Students will take a five senses walk around the school and observe and record what they see, hear, smell, and feel.
Additional Resources
Math for All Seasons by Greg Tang. Seasonal topics using math to solve riddles.
Math in the Bath (and other fun places, too) by Sara Atherlay. Fun story that gives examples of math in everyday life-dinnertime, social studies, music, family, nature, etc.
What’s a Pair? What’s a Dozen? by Stephen R. Swinburne. Book shows examples of number-related words found in nature using photographs of everyday things.
One Crow, A Counting Rhyme by Jim Aylesworth. Counting rhyme that moves through the seasons from summer to winter.
Reading Rainbow videos: “Once There Was a Tree” (life cycle of trees), “And Still the Turtle Watched” (ecology and eagles), “Is This a House for Hermit Crab?” (animal homes), “Raccoons and Ripe Corn” (animal tracks), “Summer” (seasons).
The class will go on a discovery walk around the outside of the school, observing the building (walls, windows, doors, parking, etc.) playground (equipment, plants, wildlife, ground covering) and what surrounds the school grounds. The gathered information will be used to produce a class book that tells about their school using descriptive words and phrases.
If necessary, review concepts of repeating patterns, and the five senses (touch, smell, sight, hearing, and taste--although we will not use taste for this activity). Practice using the senses to observe things in the classroom. Practice using crayons to do texture rubbings of things found in the classroom. Acquaint student with contents of the "Field Trip Kit." Establish guidelines for using the kit.
Intended Learning Outcomes
1. Demonstrate a positive learning attitude.
3. Demonstrate responsible emotional and cognitive behaviors
4. Develop physical skills and personal hygiene.
Process Skills
Observation, data collection, description, investigation, classification, form
conclusions
Invitation to Learn
Share "What in the World" pictures with the class. (These are colored
pictures of everyday objects photographed in a distorted way: close-up or very
far away). Give them time to try to guess what they are looking at. Introduce
the concept of taking pictures with the camera held very close or very far away.
Instructional Procedure
During the walk each student will:
Teacher will:
** Over the next few days, use this information to write a class book about your school. Use grade-appropriate prewriting and writing skills. Illustrate and publish the book and share with the school (give to the library for students to check out.)
Possible Extensions/Adaptations
Family Connections
As a homework assignment, students could take a five senses walk around their
home or community with their family. They could write a book about their observations
to share with the class.
Direct observation of students as they record what they see, hear, smell, and touch on the walk will tell you if they understand the concept of the five senses. The completed class book will also give you an authentic piece to assess for class understanding of the process skills used in this activity.