Math comes alive in this outdoor activity that takes key concepts like patterns and measurement from the classroom to the forest. An adventure in discovery awaits as students interact with nature and apply new mathematics learning in an authentic and meaningful context. Essential skills are reinforced as students participate in a series of short activities where they will:
Estimate heights of trees.
Identify shapes and patterns in nature.
Practice counting and recording data by conducting surveys of flowers.
Measure and calculate the age of a tree.
This unique outdoor lesson supports mathematics outcomes related to estimation, number recognition, counting, patterns, symmetry and measurement while providing a meaningful nature experience that reinforces science skills like observation. As they explore, students will also be able to examine plants and animals they find and develop an increased awareness of the habitat values of forests.
The activities in this resource could be the precursor to an integrated teaching unit where a class uses Math, Science, English Language Arts and Visual Art skills to prepare a forest survey of their study site which highlights all of the interesting features of the area. This survey could be used to educate peers about the benefits of trees while promoting forest conservation in the local community.
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