Curriculum Based Programming for Naturalized School Yards
Overview
“Ecosystems develop and are maintained by natural processes and are affected by human action. To foster an understanding of ecosystems, this unit develops student awareness of ecosystem components and interactions, as well as natural cycles and processes.”
-Source: Alberta Learning Junior High Science Program of Studies 2001
Full Circle Adventures creates programs for Grades 1 to 4 and Grade 7 on particular aspects of eco-systems, including water, trees, sunlight, flowering plants and micro-food chains using a naturalized schoolyard ecosystem as the 'object of study’. Please contact us with the Grade level and science unit that you are working on so we can provide an on-site field trip or an outdoor lab for your class to gain experiential knowledge out of doors in a safe environment. No bus rides are necessary for these courses!
Programs for Grades 1 - 4
Needs of Native species and their habitats
What is a habitat? What animals live there? What components need to be in place to create a natural landscape? How do plants and insects interact in a co-operative way to ensure a healthy habitat? How does water and sunlight affect a habitat?These and more are the types of questions explored and answered as the class learns about the needs of small animals and insects, the effects of the seasons and changes in plant and animal life cycles. Plant and Animal adaptations
How do plants adapt to where they live? Are there specific plants and creatures that are adapted to the natural habitat at your school? This exploratory program studies the natural habitat at your school to observe the adaptations found in the plant, animal and insect communities that live there. The role of decomposers, nutrients, sunlight and water are explored as we discover the changes that an eco-system goes through from season to season. The impact of these changes on plant and animal adaptations are observed in a safe outdoor classroom.
Contact Full Circle Adventures
to discuss your specific needs.
Grade 7 Science Curriculum on Food and Fibre
Native Plants and Their Cultural Uses - Classroom instruction
This introduction to the historical world view of early Indigenous peoples in Southern Alberta provides an experiential understanding of living in balance with the land. Plant habitats, uses and application as tools, food and fibre will be discussed. Plant examples are available for students to smell and touch. Students will have an opportunity to develop an appreciation of the use of plants as food and fibre in the natural world around them. Included in this session is an option of sampling tea made with local plants.Native Plants and Their Cultural Uses - School Yard Instruction
This program encourages students to place native plants to their actual habitat. The impact of sunlight, climate and geography on plant adaptations is the process by which plants grow in specific locations and eco-regions. The first people knew this and used these skills to find specific plants for food, fibre and medicines. Students have an opportunity to understand the needs of plants, the historical uses of plants by early Europeans and First Nations peoples. Students also learn to distinguish the qualities of plants, textures and aromas that aid in the identification of a plant and its early uses. The role of plants in the eco-system and the dynamic between human use, harvest techniques and the impact of plant management on an eco-system, tie the story together.Different world views change the uses of plants as food and fibre. The various uses of plants impact both human culture and eco-systems. The impact of these historical world views of the uses of plants can also be explored.
Contact Full Circle Adventures
to discuss your specific needs.
Read
what the teachers say,
from Calgary Science School, Almadina Language Charter Academy and Centre for Gifted Education at the University of Calgary, about the programs offered by
Julie Walker
and Full Circle Adventures.
"Connecting People with Nature."
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