For Teachers (continued)
For a graphic long-term experiment on the effects of removing human intervention, try the following. During the spring, stake out a square meter (more if possible) of cultivated land, on school property or in a volunteer's garden. Keep this area free of all interference, like mowing, weeding and spraying. Note the changes that take place during the next several months. Weekly photos of the plot would be useful, together with photos of every plant and animal you can find there. Encourage your students to use their eyes and to record everything they see--and not only in the staked-out plot. They should also survey the surrounding area. Ideally, this project would be combined with a field trip to an open area.
Typically, students won't see much at first--they need to move plants aside, look under leaves and lift up stones (making sure to replace them the way they were). It doesn't matter that they (or you!) can't identify the organisms; give them make-believe names like "hairy caterpillar with yellow stripe" (eastern tent caterpillar). There are numerous Internet sites to help with identifications, and a search for your particular area would be useful.
This excellent site for beginners is mostly, but not exclusively, for North America.
The commonest animals you'll find will be insects and this site, which has good photos, is useful for North America.
A useful site for plants of British Columbia, with good photos.
YouTube has some fun natural history videos. People who don't like creepy things will be freaked out by some of them!
Have you seen a grasshopper like this? Some caterpillar! Scared of spiders? Not an alien...
Your students could post photos or videos of the animals and plants they've seen on YouTube, Facebook or Myspace.
Including this website (http://www.AbacusAdventure.com) in your posting will enable other students to benefit from this environmental activity.
Typically, students won't see much at first--they need to move plants aside, look under leaves and lift up stones (making sure to replace them the way they were). It doesn't matter that they (or you!) can't identify the organisms; give them make-believe names like "hairy caterpillar with yellow stripe" (eastern tent caterpillar). There are numerous Internet sites to help with identifications, and a search for your particular area would be useful.
This excellent site for beginners is mostly, but not exclusively, for North America.
The commonest animals you'll find will be insects and this site, which has good photos, is useful for North America.
A useful site for plants of British Columbia, with good photos.
YouTube has some fun natural history videos. People who don't like creepy things will be freaked out by some of them!
Have you seen a grasshopper like this? Some caterpillar! Scared of spiders? Not an alien...
Your students could post photos or videos of the animals and plants they've seen on YouTube, Facebook or Myspace.
Including this website (http://www.AbacusAdventure.com) in your posting will enable other students to benefit from this environmental activity.