Nature Exploration

This activity was a two part process, where the children participated in a scavenger hunt outside on the playground. The children searched for natural objects such as wood chips, rocks and leaves. The second part of the activity, the children used the materials they found and together sorted everything out. They shared the materials they found and used clay to create various models, that ranged from snowmen to little homes.

Materials

Towel

Bin with water and soap

Trays

Clay

Leaves

Wood Chips

Rocks

Flower Petals

Berries

Smocks

Process of sorting out the materials found on the playground

Learning Objectives

The objectives of this activity are for the children to question about textures and patterns by exploring properties of clay and natural objects, represent their ideas symbolically by using open ended materials to create clay models and be able to classify and use their senses to explore the properties of the clay as well as materials they find outside on the playground (branches, rocks, leaves, wood chips, flower petals).

The outcomes of this activity include: tool use of the clay such as using rolling pins or plastic knives and being able to express and represent their thoughts of the world around them.

Sections outlines in Early Learning for Every Child Today:

ELECT 4.4 Spatial Exploration

ELECT 4.3 Representation

ELECT 5.3 Sensory Exploration

ELECT 5.2 Tool Use

“Let's collect berries and leaves so that we can make a house for our black bear friends!"

The children's creations which ranged from little people to small homes!

Reflection & Outcome

One of the learning curves in this activity was the time it took for the children to sort out their materials that they collected from outside of the playground. Although they were engaged in the activity and motivated to create their clay models, the time length it took to sort out materials reflected in loss of focus at times. If I were to implement this activity another time, I would implement this with a smaller group and I would allocate less time to sorting.

The positive aspect of this activity was the level of engagement during the creation of the clay models. The children were very focused in creating an art piece of their own and excited in sharing with me what their model represented. They proudly talked to their friends about what they made and who they wanted to give their models to. They also seemed excited to learn about different objects they found outside like the Maple Leaf.