approved Adirondack Curriculum Project - www.adkcurriculum.org tested
NYS Content Area Standard

MST 4. Science - The Living Environment

NATIONAL STANDARDS
  • Science: Life Sciences
  • Language Arts: Listening & Speaking
  • Like Skills: Working with Others
 Title: Nature Trail Tour Guide

Grade Level: 4 - 6th

Author: Lori Bishop and Karen VanAlstine, Ballston Spa CSD

Email: lbishop@bscsd.org kvanalstine@bscsd.org
 Adirondack Curriculum Content Area
_X_ Natural History
___ Human History
___ Culture & the Arts
___ Government & Civics
___ Economy
___ Health, Recreation & Life Skills

Investigative Question or Issue:  How have plants and animals adapted to living in different environments?

Challenge:  
Work in groups to create a ‘Tour Guide’ for a local nature trail or park.

Context for this Challenge: Teachers will want to ensure that students have ready access to the various types of Northern Forest habitats/environments mentioned in this challenge. Local Nature Trails, Environmental Centers, and/or Parks may be a good place to stage this challenge especially as they may permit repeat visits over a period of time to record observations and gather longitudinal data. It may also be advisable to ask the staff of such a center to visit with your students to show them how
to conduct a guided tour. The teacher will also want to spend time helping students understand the
responsibilities of the different roles to which they may be assigned.

Distribute and go over Student Handout

Quality Standards:  

  • The challenge is completed at the end of the allotted time
  • The tour script contains correct spelling and punctuation.
  • All focus questions are addressed accurately and thoroughly for all three sites
  • The tour is informative - it gives visitor important information about the plants and animals
    of the site
  • The tour is interesting - the tour presenters use different tones of voice and speak to listeners
    directly
  • The tour presenters point out specific connectionsbetween plant/animal adaptations and the types of environment at each site.
Adapted for the Adirondack Curriculum Project from the work of Education By Design TM and Leading EDGE, LLC ©ACP 2002

   Product Quality
Checklist
Date: ________                                                                     Class Period: ________
Product Author(s):

 
 Product Title/Name:
Guided Tour of Wood Road Nature Trail
Evaluator Name(s)
 
 Observed Standard/Criteria
Possible
Points
Rating
  Challenge completed at the end of six weeks   
 10
  
  The script contains correct spelling and punctuation.
  10  
   Three different habitats are documented.   
15
  
  All focus questions are addressed at each site
  24  
   Easy to understand-visitors can accurately interpret information given by listening to your presentation.   
 10
  

All information about plants and animals is accurate.
  15  
  Connections are made between plant/animal adaptations and environment.
 15
 

 Team members' names are on all written work.
1








 
TOTALS
  100  

Comments: nf Northern Forest Partnership.