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SP 013. 269

Let's Explore Out Playground.Kuring - gai Coll. of Advanced EdUcation, LiBdfield(Australia).Nev South Wales Dept. of Education, 'Sydney /(Australia).

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PUB DATE 77 .

NOTE' 20p.

EDRS PRICEDESCRIPTORS

MF-$0.83 HCr$1.67 Plus Postage.Discovery Learning; *Early Childhood Education;*Learning Activities; Observation; *OutdoorEducation; Physical Environment; *Playgrounds

ABSTRACTWays in which a playground may be used an an area for-

young children's education are described. Techniques for encouragingchildren to observe, explore, and investigate are pointed out, andthe implications for future learning implicit in these skills arqnoted. (JD)

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AcknowledgementsThis unit for teachers is one of a group of seven written, byteachers for.use by teachers. The writing was dpine in twosessionsat Kuring-gai C.A.E. during a North Sydney RegionIn-Service Course in 1977. All the teachers were involved intrying a sample of the ideas with their classes. Commentsfrom teachers who have considered or tried the activities inthese units would be appreciated and should be sent to theproject co- ordinator:

Dr. K. J Morgan,Senior Lecturer In Science Education,KurIng-gai College of Advanced Education;P.O. Box 222,Lindfleld 2070, N.S.W: Telephone 4672211.

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Unitsiin this series and contributors:

Our Playground: F. Crawford, R. Tre Vitt, H. Whitfield,J. Keith*.

Clontarf and The Spit: V. Webb, G. Jenkins, P. Mason,G. Gilbert, G. Donohoe.

A Rock Platform :\R, TrAvor-Wilson, P. Willis, G. Daley,KAmos, S. Fitzpatrick, J. Webb.*

Davidson Park: B. Furzer,F. Sauvere, S. Chin,R. Stafford'".

The Pacific Highway: M. Moody, R. Holliday, D. Marks,R. Mclllrick, L. Thibault, C. Purcell,D. Tribe, J. Driscoll*.'

Manly: N. Farrow, G. Giliespie.

How Do I Write A Unit: G. Hodge, R. Jennings, D. Ward,K. Dawes.. *.

*Staff member at Kuring-gai College of Advanced Education

Design and illustration by Kristine Rose

ContentsFunction of The Unit 4

Specific Objectives, Learning Objectives 5_-Attitudes 6Scope of the Unit 7Integrated Ac.tivitips 8Materials, introductory Activities 9Activity 1 The Asphalt or Concrete Are'a 10Activity 2 The Grassy Area 12Activity.3 Trees and Leaf Litter 13Activity 4 Water in The Playground 14Activity 5 Looking Upwards 16Activity.6 History and Change 17

`Concluding Activities '18Resources 19

Let's Explore OUr PlaygroundThe function of this unit is to stimulate thechild to havean increasing awareness of his/her immediate environment.The unit ig intended to be an on-going theme throughout theInfants School for asshort,,or long a period as proves profitable.

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Specific Objectives

1 Investigate the playgroundenvirorgnent at differentlevels and in Manydirections

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2 Us6 the senses to collectinform7ation.

3 Develop an interest inmaking.and arrangingcollections.

4 Develop Mathematical and S:t....VV44,Scientific concepts,

Learning Objectives

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2 Identify grasses, shrubs,trees

3 Identify different habitats

Classify, compare andcontrast the animal lifeof the playground

4 Build up simple foodchains

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AttitigiesThis unit aims to develop the child's:

1 Curiosity and interest tofurther explore in his/herown time.

2 Honesty in recordingobservations.

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3 Consideration for otherliving things.

4 Responsibility for care andmaintenance of theenvironment.

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Scope of The Wit_Explorations to tie a? all levels, above, below, under and arOund.,

Lookat areas

grassyconcrete

bareunder trees

pool' Ipshy

aviarynear/ buildi gs

dadry

Geographyplans, aspect,

high and low plates,drainage-, dry,boggy areas;

wind direction,position of sun,

rock outcrops.

Obsdrveliving things

non living things,differencessimilarities

shapescolotApatternsshadows'

LET'S EXPLOREOUR PLAYGROUNe'

Hearanimal soundsplant soundsweather soundsmechanical'sounds

Smellearth smellsplant smells

animal swellsfragrant,'strahge

unpleasant'Use and Care

recreationlunch-time use.week-end use

care of equipment'Itter, vandalism

responsibility

History-changehas playgroundalways beenthe same?what of future?natural communitiesgrow, change, die.posSibleimprovements andconsequences.possiblt happenings.

Touch And feelasphalt, concretebricks, pebblesstones, rockswire, woodearth, barkleaves, flowersfeathers

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IntegrateerActivities

Mathematics andScience

sort, classify, match,oretei- and measureSets,and attributestime', shadows andchangeweathermaps aridgraphssymmetry

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Language

discussions andtalksindividual, group andclassvocabulary building

,written expressioncreative writing

Social Science

use care andmaintenance of theplaygroundrespdnsibility to theschool community,history and geographyof the school andplayground,

LET'S EXPLORE OUR PLAYGROUND

-use environmental-material for collages,wall charts, pictures,maki.6gmodels,dioramasillustrations for classbboks and stories.rubbings, printing andpainting'modelling with clay,plasticene andplaydough

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Music and Literature

stories, poemsand songsrelevant music

Excursions

visit a local busharea.other playgrounds

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Drama and CreativeDance

simple role playe.g. if I. was an ant.guessing gamese.g. what am I?

what am I smelling?what sound is this?imitation on tapes,of playgroundsounds

ground sheetsplastic bags andcontainers

hand lensesearth sievefunneI

pencils and bookletswhere appropriate

Introductory Activitie

Look out of the window ,"What do you see?"

2 A walk in the playground; discussionon how much, or, how little wasobserved.

hoopsropesmetre squares

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secateurs or scissors(teacher Only)-

3 A sub-unit of the five senses tosharpen the child's powers ofobserVation.

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4 Use of a visual 'a-id stich as a picturetalk, film,"filmstriPs, or slides.

mea8uring sticksand tapds

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Activity 1The Asphalt or Concrete Area

time: 1 week approximately

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quantities, latermake

A take a graph of

ktranspose this to chart ""\ in classroom. 1

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ollect all non-living objectssort into sets.

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classify as*bio-degradable.. or not.'

return to earthen area, items such as leaves,

twigs, grass, (even foodscrap8 if, buried) to makecomj?)ost.

dispose litter in garbagebin

discuss-findings.discuss litter problem:whose r esponsibility?

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unt for:living things. butlook and leave

behind, exceptforijant samples.

indke a kst of animals andhabitats.were there nihny"?( see chart)

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isten forsounds at all levels .natUi

and man-made.make 6p.erecordiriz.

hnOdreds

a great, many

Many

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FOUND ON THE CONCRETE

several

a few

two only

one only

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eel for:,texture,

temperature andpliability..

concrete andbricks.

metal of railings, bubblers and taps..ywood.of seats, shade trees, leaves, bark and branches.

make rubbings.

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1 WM./cracks of concretej-- the garbage 4n

the bin or on the ground."."--- leaves of plants and trees.

mall for: ,

the earth in

In

See page 8 for integrated activities

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--- . Activity 2 .

The Grassy ,Area

opk for:living and non-living things.aMate notice different habitats andgrowth patterns.

compare life styles and anatomy.observe specific areasby making transects,

laying down hoops or measuring offmetre squares.

compare findings.remove small clod of grassand earth.investigate fQr content.

Listen, touch and smell as for concrete area.

TRANSECT OF GRASSY AREA

draw a line between twointeresting places, egbetween a tree and a bank.collect samples along thisline.

leaf litter

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Activity 3Trees and Leaf Litter \

ook atshape-of trees, foliage, flowers,fruit, bark, root formation.

whether deciduous,evergreen, coniferoustrunks and make estimatesand measurements of height and girth.

,.'hook for' living things under the....- .... IW - minibeasts, birds, reptiles ?-hat tree.

..-.- have the tree for a home. life in the leaf litter.--oft-- how they protect discover small creatures by

themselves through camouflage using an earth sieve forand defence mechanisms. this experiment.

shadows and shadow patterns.reasons; if any, for positions of trees, and presentusage by the school community.

Listen touch and smell as for concrete area.

EXPERIMENT WITH lamp is left on overnight or forLEAF LITTER.

glass container

several hours.

leaf litter

bugs drop cfown----

large funnel

wire netting

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Activity 4Water in The Playground

,1 POOLS AND PUDDLES

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Watchfor change in Water leveland investigate causewhat happens if wateris polluted e g

detergent added topuddle

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,tLook

at the skin of the water.down through the water.for reflectionsfor floating thingsfor animals and plants

living on or in thewater

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2 CREEKS

as before whereapplicable

explore bed of creek, mud,sand, pebbles, rocks,water weeds.note direction and flowof water.

note places where directionand flow changes.why?observe animals and plantsin moving water.

note differences andsimilarities.

Listen, touch, smell and taste(at teacher's discretion)

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Activity 5Looking Upwards

looking upwards forclouds, cloud cover,colour, shape, high or low,kinds of clouds, weatherpredictions. for movement of clouds,

trees, birds, smoke,weather vanes, fla6S,washing, dust, aeroplanes,kites.

for affect of wind or activityand speed of movementsin sky.windless day nomovement.

patterns and shapesfor rainbows.atrrnrjhei-ic pollution andbushfires

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Listen. smell and feel

Activity 6

History and Change

look for:evidence of change.signs indicating former useof playground.remains of bush.

remains of orcl/ards,former agricultural orhorticultural use.

; foundations or otherevidence of old buildingsites, wells, etc.domeStic artifacts

research history by consulting:home libraries.,old church records.Land's Department library.parent knowledge.

,community residents.

4^11114,Mt.z.

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Concluding Activities

make a model of the playground.make dioramas depicting different areas.ma4 a school shadow clock.act a play about the life of plants and animals founcreate an ideal playground in any medium.establish a nature trail or "Use Your Senses" trail.

THE "USE YOUR SENSES" TRAIL

S.P. = starting point

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Examples of stopson the trail

2 Macinlamia Nut.look up and see the'nuts.not ripe till they fall.feel prickles on leafedge.

8 Peppermint Gum.smell one leaf crushedby your teacher.

12 Angophora.look at the beautifultree.look and listen forbirds.feel smooth, rustybark.look for insects.

Resources

Books for Teachers and ChildrenSCIENCE 5/13Early Investigations 1 & 2Early ExperiencesEarly ExplorationMinibeastTreesTackling Problems 1 & 2

Nuffild/CedoMathematics,The First Three Years-

Mass, Nuri

Science ExperiencesEnvironmental EducationField workTeachers' HandbookSeries of Bird BookletsAustralian Nature Seriesin C9lotA

Wonderland of NatureAustralian Wildflower Magic

MacDonald StartersCourse for Young Experimenters

Schoenheimer & WinchSilver in the SunlightI Can Touch the Sky

Films

Audio Visual Media

Catalogue of 16mm Films.Burwood Teaching Resource Centre.Focus on Self Development S.R.A.

MacDonald

Chambers, Murray, Wiley

2t)

Franklin Watts

Gould League N.S.W.Gould League N.S.W.

Gould League Vic.

Reed

Writers PressWriters Press

MacDonaldOak Tree Press

Jacaranda PressJacaranda Press

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