The grade 1-2 class visited the park each month through-out the school year for a full day. Each time we visited the park we had different stations for the students to explore a different aspect of being in the park.
Here are some examples of students reflections:
Rachel:
First, I went to the savour the moment station. My favourite thing was Ms. Katzko reading the story to us. It made me feel relaxed
Second, I went to the plant station. I discovered golden beans, they smell like green tea.
Third, I went to the photography station. I took pictures and looked at the plants. It made me feel happy.
Last, I went to the insect station. I caught a plant bug with the entomologist. It has a boring name but is the most beautiful bug in the world!
Elaine:
First, I went to the plant station. I found a golden bean and it smelt like regular flowers. It made me feel like I was at home.
Second, I went to the photography station. I discovered that most of the lady bugs were up on the hill, and I took lots of pictures of them.
Third, I went to the insect station. With the help of the entomologist, I caught a seven spotted lady bug!
Last, I went to the savour the moment station. I sketched.
Jonathan:
First, I went to the savour the moment station. I felt relaxed because I could hear the crickets calling and the wind blowing.
Second, I went to the plant station. I found what I thought was a golden rod, but Mrs. Lynch told me that it was a golden bean. I also found some wild Alberta roses. I put a string in the shape of the circle around an area on the hill and it had lots of different kinds of plants. I saw a rose hip and a snake root.
Third, I went to the photography station. I took some pictures of dandelions and other flowers
Last, I went to insect station. I caught a seven spotted lady bug. Before, I thought that the lady bug’s only had six spots, but I discovered that they have seven! The insect station was my favourite part of the day. It was my favourite station because I like different kinds of bugs. I saw the pupa of a tiger beetle and sketched it in my field journal. I didn’t think that I would see a spider, but I did! I was lucky because it had all of its eight legs when I saw it, because it usually looses its legs!
Here is An Example of Planning Developed by our teaching team Partway through the year:
Watch these videos on YouTube put on by Parks Canada to help the kids understand what conservation really means and how it looks in action:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtF9QBQGMt4&index=5&list=PLOe6XX2wBaiagSX8eaB1rpjBoNF2Xmw6o
The return of bison to a National Park.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J69mKmFISUQ&index=11&list=PLOe6XX2wBaiagSX8eaB1rpjBoNF2Xmw6o
