Welcome to the Dani’s Dreams’ Earth Day Every Day Online Eco Lessons!
Ready to get outside and explore? Join Dani’s Dreams and be a citizen scientist!
We’re so glad you’re joining us to celebrate Earth Day every day with Dani’s Dreams online Eco Lessons.
Gather around your device and in your backyard for some fun environmental science!
See below for all the info you’ll need to enjoy the Eco Lessons.
Eco Lesson #1: Bugs Up Close
Insects and their life cycle
Activity: Going for a hunt to find them!
Option: Creating Caterpillars that will race!
BUGS UP CLOSE ECO LESSON!
Introduction:
- Dani’s Dreams Trail – Bugs are Beneficial!
Activities:
Bug Scavenger Hunt! (you can do this at home!)
- Walk on the trail to find signs of bugs!
- Pollinators – why they are good.
- Butterflies life cycle – sign
Bug Song!
- Parts of an Insect!
Book Reading Online
- The Hungry Caterpillar
Closing Activity
- Caterpillar Craft and Race!
Standards: (K-3rd)
K: K.LS.2 Describe and compare the physical features of common living plants and animals.
1st: 1.LS.1 Develop representations to describe that organisms have unique and diverse life cycles but all have in common birth, growth, reproduction, and death
2nd: 2.LS.1 Determine patterns and behavior (adaptations) of parents and offspring which help offspring to survive.
3rd: 3.LS.3 Construct an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction
3.LS.4 Construct an argument that some animals form groups that help members survive.
Eco Lesson #2: Here Comes the Sun!
Solar Power and UV Rays
Activity: Observing and Discovering how they work
Option: Solar Art/Creating a solar oven
HERE COMES THE SUN ECO LESSON!
Introduction:
Dani’s Dream Nature Trail
Activities:
- Nature Walk – Observing the Suns Rays Around Us
- Solar Power – How it works
- Sun’s UV Rays – Dani’s Dream Sign
- Mr. Sun Song!
- Storytime – Curious George Discovers the Sun!
Closing Activity
Standards:
K.ESS.1 Make observations to determine the effect of sunlight on Earth’s surface and use tools and materials to design and build a structure to reduce the warming effect on Earth’s surface.
K.LS.3 Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
K-2.E.2 Develop a simple sketch, drawing, or physical model to illustrate and investigate how the shape of an object helps it function as needed to solve an identified problem.
K-2.E.2 Develop a simple sketch, drawing, or physical model to illustrate and investigate how the shape of an object helps it function as needed to solve an identified problem.
1st Grade: 1.ESS.1 Use observations of the sun, moon, and stars to describe patterns that can be predicted.
1.LS.3 Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
2nd grade – 2.2.5 Ask questions and design class investigations on the effect of the sun heating the surface of the earth.
2.2.7 Investigate how the sun appears to move through the sky during the day by observing and drawing the length and direction of shadows.
3rd Grade: 3-5.E.1 Identify a simple problem with the design of an object that reflects a need or a want. Include criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost.
4th Grade:
4.ESS.2 Obtain and combine information to describe that energy and fuels are derived from natural resources and their uses affect the environment.
4.ESS.4 Develop solutions that could be implemented to reduce the impact of humans on the natural environment and the natural environment on humans.
4.LS.3 Construct an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction in a different ecosystems.
Eco Lesson #3: Farm to Table
Find out how a peanut butter and jelly sandwich goes from the farm to your table.
Discuss why it is important to buy things locally to support our farmers.
Grow your own food!
Intro: Dani’s Dreams Trail- Farm Field
Farm to Table Sign
Activities:
Find Food at Home – Where did it come from?
How to Make Biodegradable Pots!
Storytime: PB & J Hooray!!
Closing Activity: Make a PB & J Sandwich
Standards:
Kindergarten:
K.LS.1 Describe and compare the growth and development of common living plants and animals.
K.LS.2 Describe and compare the physical features of common living plants and animals.
K.LS.3 Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
K-2.E.1 Pose questions, make observations, and obtain information about a situation people want to change. Use this data to define a simple problem that can be solved through the construction of a new or improved object or tool.
First Grade:
1.LS.3 Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
1.LS.4 Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants and animals (including humans) and the places they live.
K-2.E.1 Pose questions, make observations, and obtain information about a situation people want to change. Use this data to define a simple problem that can be solved through the construction of a new or improved object or tool.
Second Grade:
K-2.E.1 Pose questions, make observations, and obtain information about a situation people want to change. Use this data to define a simple problem that can be solved through the construction of a new or improved object or tool.
Third Grade:
3.LS.2 Plan and conduct an investigation to determine the basic needs of plants to grow, develop, and reproduce.
Fourth Grade:
4.LS.2 Use evidence to support the explanation that a change in the environment may result in a plant or animal will survive and reproduce, move to a new location, or die.
3-5.E.1 Identify a simple problem with the design of an object that reflects a need or a want. Include criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost.
Eco Lessons Curriculum Standards
LESSON
STANDARD
OBJECTIVE
Here Comes the Sun
SEPS.1, SEPS.2, SEPS.3, SEPS.4, SEPS.6, SEPS.8
8.ESS.3, 7.LS.1, 7.LS.5, 6.LS.2, 5.EES.4, 5.LS.1, 4.ESS.2, 4.ESS.4
Students will learn the difference between renewable and non renewable resources, focus on how solar energy works,
Bugs Up Close
SEPS.1, SEPS.2, SEPS.3, SEPS.4, SEPS.6, SEPS.8, 7.LS.1, 7.LS.5, 8.LS.5, 5.EES.3, 5.LS.2, 4.ESS.4
Describe why bugs are important parts of our environment, identify various local types of insects and “bugs”.
From Farm to Table
SEPS.1, SEPS.2, SePS.3, SEPS.4, SePS.6, SEPS.8, 8.ESS.3, 5.EES.3, , 5.LS.2, 5.LS.1, 4.ESS.4
Identify and describe where most of our food comes from and why we need to take care of the land.
Animals and Their Habitats
SEPS.1, SEPS.2, SEPS.3, SEPS.4, SEPS.6, SEPS.8, 7.LS.1, 7.LS.5, 8.LS.5, 6.LS.1, 6.LS.4, 6.LS.5, 5.LS.2, 4.ESS.4
Define what a habitat is, observe animals in their native habitat, understand why it is important to maintain these habitats.