Hi, A couple of brief thoughts: Enthusiasm and getting kids to notice and observe and then remember seem to be the keys in many successful programs. Getting them to use their physical bodies is also very helpful-- move the way an animal moves, or have them stand in different arrangements to understand the way forest structure works. And enthusiasm enthusiasm and building on their creativity.
So for instance, you might have the kids sit, lay down, or stand, silently facing towards the rainforest (not each other) for 2-3 minutes. Keep it short. They are little so time seems much longer. Ask them first to just close their eyes and listen. After about 30 seconds ask them to see if they can hear new sounds. After thirty more seconds ask them to see if they can smell things )eyes still closed) and then have them open their eyes and just look. When the 2 minutes ends you can ask them to describe the sounds, smells, and what they saw. They will probably at first think it was very quiet and then be surprised at how much noise (insects, birds, monkeys, wind) they heard... You can talk about how full of life your rainforest is. How all the sounds/smells help us recognize different species etc. this would highlight things like diversity, complexity. If you know that some important things are no longer present--you could talk about what sounds are missing from the forest. Then you could take them on a short walk that might highlight some different things you would love them to know or observe. Maybe 2-3 different habitats within the forest. You could tell them for instance to pretend that they are tree seeds that have just fallen and need to grow into trees. Ask them what they need to grow (water, light, etc). Have them stand in different spots--are they getting enough light to grow? Do they have enough room? You can talk in really general terms about how different species have different requirements. Or you could have them each pick a species( animal or plant) and as they walk try to find a place that could be a good home. If they start getting bored/distracted/rowdy ask them to walk the way their species would move. Let them act things out, have them try to learn how to make a howler monkey call, and then talk a little about howler monkeys. Pick a couple of things you would like them to go home having a little more idea about and find lots of ways to keep introducing it. Also, though they mostly won't remember the terms and details, you may be surprised. My nieces went to an entirely outdoor nursery school (rain, shine, or snow). One day when I was visiting I asked the older one what she had learned in school that day--she said she learned about hibbbernnanation (hibernation, she was three). I asked her what that was (I hadn't understood what she said), she said it was when animals slept all winter. She then through herself on the floor and stuck her arms and legs in the air, "like this she said." Details aside, my niece is now nine, and I often call on her for natural history information. They may not remember the details--but the feeling, your enthusiasm, and some big points will probably stick. Best Nancy El viernes, 13 de noviembre de 2015, J C Voltolini <jcvol...@uol.com.br> escribió: > Dear friends, > > I am a University teacher and education coordinator in Brasil and our > Departament is testing a new Biology curriculum with courses like teaching > ecology, botany, zoology, microbiology. > > The idea is to develop methods to teach these areas in public secondary > schools but now I was invited to teach a field class for preschool kids (5 > years). > > I would to share ideas because the school is near a rainforest fragment > with howler monkies, a very good place to teach! I am thinking in an > practice about observation of plants to understand the structure of the > rainforest comparing herbs, brushes and trees. Any ideas? > > Some pictures of my teaching ecology activities: > https://www.facebook.com/ecotrop/media_set?set=a.10207129950628258.1073741841.1266679242&type=3&uploaded=83 > > Prof. Dr. J. C. VOLTOLINI > Biology Department > Universidade de Taubaté > -- Nancy M. Dammann, Ph.D. Conservation Biologist/Political Ecologist VASI Coordinating Team Member www.proyectovasi.org www.projectvasi.org Cell Phone (231) 675 8242 Numero Celular 011 (231) 675 8242 Perú 951-053-658 RPM #951-053-658 www.nancydammann.com
