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Whose Clues

Class Title: Whose Clues
Audience: 1st Grade
Offered: 1st Quarter
Length: 1hr. 25 minutes (look-around time in the Exploration Hall included)

Preparing for this Class:

  1. Students should dress for the weather.
  2. OPTIONAL – Teachers could bring a digital camera to document student finds.
  3. In case of inclement weather, alternate activities will be held inside.

I. Class Description

The class will start inside with an introduction to the 5 things all living things need: food, water, shelter, air, and space. We will also discuss simple ways that scientists classify and group living things. Students will then rotate through the following activities:

  1. A visit with a live and a toy snake to practice comparing and contrasting.
  2. A "Wild Hike" in the park on which students will compile a list of observed animals and/or animal signs, examples of plants, and a list of colors observed. The group will also visit the 'Bug Garden' and search for live invertebrate examples like slugs, ants and isopods. OPTIONAL: If fallen leaves are needed back at school for a project or class collection, students may also collect those during the hike.

II. Correlation to MN Science Standards

  1. When asked "How do you know?", students support their answer with observations. (1.1.1.1.1)
  2. Recognize that describing things as accurately as possible is important in science because it enables people to compare their observations with those of others. (1.1.1.1.2)
  3. Recognize that tools are used by people, including scientists and engineers, to gather information and solve problems. For example: Magnifier (1.1.3.2.1)
  4. Describe and sort animals into groups in many ways, according to their physical characteristics and behaviors. (1.4.1.1.1)
  5. Recognize that animals need space, water, food, shelter, and air. (1.4.2.1.1)
  6. Sort objects in terms of color, size, shape, and texture, and communicate reasoning for the sorting system. (0.2.1.1.1)

III. Science Vocabulary (*denotes a Quarry Hill vocabulary word)

Invertebrate
Vertebrate
Food

Water
Shelter
Plant

Air
Animal
Space

Soil
Energy
Requirements for life