Subject: We’re going on a trip

Author: Zyta Sendecka

Target group

4th grade student of elementary school (new core curriculum).

Core curriculum

4th grade

I. Ways of learning about nature. Student:

2) gives the names of the tools used when learning about nature, specifies their purpose (magnifier, compass, tape measure).

Lesson objective

Students shall prepare themselves for a hike in a proper manner.

The criteria for success

• you will select the right things necessary for a hike;

• you will list the safety precautions to be taken during your trip, field observations or when moving on the street.

Key competences

• communication in the mother tongue;

• communication in foreign languages;

• mathematical competence and basis competences in science and technology; 

• digital competence;

• learning to learn;

• social and civic competences.

Methods/forms of work

Talk, working with the text, working with the film.

Individual activity and activity in pairs.

Teaching aids

• abstract;

• interactive whiteboard;

• tablets/computers;

• equipment necessary for a one‑day trip and appropriate outfit.

Before classes

The students prepare equipment necessary for a one‑day trip and appropriate outfit. They come to the lesson wearing this outfit and carrying a backpack with all the things they consider necessary. The teacher informs the parents that such a lesson is planned to get them help children collect the equipment.

Lesson plan overview

Introduction

1. The teacher, referring to the information students learned in previous lessons, asks the students:
   ● Why should we be active: walking, cycling, running?
   ● Explain how outdoor activities affect our well‑being?

2. Students do interactive exercise no. 1 and interactive exercise no. 3 in the form of an individual activity.

3. The teacher writes the subject on the board, gives the lesson objectives in a language the student understands, and the criteria for success.

Realization

1. The teacher gives the students five minutes to discuss in pairs the answer to the following question: “Why people go hiking?”. After this time, the students give their answers. The teacher writes them down on the board and points out to the educational aspect of a hike.

2. The teacher plays the film entitled “What to take for a trip?”.

3. The students unpack the items they brought in their backpacks putting them on the desk. The teacher encourages the students to divide them into necessary and redundant ones. If they lack something, they should place a card with the name of such an item written on it next to the necessary equipment set.

4. Volunteer students present their equipment. Other students assess if the items that the volunteer students chose are really necessary for a hike and whether some essential accessories are missing.

5. The teacher instructs the students to search in the text for the rules they should follow in order to protect themselves against possible dangers during the trip.

6. The teacher displays on the interactive whiteboard a list of various ways of conduct during a hike, like:

• we pick up all the mushrooms;

• we feed swans;

• we move on the left side of the road;

• we eat red fruit;

• we follow a designated route;

• we stop when looking through binoculars.

The students copy to their notebooks only those that ensure safety. A volunteer students presents them to the whole class. The teacher corrects the mistakes and comments on the correct answers.

Summary

1. Students do interactive task no. 2 in the form of an individual activity.

2. The teacher asks the selected student to finish the following sentence:
   “In today’s lesson I have learned that...”.

The following terms and recordings will be used during this lesson

Terms

Texts and recordings

We’re going on a trip

On every hike, you can see many phenomena, animals and plants. Nature is full of surprises waiting to be discovered. You just need to know how to find them. When going on a hike, it is worth equipping yourself with a few helpful instruments that will make it easier for you to observe nature.
One such object is the magnifying glass. For example, you may use it take a close look at small insects or plant leaves.

Remember that while observing nature you cannot interfere in the environment of organisms or disturb their natural rhythm of life. Therefore, to take a closer look at objects far away from you, take your binoculars on the trip. These are particularly useful when observing animals. You don't have to approach or worry them.

If you are planning to observe objects that are very far away, a telescope is certainly a good choice. Thanks to it, you can see not only animals (e.g. birds on a large lake or roe deer grazing far in the field), but also the Moon and stars. The telescope offers magnification even several times greater than that of binoculars, so it won't work in areas where visibility is limited, e.g., in the forest.

If you want to go on a hike, in addition to the instruments for nature observation, you should also prepare other aids. These are atlases and guidebooks, in which you will find a lot of interesting information about the surrounding plants and animals. If you go on a tour of areas of great natural value, such as nature reserves or national parks, you can find out in advance what plants and animals you can encounter there from books or the Internet. You may also find tips on where to look for sites for species that interest you.
It is worth documenting your observations. That's why a naturalist always takes their notebook and pen with them. A photo camera may also come in handy, even if it is very simple. Photographs are a valuable proof of conducted research and, at the same time, a nice souvenir.

For a hike to be a source of pleasure and many interesting observations, you need to prepare for it properly. This is why it is worth taking care of appropriate clothing, especially shoes. Remember that ordinary sneakers are not suitable for long walks in the field. For such expeditions it is best to wear laced boots reaching above the ankles. This will help you avoid injuries in the event of a fall. The sole should be grooved – to prevent slippage. And don't forget to wear a waterproof jacket – so you won't get wet when surprised by rain. Also, get a pair of sunglasses and a hat to protect you from the sun.

Valuable natural areas often lie far from cities and villages. This is why it is very important to plan your transport. Remember that buses and trains follow a timetable. It is therefore good to note at which time our means of transport departs. This will help you to plan the rest of the trip. To ensure that your trip does not end in a hospital visit, you must follow a few basic rules related to traffic safety.

• Observe the traffic rules already on your way to the starting point of your trip – cross the road in the places designated for doing so. If there are traffic lights at the crossing – do not cross on a red light.

• Before stepping onto the roadway, carefully look around and let the passing cars go first.

• Walk on the sidewalk and, if there isn't one – on the left shoulder of the road.

• If you are, e.g., in a reserve, do not leave the trail – it is illegal to do so and it may have a negative impact on nature.

• Look at your feet! Large stones, boulders or branches lying on the trail can cause tripping or even serious injury.

It is very important to be careful when observing wild animals – they are rarely aggressive for no reason, but when defending themselves or their young, they can become very dangerous. This also applies to animals that seem to be completely harmless!

Not only animals, but also plants can be dangerous. Many of them contain poisonous compounds that can cause illness or even death. Never eat plants unknown to you, even if their fruits (e.g. berries) look appetizing. Remember that some plants can be dangerous, even if you don't eat them – even contact with them can cause irritation, rash or shortness of breath, for example.

• The magnifying glass, binoculars and telescope help you make field observations.

• You can refer to guidebooks and atlases for information on observed plant and animal species.

• Remember to prepare clothes and equipment suitable for the terrain you will be trekking across.

• Be careful when walking outdoors.