What are the creatures in our backyard, and how can we care for them?
In a Grade 4 classroom, the teacher asked the driving questions, “What are the creatures in our backyard, and how can we care for them?” These questions began a month-long interdisciplinary investigation of the neighbourhood’s green spaces. Learners conducted a field study where they documented what they noticed, using the five senses (sight, smell, touch, taste, sound) in different areas of the school yard and neighbouring park. They made observations and field notes about the different insects, soil conditions, and plant life as they studied the elements of the local ecosystem in their neighbourhood. They began to ask their own relevant questions driven by their newfound curiosity about their surroundings and their experience of taking part in an in-depth field study, which was new to most.
As part of their study, learners discovered that pollinators were in danger because of loss of habitat, and they considered the implications of that loss. They also investigated bees and butterflies through a series of continued outdoor experiences, expert visitors, videos, and readings, including Flower Talk by Sara C. Levine, What is Pollination? by Bobbie Kalman, and Know Your Pollinators by Tim Harris. They learned how the habitat of these creatures was being threatened, how they could support it, and about the plants that the pollinators were attracted to naturally in their “backyard.” Next, learners worked in teams to do further research into specific pollinators and plants, using multiple sources.
In their teams, learners designed plans to share their new and important learning in a variety of ways and contexts to make a difference. They started by brainstorming strategies to best support the pollinators. The teams created plans and adjusted them as needed to meet their goal, presenting their proposed strategies to their classmates for feedback and adapting their plans as needed.
One group decided to assist the local eco-system of their own school “backyard” by planting the specific species of plants the pollinators were attracted to in the school gardens. Another group aspired to have an impact on the community in a broader way by building the awareness of their families, neighbourhood, and beyond by creating brochures about pollinators and the plants that would attract them. One group focused on the school community by presenting their findings with a slideshow at a school assembly. The final group planned a social media campaign using their classroom Twitter and Instagram accounts, reaching an even broader audience. In the end, the groups reflected on their process as well as the impact they felt their learning and design plans had on others.
Harris, Tim. Know Your Pollinators. Old Pond Books, 2020.
Kalman, Bobbie. What is Pollination? Crabtree Publishing, 2010.
Levine, Sara C. Flower Talk: How Plants Use Color to Communicate. Illustrated by Masha D’yans, Millbrook Press, 2019.
