EHS The World Around Us/Nature

Changes to Environment

Nature photos

Nature Magazines

Books about the world

Books about nature

Pictures from around the world

Nature stamps

Magnifying glasses

View finder with nature slides

Microscope

Box or sealed container full of things from nature

Twigs

Grass

Leaves

Fake flowers

Soft globe

Nature file folder games

Coke bottles filled with things from nature (make sure lid is sealed)

Stuffed animals

Animal puppets

Insect/bug puppets

Animal stamps

Insect/bug stamps

Sand

Mud

Nature puzzles

Rainstick

Nature sounds CDs

Child friendly maps

Water Table: water animals, blue water, fake flowers, etc

Sensory Table: dirt, sand, grass, twigs, plastic animals and/or insects, rake, shovel, crinkle grass, etc.

Teaching Concepts for Indoor Experiences

1. Leaf rubbings

2. Nature Collage (using real items or magazine clippings)

3. Turn pages of a nature book or magazine

4. Work a nature puzzle

5. Dig in dirt (hide insects, etc in dirt for children to find)

6. Puppet play with nature puppets

7. Observe nature bottles and/or boxes and point/say what you see

8. Rain Cloud- Set up crock pot half full of water and set on high with lid on (away from kids reach of course). After water has condensed on lid show kids how the lid is like a cloud full of water droplets. Pick lid up and explain that as the water droplets form together they get too heavy to stay in the cloud and (turn lid on side) then it rains. After lid is off turn off lights and shine flashlight over crock pot so children can see the "cloud" of evaporation.

​9. Practice cutting by cutting leaves

Teaching Concepts for Outdoor Experiences

1. Nature Walk

2. Hide and seek nature items

3. Flower Hop (hop over flowers)

4. Sway like the trees

5. Cloud chase

6. Soil search- have children examine all sorts of soil (clay, potting soil, sand, top soil) Use magnifying glasses to observe and see how they are different, feel them as well to see the different textures of each.

Teaching Concepts for Music Movement Wellness IMIL

1. Little Seed

I’m a little flower seed.

I’m planted in the earth.

I feel the sun come down on me to warm this big old earth. (sit and tuck in heads and knees to look like a ball)

The rain begins to come and gets rid of my big thirst. (wiggle fingers in the air in a downward motion)

I then became a big and pretty flower so you can pick me first. (stand up)

2. Rocks are Hard (tune: Three Blind Mice)

Rocks are hard

Rocks are hard

Oh so hard

Very hard

Some are very big rocks

And some are very little rocks

But all rocks are hard

All rocks are hard

3. Camouflage (tune: Frere Jacques)

Camouflage, camouflage

Colors that match, Colors that match

Where is the weasel, Where is the weasel

Its’ hiding, it’s hiding

Camouflage, Camouflage

Strips and spots, Strips and spots

Where is the tiger, where is the tiger,

It’s hiding, it’s hiding

Camouflage, camouflage

Bright red frog, Bright red frog,

I don’t need to hide

I don’t need to hide

Warning, danger, warning, danger

4. A Song For Making Mud Pie (tune:Sing a Song of Sixpence)

Sing a song for mud pie,

It’s my favorite brand.

Mix it ‘til it’s mushy,

Squeeze it with your hand,

Put it in a tin pan,

Leave it in the sun.

Wait about an hour,

Then you know it will be done!

5. Mud, Mud, Mud Is Fun (tune: Row, Row, Row Your Boat)

Mud, mud, mud is fun

Watch us stir it up

Round and round and round and round

Mud is fun to make.

Mud, mud, mud is fun

Listen to it squish

Through our fingers, round our toes

Squish is how it goes.

6. This Land (Tune: This Land is Your Land)

This land is your land

This land is my land,

Let’s work together

To make it better

From tall green forests to clear blue waters

This land depends on you and me!

Teaching Concepts for Fingerplays

1. Water Cycle (tune: She’ll Be Coming Around the Mountain)

Water travels in a cycle, yes it does (use pointer finger to make big circle)

Water travels in a cycle, yes it does (repeat finger circle)

It goes up as evaporation(moves hands up to the sky

Forms clouds as condesation (make a cloud overhead with arms)

The comes down as precipitation, yes it does! (sprinkle with fingers while bringing arms down in front of you)

2. Leaves Are Floating Down

Leaves are floating softly down (Flutter fingers)

They make a carpet on the ground (Spread hands apart)

Then swish!  The wind comes whirling by (Bring hands around fast)

And sends them dancing in the sky (Flutter fingers upwards)

3. I See the Wind

I see the wind when the leaves dance by.

(dance hands around)

I see the wind when the trees wave “Hi!”

(wave hand)

I see the wind when the kites fly by.

(raise arms high)

I see the wind when the clouds float up high.

(wave hand gently)

I see the wind when it blows my hair.

(lift hair with hands)

I see the wind ‘most everywhere!

(hold hands out, palms up)

4. I See The Green Grass

I see the green grass (Look down and point to the ground)

Under my feet (Lift up one foot at a time)

It tickles my toes (Wiggle toes)

And it smells so sweet (Sniff and smile)

It feels so soft (Stroke arm with finger tips)

Like a bed, you know (Hands under face as if sleeping)

I see the green grass (Look down and point to the ground)

Grow, grass grow! (Raise hands while wiggling fingers)

5. Raindrops Falling (tune:Frere Jacques)

Raindrops falling,

Raindrops falling,

From the sky,

From the sky,

Put up your umbrella,

Put up your umbrella,

Nice and dry.

Nice and dry.