LEsson Plans

Living VS. Non- Living

The facilitator will lead students in a lesson on the characteristics of living and non-living beings. Students will go on a nature walk throughout the retreat and will be asked to collect items. At the end of the walk, they work in small groups to classify the items that they collected and discuss the qualities of living and non-living things.

TEKS-

Science:

· K.2A, K.3B, K.4B, K.9A

· 1.2A, 1.9A

· 6.12A

Water Cycle

Students will go over the different components of the water cycle. They will be asked to highlight key words (ex. precipitation, cycle) and create a diagram of the water cycle. Facilitators will lead them in an activity showing the process of the water cycle, using Ziploc bags of water in the sunshine.

TEKS-

Science:

· 1.5B, 1.7B

· 4.5B

Composting

Students will learn the method of composting that Variety’s Peaceable Kingdom uses. They will learn compostable VS. non-compostable items. Our lesson will allow them to observe our active compost pile, check the temperature of the compost, and compost appropriate materials that they’ve used since being at the retreat.

TEKS-

Science:

· K.1C, K.2A, K.2B, K.2C, K.2D, K.2E, K.4A, K.4B, K.7C

· 1.1C, 1.2A, 1.2B, 1.2C, 1.2D, 1.2E, 1.4A, 1.4B, 1.5A, 1.7A, 1.7C

· 2.1C, 2.2A, 2.2B, 2.2C, 2.2D, 2.2E, 2.2F, 2.4A

· 3.1B, 3.4A, 3.5D, 3.7A, 3.9B

· 4.1B, 4.4A, 4.7A, 4.7C

· 5.1B, 5.4A, 5.9B

· 6.1B

· 7.1B, 7.5B, 7.10A

· 8.1B

Recycling

Students will go over the method of recycling used at Variety’s Peaceable Kingdom. Students will learn the importance of recycling in the context of how much trash we produce collectively and how landfills work. Students will learn the difference between recyclable and non-recyclable items, and practice classifying items. The facilitator will provide examples of items that are made from recycled materials.

TEKS-

Science:

· K.1C, K.3A

· 1.1C, 1.3A

· 2.1C, 2.3A

· 3.1B

· 4.1B

· 5.1B, 5.9C

· 6.1B, 6.7B

· 7.1B

· 8.1B

· Environmental Systems.1B, .5F, .9A

Temperature

Our facilitators will lead a lesson on temperature, including information on temperature habits in Texas and hypotheses regarding different temperatures they will find throughout the retreat. Students will chart the temperature of different areas of the retreat; including in soil, air, water, and the compost pile.

TEKS-

Science:

· K.2A, K.3C, K.8A

· 1.2A, 1.6A, 1.8C

· 2.2A, 2.8B

· 5.5B

· Environmental Systems.8E

Water Rocket Launch

Facilitators will teach an introductory lesson on water bottle rocket physics; discussing concepts that will alter the rocket launch. Students are asked to create water bottle rockets that they believe will be more successful, and learn the process of launching them.

TEKS-

Science:

· K.1A, K.2A, K.2B, K.2C

· 1.1A, 1.2A, 1.2B, 1.2C, 1.3B

· 2.1A, 2.1B, 2.2A, 2.2B, 2.2C, 2.3B

· 3.1A, 3.2A, 3.6C

· 4.1A, 4.2A, 4.6D

· 5.1A, 5.2A, 5.2B, 5.6D

· 6.1A, 6.11C

· 7.1A, 7.7A

· 8.1A, 8.6C

· IPC.4C, .4D, .4F, .5A, .5B

· Physics.6B

Water Conservation

Facilitators will explain the proportion of water on Earth that is available for human use and the importance of conservation. Students will discuss methods of water conservation in their own environments (school, home, Variety’s Peaceable Kingdom). Facilitator will point out areas affected by drought at the retreat and allow for student observation.

TEKS-

Science:

· K.1C, K.2A, K.3A, K.7C

· 1.1C, 1.2A, 1.3A, 1.7B

· 2.1C, 2.3A, 2.7B

· 3.1B, 3.7D

· 4.1B, 4.7C

· 5.1B

· 6.1B

· 7.1B

· 8.1B

Energy Conservation

Facilitators will review renewable and nonrenewable energy sources and the effects of using fossil fuels on our environment. Students will learn the importance of energy conservation and participate in an experiment to demonstrate the principle of conservation. Students will help generate a list of actions they can take to help conserve energy in their own lives.

TEKS-

Science:

· K.1C

· 1.1C, 1.6A

· 2.1C, 2.7C

· 3.1B, 3.6A, 3.7D

· 4.1B, 4.7C

· 5.1B, 5.6A, 5.7A, 5.7C

· 6.1B, 6.7A, 6.7B

· 7.1B

· 8.1B

Air Pollution

Facilitators will discuss the importance of air quality and how our personal and societal actions contribute to air pollution. Students will participate in an experiment to observe the pollutants that we typically don’t see in the air around us. Students will identify actions they can take to lessen their impact on perpetuating air pollution.

TEKS-

Science:

· 2.3B, 2.6A

· 3.2A, 3.3A

· 4.2A, 4.3A, 4.5B, 4.7C

· 5.2A, 5.2B, 5.2C, 5.2D, 5.3A, 5.9C

· 6.2A, 6.2B, 6.3A, 6.5D, 6.7A, 6.7B

· 7.2A, 7.3A

· 8.2A, 8.3A

Health Education:

· 1.8B

· 3.6A, 3.6B, 3.6C

· 5.8D

· 7.7B

· 8.7B

Climate Change

Students will learn about climate change, and specifically the greenhouse effect and its global consequences. Students will participate in an interactive activity that demonstrates the greenhouse effect and how it warms the Earth’s surface. Facilitators will help students identify which human actions contribute to climate change and which diminish its progression.

TEKS-

Science:

· 5.7C

· 7.8A

· 8.10A, 8.10B

· Astronomy.8A, .8C

· Earth and Space Science.9A

· Environmental Systems.9D

Noise Pollution

Facilitators will discuss the causes of noise pollution and how it affects our health and environment. Students will participate in an interactive activity that demonstrates the effects of noise pollution and brainstorm solutions to minimize noise pollution.

TEKS-

Science:

· K.3A, K.6A,

· 1.3A, 1.6A

· 2.3A, 2.6A

· 3.6A

· 5.9C

Daytime Sky

Students will explore the components of the daytime sky, with an emphasis on clouds and the sun. Students will make observations and classify types of clouds. Facilitators will use a telescope to project the sun in order for students to safely view and learn about the features of the sun, such as sun spots.

TEKS-

Science:

· K.2A, K.3C, K.4B, K.8C

· 1.2A, 1.5A, 1.8B

· 2.2A, 2.8D

· 3.8B

· 5.8C, 5.8D

We are capable of additional lesson planning based on the curriculum you are currently using in your classroom. Please let us know if you’d like us to tailor any of these lessons to your classroom needs.