| SKILLS:
Observing, Recording Data, Analyzing, Inferring, Predicting
CONCEPTS:
Living versus Non-living, Relationships within the Environment,
Evidence of Human Presence
PREPARATION:
Work in teams of no more than four individuals. Teams may
be assigned different levels to explore, or each team can
explore all three levels. Teams will report results to class
when they return from the field trip.
MATERIALS
PER PERSON:
Paper on a clipboard or attached to a large piece of cardboard
Pencil
| PROCEDURE: |
| 1. |
What's
Above My Head? |
|
a) |
What
things can you see at the level of treetops or rooflines?
Write down or draw ten of these things. Place an X by
any that involve electricity. |
|
b) |
How
many wires do you see? |
|
c) |
What
might the wires carry, in addition to electricity? |
|
d) |
How
many birds can you count on wires or rooftops? |
|
e) |
If
all the wires where you live blew down in a storm, how
would your life be changed? |
|
f) |
Look
into the sky. Are there any clouds? If there are clouds,
draw a sketch of some of them. |
|
g) |
Do
you see anything else in the sky besides the clouds?
If so, write down what you see |
|
h) |
Does
anything actually live in the sky, or is it just a space
that things move through? Write down your opinion |
|
|
| 2. |
What's
Right in Front of Me? |
|
a) |
Look
around. What kinds of things do you see that are in
front of you? Write down or draw ten of these things.
Place an X by any that are alive. Place a check mark
( ) by any that are animals. |
|
b) |
Look
at a building. What other kinds of living things might
be there? Write down four pieces of evidence that living
things are there. |
|
c) |
Imagine
you are a mouse. Where in the building could you live? |
|
d) |
Look
for and touch different patterns on building walls or
tree trunks. Make a crayon rubbing of one wall and two
different tree trunks. List three ways that the area
would be different if there were no trees. |
|
|
|
| 3. |
What's
Beneath My Feet? |
|
a) |
Look
down. Name or draw ten things that you see. Place an
X next to those that are alive. |
|
b) |
How
much of the area is covered with asphalt or concrete?
Circle one:
None
------¼ ------½
------¾ ------All
Other________________
|
|
c) |
Are
there any markings on the streets, sidewalks, or curbs?
Draw any markings and tell what you think they mean. |
|
d) |
Are
there any openings, with or without covers, on the sidewalk
or street? What do you think they are for? |
|
e) |
Look
for litter in the area. Name at least four kinds of
litter. What are some clues about where the litter came
from and how it got to the area? |
AFTER
RETURNING TO CLASS: Have each group report on their
findings. Discuss similarities and differences among the
data from the groups. Have the class reach some conclusions
about the characteristics of the area that they surveyed.
Some conclusions could include
| a) |
description
of the area: natural, rural, suburban, or urban |
| b) |
types
of living things in the area (excluding humans) |
| c) |
ways
in which living things have adapted to the area |
| d) |
evidence
of human activities in the area |
| e) |
effect
of human activities on the area |
*Adapted
from an activity in CITY SAFARIS by Carolyn Shaffer &
Erica Fielder published by the Sierra Club. ISBN 0-87156-720-2
(paperback)
Programs at the Dallas Museum of Natural History related
to this topic:
Know Your Neighbors, Life in the Lagoon, Animal Adaptations
Programs
at your school-Special Delivery: Adapt to Survive
Reservations
and Information: Education Coordinator
(214)
421-3466 ext. 209 or (214) 271-4714
Fax:
214-428-4356
kforonda@dmnhnet.org
www.dallasdino.org
|
