This lesson plan asks students to use their "owl eyes" from a special spot of their choosing and to discuss what they see from their spots after several sits.
Students will practice their observation skills and patience as they see if there are small changes or slow changes they can detect in their environment.
Teaching Tips
Positives
This lesson plan is an excellent ongoing activity that can be utilized throughout the school year for practicing patience, mindfulness, observation, and communication skills.
There are plenty of opportunities for differentiation and extension within this plan.
Additional Prerequisites
Students should be able to sit quietly for a minute or two in order to start this practice.
For larger classes, students may need to sit in groups in order to be effectively monitored while outside.
Differentiation
Cross-curricular connections can be made in health classes discussing mindfulness or meditation, language arts classes working on gathering evidence, and art classes discussing how artists observe their surroundings.
Consider having students bring out notebooks to write a haiku, draw a picture, or take notes on their observations.
To practice their communication skills, have students practice describing their sit spots to their partners and having the partner draw what they are hearing.
Scientist Notes
The activity builds students' observational skills to note changes in their environment. This is illustrative and recommended for teaching.
Standards
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
ESS2: Earth's Systems
K-ESS2-1 Use and share observations of local weather conditions to describe patterns over time.
K-ESS2-2 Construct an argument supported by evidence for how plants and animals (including humans) can change the environment to meet their needs.
College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Standards
Dimension 4: Communicating and Critiquing Conclusions
D4.2.3-5 Construct explanations using reasoning, correct sequence, examples, and details with relevant information and data.
Common Core English Language Arts Standards (CCSS.ELA)
Speaking & Listening (K-12)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.1 Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 1 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.4 Describe people, places, things, and events with relevant details, expressing ideas and feelings clearly.
