Exploration and Observation

To develop a young students understanding of the natural world, one group of kindergarten students were exposed to animals in the classroom as well as field trips to develop their scientific... See More

To develop a young students understanding of the natural world, one group of kindergarten students were exposed to animals in the classroom as well as field trips to develop their scientific literacy over a two year period. This learning experience included reading about nature as well as observing nature first hand in a nature center. Making observations was the key to their learning and this helped develop their vocabulary as well.

Using the Outdoors to Hone Observation Skills

The author explains how kindergarten and first grade children progressed from making passive observations to being able to look for and document evidence of the world around them. Student-dr... See More

The author explains how kindergarten and first grade children progressed from making passive observations to being able to look for and document evidence of the world around them. Student-driven questions were investigated using resources such as the Internet and fiction books. Caterpillars, for example, were kept in the classroom to provide opportunities for observation and hypothesis-making while a stream table was utilized to simulate a dam constructed by beavers. Although this article does not include specific directions for activities for your classroom, it will nevertheless spur you to using the outdoors as a way to develop curiosity and process skills for budding scientists.