Teacher Resources

Outdoor U Distance Learning Resources

Nature Near Me

Nature Near Me Units are designed to get K-3 students looking in their own schoolyards and neighboorhoods for nature that surrounds them everyday.

Animal Tracks - Overview
Activities referenced in overview:

• CSI Backyard
• Hop To It!
• Where Did They Go?
• Snart (Snow Art)
• Imaginary Track Stories

Winter Animal Survival - Overview
Activities referenced in overview:

• Winter Buddies
• Go for the Gold!
• Winter Buddies - Art Extension
• Mini Winter Homes

Plants - Overview
Activities referenced in overview: 

• Plant Parts Jigsaw
• Plant Survival Relay
• Plant Scavenger Hunt
• Botany Buddies
• Plant Parts - Art Extension
• Nature Journaling

Insects (coming in May) 

Virtual Fieldtrip on Boardwalk Loop

Outdoor U Naturalist Sarah Gainey and some of her favorite Nature Explorers explore the prairie, wetland, and forest habitats along the Boardwalk Loop trail. 15 minute video with minimal narration. Links to additional videos for at home activities are below.

At Home Activities

To connect with the virtual field trip, CSB/SJU Student Naturalists Maddie, Grace, and Carolyn made short, narrated videos of themselves exploring nature around their homes, both indoors and out, with easy at home activities students can do too.

• Wetland habitat at home activity sheet
  • Maddie's video (outdoors)
  • Gracie's video (outdoors)
  • Carolyn's video (indoors)
• Prairie habitat at home activity sheet
  • Maddie's video (indoors)
  • Gracie's video (outdoors)
  • Carolyn's video (outdoors)
• Forest habitat at home activity sheet
  • Maddie's video (outdoors)
  • Gracie's video (indoors)
  • Carolyn's video (outdoors)

Resource List

This curated list includes videos and activities to help address specific topics and concepts that would have been covered during specific field trips. 

• Additional online resources to help kids connect to nature

Outdoor U Field Trips

Teacher Forms
Curriculum
Field Trip Request Form

 

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