Learning Outdoors
Resources from Environmental Education - 7/30/20
Nature Writing
We're revisiting a video by EE teacher Laureanna R. about nature journals! Creating your own nature journal out of recyclable materials is simple and fun!
After your journal is created, there are endless possibilities! You could:
- collect leaves or flowers and press them between the pages
- create your own field guide for animals and plants in your neighborhood
- choose an animal or plant near you and draw its life cycle
- create a nature craft or art project and record the steps in your journal
- draw a map of our neighborhood, community park, or backyard
- pick a spot to visit each day and write down 1-2 observations
- record items in nature that begin with every letter of the alphabet
- record the weather
We'd love it if you shared your writing creations with us either on our social media pages or via e-mail! All of our contact information can be found at the bottom of our newsletter :-)
Alliance for the Great Lakes
The organization Alliance for the Great Lakes is hosting garbage clean up events at local beaches! To find an event, or to host your own, check out this website.
In the video below, an organization member demonstrates a creative way to use the garbage that you might find on the beach. You could do a similar art project with any litter that you might pick up in your neighborhood! You'd want to wear gloves and sanitize everything first, of course. We'd love to see photos of your finished creations, if you're up for the challenge!
Nature Craft
For more great ideas of activities you can do at home or nearby, check out this great collection or ideas from Woodland Trust.
Cicadas
According to the Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine, the most common cicada species found in Wisconsin is Tibicen canicularis. Another name for this insect is the Dogday Harvestfly. Depending on the species, cicadas can spend anywhere from 2-17 years underground as nymphs before emerging to shed their skin and become an adult. The adult cicadas live only a few weeks, just long enough to lay eggs and continue the life cycle. The most well-known feature of cicadas, their buzzing sound, is created from two drum-like organs near their abdomen. In some cultures, the buzzing is a sign that summer is slowly beginning its shift into fall.
Have you found any cicada shells in your neighborhood lately?
Moving in Nature
Virtual Scavenger Hunt
Looking for a fun, family-friendly activity to do outdoors this summer? We've got just the thing! A virtual scavenger hunt!
Here are the general guidelines:
-Stay close to home
-Take a picture and post your findings on Twitter and/or Facebook
-Tag us on Facebook (@SDWEnvironmentalEducation) or Twitter (@SDWEnvED)
-Use the hashtag #ExploreWithSDWEE
-Receive points for your findings
For more info and the list of items to search for, check out this LINK. The winner will be announced on August 25th! Happy hunting!
Science Joke of the Week
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Email: ekoeppel@waukesha.k12.wi.us
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