From Here to There: Noticing Nature

What You Need:

• Walking shoes
• Camera
• Sandbox or a patch of dirt
• Blocks or rocks, toy cars, trucks, and plastic bowls

What You Do:

1. Take a walk around the neighborhood, and notice the types of houses and chimneys on the street. Point out signs that indicate location.
2. Talk about the street that you live on, such as the number of houses, the size of the street, the trees in the yards, etc.
3. Ask your children to describe what they see, hear, and feel.
4. Walk to a nearby landmark, such as a playground, encouraging your child to notice the area around him.
5. Back at home, instruct your child to use sand, dirt, and toys to make a model of your neighborhood.
6. Take a picture of the model, and go back on the walk.
7. Ask your child to compare the model to your actual neighborhood. Have him take mental notes to change on his model.
8. At home, have him make adjustments to the model.