Grow Up Great
Note: This lesson requires a walk outside.
The natural world is full of many fascinating processes. Children’s interest in the outdoors is seemingly endless, and they are naturally very curious. Using all of their senses, children will thoroughly explore the sights, sounds, and smells of nature. As they explore on their own, they generate questions about their discoveries.
Exploring outdoors is a wonderful opportunity for children to actively engage in learning about nature. Nature provides many opportunities for discovery as things such as leaves, acorns, twigs, and buds fall to the ground. Even blades of grass can make some interesting investigating. Children’s awareness of the Earth and nature around them will be increased as outdoor exploration is incorporated throughout the year.
The natural world is full of many fascinating processes. Children’s interest in the outdoors is seemingly endless, and they are naturally very curious. Using all of their senses, children will thoroughly explore the sights, sounds, and smells of nature. As they explore on their own, they generate questions about their discoveries.
These lessons are aligned with the Common Core State Standards ("CCSS"). The CCSS provide a consistent, clear understanding of the concepts and skills children are expected to learn and guide teachers to provide their students with opportunities to gain these important skills and foundational knowledge.[2]
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There are currently no Common Core Standards for pre-k, but these lessons are aligned as closely as possible to capture the requirements and meet the goals of Common Core Standards. However, these lessons were neither reviewed or approved by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices or the Council of Chief State School Officers, which together are the owners and developers of the Common Core State Standards.
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