Christina Welch

UBD Lesson Plan: Nature Walk

Grade 1
Content Area: Science/STEM
Stage 1
Standards
S.K-2.B.1.1.1: Describe basic external structures of animals and plants.
S.K-2.D.1.1.1: Identify different types of Earth materials (e.g., rock, soil,
sand, pebbles).
ISTE standard 1a: Apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas,
products or processes
ISTE standard 1b: Create original works as a means of personal or
group expression
Behavioral Objectives
Students will be able to:
-Understand that the Earth is made up of many plants, animals and
natural materials
-Identify specific natural materials
-Match what students see in nature to what is on their "Nature Walk"
list
-Orally describe one natural material and what it's use is
-Make a photo "poster" on class iPads in groups of 2
Enduring Understanding
Knowing about natural materials is something that will be helpful any
time a student is in nature.
It is important to know the role and function of natural materials.
Essential Questions
How do the materials in nature influence the way the world works?
How can I use these natural materials in a way other than what they
are meant for?

Stage 2
Informal Assessment
Students will check off the natural materials seen on their Nature Walk
worksheet while on on the nature walk.
-S.K-2.D.1.1.1: Identify different types of Earth materials
(e.g., rock, soil, sand, pebbles).
Formal Assessment
Students will create a poster on the class iPad, and orally explain: what
natural material they chose, what it's purpose is, why it's important,
and how else it could be used. Teacher will grade presentations via a
rubric.
-S.K-2.B.1.1.1: Describe basic external structures of
animals and plants.
-ISTE standard 1a: Apply existing knowledge to generate
new ideas, products or processes
-ISTE standard 1b: Create original works as a means of
personal or group
expression
Stage 3
Materials List
Nature Walk worksheets
Clipboards & Pencils- Enough for everyone
Magnifying glasses (optional)
Gallon-sized Ziploc bags- One for each group of 2
Natural Area to walk through
iPads- One for each group of 2
iPad apps installed on each iPad- A poster/collage making app such as
PicCollage or Phoster
Rubric for grading each presentation
Investigating in Your Backyard: Thinking like a Scientist by Natalie
Lunis
Procedures
-Step one: Teacher reads book Investigating in Your backyard:
Thinking like a scientist by Natalie Lunis
-Students sit and listen to the book being read
-Step two: Teacher collects clipboards, pencils and Nature Walk
worksheets and prepare to take students outside
-Students put on their coats (if necessary) and get in line.

-Step three: Teacher walks students outside, hands them their

clipboards, and tells them to match what they see in nature to what
they see on the worksheet.
-Students walk outside while looking for natural materials, checking off
when they see one.
-Step four: After walk, teacher sits students down outside and tells
them to get with a partner. She gives each group a Ziploc bag and
instructs them to pick ONE natural material (that will fit inside the bag,
and does not move) to take inside.
-Students get with partner and begin the hunt, using magnifying
glasses if needed, for the perfect material to bring inside.
Students and teacher go back to classroom.
-Step five: Teacher gives each group an iPad and directs them to make
a poster on the iPad about their materials, giving them the questions
that are seen under formal assessment to answer in their
presentation.
Students work with their partner on the posters.
Step Six: Teacher walks around and assists students while they work.
Step Seven: Teacher checks off rubric for each presentation about
natural materials
Students go up in their groups, one at a time, to present their natural
materials.
Step Eight: Teacher leads closing conversation and shows animoto
collage of students work. Students listen, contribute to the
conversation and watch the animoto while remembering what their
peers presented.