NY Botanical Gardens Elementary Grades:

NY Botanical Gardens Elementary Grades:

A TRIP TO THE NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDENS

Grades 6-8
LEARNING STANDARDS
S2 Life Science Concepts
S2a Demonstrates understanding of characteristics of organisms.
S2c Demonstrates understanding of organisms and there environment.
TOPICS COVERED
Exploring Habitat.
The relationship between plants and animals.
PURPOSE
How can we use The Botanical Gardens to gain a better knowledge of our habitat?
OBJECTIVES
Students will explore different habitats.
Students will explain the relationship between plants and animals.
MATERIALS
A copy of the Into The Woods activities. For each student, a pencil, and something hard to write on. (A clipboard).
LEARNING PREREQUISITES
Have students write an essay on things they believe is in a forest. Explain to students that they are environmental scientists. Discuss the rules stay on forest trails, stay together, and wait at all forks, respect plants and
animals living the forest.
VISIT
Students will have introduction by staff. Assign students into groups of four. You can enter the forest from any entrance. Activities can be completed along any trail. Have students trace their path along the way. When the students are in Nature Hunt. Have them draw and write things that is a part of a healthy environment. Examples are soil, water, and the sun. Discuss the many kinds of things that make a forest. WORDS IN THE WOODS have students name only things they have seen. LOTS OF LEAVES Look for fallen leaves along the trail. Have students pick up different leaves along the path. Students should draw or trace out two leaves that are different and two leaves that look the same. Explain to students that some common trees in the forest are red oak, sweet gum, tulip tree, sugar maple, and black cherry. Some of the trees are labeled.
POST VISIT
Discuss the health of the forest.
Questions. What did student's see that made them think it was healthy? What did they see that made them think it was not healthy? Explain the important factors of a forest and why do they feel these factors are important?

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