"The trees and the sound of the air and a breeze and the birds are like the sound of music. It is everything. It is nature,"said 2nd grader Katie.

Annie's Big Nature Lesson

“A one-week nature immersion.”

Annie’s Big Nature Lesson(A..B.N.L.)

Harris Nature Center

September 30th-October 4th Mrs. Shoemake & Mrs. Fahner

2nd Grade

The Mission of ABNL

To immerse children, teachers, and parents in the beauty and wonder of the natural world; to engage them in authentic scientific

investigations by observing the local ecology, drawing and writing; to nurture citizens who value and protect natural resources; and to

build a school-community partnership that inspires responsible environmental stewardship.

This isn’t just a “field trip” – this is a “study trip.”

Ann Mason

Annie’s Big Nature Lesson is named in honor of Ann Mason, environmentalist

from Clinton County, who devoted her life to taking care of the environment and

educating the public about their responsibility for stewardship of the ear.

What Students Will Be Doing…

Each day students will...

• Explore different habitats: coniferous forest, pond, deciduous forest, river, and prairie(meadow).

• Spend 1 hour observing outdoors - sketching, writing, and pondering.

• Participant in daily lessons from the on-site Naturalist.

• Participant in daily teacher-led lessons.

“In the Big Lesson model, teachers and students use the community resources as their classroom for a week. Changing the concept of the traditional field trip to an all-day, all-week interdisciplinary study trip, this experience includes behind-the-scenes tours, presentations by community experts, and groups of students working cooperatively on research.”

How Parents Can HelpParents are active participants!

• Help chaperone – ½ day or whole day

• Actively participate and guide students as they learn.

• Assist teacher with set-up/clean-up as needed.

Parents are invited to teach with the teacher and to learn with the children. They write in journals, participate in the lessons, and conduct small group discussions. Their role is not to act as chaperones, but as

co-teachers and co-learners."

Daily Observation TimeSetting clear expectations...

(Students are expected to sit away from each other.

There is NO talking or sharing at this time.)

Parent Chaperons are responsible for:

•Assuring each child is dressed appropriately

•Helping students find own area to observe – you may have to assign.

Students will be needing…

• A snack

• A sack lunch (with disposable drink)

• A water bottle

• An umbrella or poncho

• Weather-appropriate clothing – boots or old shoes

• Other items may include: extra socks, mittens, pants, disposable camera, binoculars

More information will be coming home as time gets closer...

We look forward to sharing this experience with you and your child!

Questions?? Email or call your child’s teacher!