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Must we always teach our children with books? Let them look at the mountains and the stars up above. Let them look at the beauty of the waters and the trees and flowers on earth. They will then begin to think, and to think is the beginning of a real education.
- David Polis

Nevada Outdoor School Environmental Education Program

NOS has developed new and improved outdoor/environmental education lessons that are grounded in hands on, inquiry based science in hopes of trying to better align our program with the curriculum of the Humboldt County School District. Check out what's new with our program!

New Themes—Each grade level is given a yearly theme that aligns to the benchmarks and standards of that grade level. Furthermore, every lesson that we teach will build on the foundation of those standards and relate back to the yearly theme.

New Units of Study—We have divided each month into a different unit of study, aligning our lessons with what the schools are already teaching during certain times of the year.

New Lessons—Each lesson will be geared towards a different grade level so students are not getting repeated lessons year-after-year. Each lesson specifies the grade level and the power standards it relates to in addition to being accredited through the North American Association for Environmental Education Environmental Excellence Standards.

Please click on this link to view the Nevada Outdoor School Classroom lesson matrix 2007-2008

Teacher Training
Lesson Evaluation

Please click on any grade below to see lesson plans and supplemental hands on inquiry based curriculum. Lessons with an * may be adapted and used for various grade levels at your discretion.

Kindergarten
Kindergarten--Nature's ABCs

Students will be able to explore all of Nature's favorite concepts in order to get excited about Nature. They will be able to learn about dinosaurs, play with worms, understand why it snows, and why plants grow. These lessons encourage the students to open up their minds and eyes to the environment around them.

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First Grade--Senses in Nature

Children explore Nature by engaging their five senses. The outdoor world opens up to them as they use senses other than just sight to make observations regarding the color, size, shape, and weight of natural materials.

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Second Grade--Changing Seasons

The natural world is discovered through learning about the changing seasons. Students explore the natural cycles, plant and animal adaptations, and the constellations. Students will be able to understand that change is an important part of nature.

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Third Grade--Geography

Maps and diagrams come alive through lessons on fossils, plate tectonics, and glaciers. Students use the scientific process to conduct investigations, collect and record data, and make conclusions.

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Fourth Grade--Incredible Journey

Students are transformed into pioneers of exploration as they learn about life on the Emigrant Trail, study the stars and planets, and experiment with solar transportation.

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Fifth Grade--Earth and Sky

Many aspects of the Earth and Sky are explored by students using a variety of learning methods. Students will be able to make art using their natural resources, explore the planets in a star laboratory, or survive the wilderness by learning survival skills.

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Sixth grade--Forces in Nature

Students are introduced to the forces in nature that power this world. They will be able to experience and understand different forces in nature like glaciers, volcanoes, natural cycles, and energy from the sun.

 

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