. , Point out the different types of clouds and talk about the color of the sky.
Look for shapes in the cloud formations. -
Step 3: Find a park
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Step 4: field or backyard that has a variety of different grasses
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Step 5: plants and soils.
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Step 6: Go over the activities with the children.
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Step 7: Give the children the activity sheets and a crayon or pencil.
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Step 8: Meet with the children after a specified period of time.
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Step 9: Show the children how to use a magnifying glass to find all the colors and details on bugs
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Step 10: rocks and other items.
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Step 11: Have the children make rubbings of objects that they find.
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Step 12: Lie down with the children and look up at the sky.
Detailed Guide
There are many educational sites and school websites with group activities that you can print out.
Amazon and other book stores carry many books on nature that will assist with your efforts.
Print out activity sheets and keep them in a waterproof folder or envelope.
Get pencils and crayons for recording activities.
Other supplies you may need include magnifying glasses, jars, plastic bags and tweezers for collecting specimens. ,, If you are working with a group, have them separate into teams or work alone.
Explain that they are nature detectives and that their job is to have a scavenger hunt to find and observe objects.
They can look for specific things like a frog or a feather, or look for items that are the same color, shape or texture. , Tell them to check off items as they find them. , Go over the results.
Ask questions about the things they found.
Find out which of their senses they used when they observed the objects they found., Use reference guides to look for specific features. , Lay a piece of paper over the item.
Rub over it with a crayon or piece of chalk. , Point out the different types of clouds and talk about the color of the sky.
Look for shapes in the cloud formations.
About the Author
Lori Mendoza
Creates helpful guides on hobbies to inspire and educate readers.
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