CP, SI
(a) |
Pose questions about changes in natural phenomena (e.g., sunlight, temperature, humidity, and cloud cover) in the environment over the course of a day and a year. |
(b) |
Identify the days of the week, months of the year, and seasons. |
(c) |
Observe daily and seasonal changes in the amount of heat and light from the sun, including the formation of shadows (e.g., length of day, temperature differences throughout the year, and changes in shadow length throughout a day and a year). |
(d) |
Examine ways in which various cultures, including First Nations and Métis, represent daily and seasonal changes through oral traditions and artistic works. |
(e) |
Use a variety of tools (e.g., rain gauge, thermometer, and wind vane) and techniques (e.g., chart, diagram, and table) to record changes in weather conditions (e.g., temperature, humidity, wind direction and strength, and amount and type of precipitation) that occur in daily and seasonal cycles. |
(f) |
Document the visibility and position of objects (e.g., sun, moon, planets, and stars) in the sky at different times of the day and year. |
(g) |
Record observations of the shape and position of the moon throughout a month. |
(h) |
Sequence or group objects, materials, and events according to one or more attributes related to daily and/or seasonal changes (e.g., group pictures by season, sequence activities according to time of day, group clothing items by season, and sequence stages of garden growth). |
(i) |
Create visual or physical representations of differences in natural phenomena at different times of the day and/or year. |
(j) |
Communicate observations about daily and seasonal changes using vocabulary such as days of the week, seasons of the year, today, tomorrow, tonight, morning, afternoon, evening, and night. |
Numerous opportunities are provided for students to engage in hands-on explorations that ensure a thorough understanding of key science concepts. Each unit opens with a Big Question to guide learning. Throughout the unit, there are four levels of inquiry. The Explore Activity allows students to build background knowledge. Teachers direct instruction in Directed Inquiry. In Guided Inquiry, students become independent learners with guidance from the teacher. Students choose their own questions, create and carry out plans, collect and record data and share data in Open Inquiry.
Additional materials for students and teachers are available online at www.myngconnect.com/login/chooseMainUI.spr
Children will realize that we depend upon the people who work together to grow and to share food for our sustenance, while protecting and respecting the land and animals.
A study guide is available.
Included in the resource is a variety of formats to support resource-based learning. Instructional strategies are explained and differentiating instruction is included to assist teachers with the diversity within the classrooms. The "release of responsibility" model has students demonstrating and applying their knowledge in a variety of ways. A comprehensive approach is used to teach the cues and conventions and they are incorporated into the framework of the lesson plans. There are cross-curricular units that link to science and social studies.
The teacher's guide is detailed and comprehensive with formative and summative assessment tools. Teacher reflection is emphasized.
Teachers may consider bringing an Elder into the classroom to discuss our relationships to the land.
This book was selected as a finalist for the 2009 Canadian Children's Book Centre - Best Books for Kids and Teens.