Field Investigation

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Fifth grade students explored the church garden for the Science lab “Is it a Plant?”  Students took their lab sheet, pencils, and color pencils with them to the garden.  In the garden were ferns, coniferous plants (pine tree), angiosperms (flowering plants), mushrooms (fungi, not a plant), and lichen (not a plant).  Students used their notes and observations to identify the specimens as plants or species from other kingdoms.

Results:

• Fifth grade students used the church garden as an outdoor classroom for field investigations.
• Students identified specimens as plants or species from other kingdoms.
• Students enjoyed being outdoors!
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How can your school use an outdoor classroom?

1. 1. Determine the objective for the field investigation.
2. 2. Clearly explain the procedure for the outdoor classroom.  For example, no running is allowed.  Students may not take specimens without teacher approval.