Observing Change over Time
Adapted from a lesson by Carol Davidson and Christine Pesceone ASGI 1995

Overview:

In this activity 4/5 students will buddy with second graders to gather field data, analyzing a transect of vegetation in a neighborhood park. They will then observe these transects over the school year with a minimum of three visits. These observations will enable the students to answer the question: "How does vegetation in a specific area change over time?" The fieldwork will include skills in compass work, measurement readings, temperature and basic observation and classification.

Connection with the Curriculum: Geography, science, math, language arts, art

Teaching Level 2-5

Connection to State Content Standards:

2 Identify the physical and human characteristics of places
4 Explain how humans and the physical environment impact and influence each other

Connection to National Standards:

3 How to analyze the spatial organization of people, places and environments
4 The physical and human characteristics of places
8 The characteristics and spatial distribution of ecosystems on Earth's surface

Materials:

Compass
Grids (string, hula-hoops, etc.)
Clipboards
Lab sheets
Thermometers
Tape measures
Slope indicators
Field bags (zip loc.)
Writing utensils
Fieldwork data sheet with names
Location and date
Places for air and soil temperature
Slope and humidity
Include a section to list each guild and a space for a sketch of the site.

Procedure:

    1. Prior to the lesson, students should be instructed in identifying and classifying guilds - shrubs, trees, rocks, grasses, forbs and soil. Older students should also be instructed in the use of a compass.
    2. Walk to the park with the buddies. Identify guilds along the way in groups of four, matching two primary to two intermediate students. Give one field sheet and clipboard per group.
    3. Groups choose a site to observe, placing their grids on the site. Students then record data on field sheets, after measuring site to determine perimeter and area. Students take air temperature with thermometer and record. Students take soil temperature and record. Older students take measurements. Primary students observe and record. Slope measurement to be taken on third visit to site with intermediate students after classroom instruction. Humidity measurement is taken on third visit to site as above.
    4. Groups of four will work together to graph temperature of air and soil over time. Groups make pictorial display and label guilds of site after each visit. In late spring, after third visit, groups will present their graphs and pictorial displays to whole group, inviting special guests to observe.

Extensions:

Primary: Literature - read books related to seasonal change and flora
Art - Teach discipline based art lessons on texture, shape and color
Math - measuring activities science - integrate into weather study and apply skills more extensively Intermediate: Literature - integrate Native American literature focusing on vegetation and landforms
Art - teach discipline based art lessons on shading, tinting, perspective and use of texture
Math - perimeter, area, percentages, fractions and averaging, use of graphs
Science - construct and use a clinometer, observe, classify, record and present data

Suggested Assessment

Scoring Guide for Model Lesson "Observing Change Over Time"

4
All pictorial displays of transect include a border, title, scale (if applicable), direction cross, legend, area, perimeter, slope of site, and vegetation.
All required measurements are recorded accurately on data sheets.
All air and soil temperatures of site are graphed accurately.
All graphs are neat; axes are labeled and include title.

 

3
Most pictorial displays of transect include a border, title, scale (if applicable), direction cross, legend, area, perimeter, slope of site, and vegetation.
Most required measurements are recorded accurately on data sheets.
Most air and soil temperatures of site are graphed accurately.
Most graphs are neat; axes are labeled and include title.

 

2
Some pictorial displays of transect include a border, title, scale (if applicable), direction cross, legend, area, perimeter, slope of site, and vegetation.
Some required measurements are recorded accurately on data sheets.
Some air and soil temperatures of site are graphed accurately.
Some graphs are neat; axes are labeled and include title.

 

1
A few pictorial displays of transect include a border, title, scale (if applicable), direction cross, legend, area, perimeter, slope of site, and vegetation.
A few required measurements are recorded accurately on data sheets.
A few air and soil temperatures of site are graphed accurately.
A few graphs are neat; axes are labeled and include title.