Topic: Naturalist's rulebook

Author: Zyta Sendecka

Target group

Students of the 4th grade of an elementary school.

Core curriculum

The general aim of education

The students name the sense organs and determine their role in understanding nature and the principles of safe work of a naturalist.

Criteria of success

• name five senses and sense organs;

• name the necessary rules of a naturalist's work in the laboratory;

• name the rules of a naturalist's work in the field;

Key competences

• communication in the mother tongue; 

• communication in foreign languages;

• digital competence; 

• learning to learn; 

• social and civic competences.

Methods/techniques

Conversation, work with text, workshop method, and „green pencil” method.

Individual work and group work.

Teaching aids

• abstract;

• interactive or traditional board;

• tablets/computers;

• various exhibits related and unrelated to a naturalist’s work.

Lesson plan overview (Process)

Before lesson

Before the lesson, the teacher prepares various exhibits, e.g. binoculars, magnifying glass, microscope, telescope, various atlases, notebook, pencil, protective gown, goggles, rubber gloves, backpack, measuring tape, compass and other items - unrelated to the lesson topic, e.g. toy, towel, soap, etc. The exhibits should be collected in one place at the beginning of the lesson and covered (e.g. with material).

Introduction

• The teacher asks the students to explain what a naturalist's work is about and what he needs to do. The teacher writes the ideas on the board.

• The teacher gives the topic, the goals of the lesson in a language understandable for the student, and the criteria of success.

Realization

• The teacher introduces the students to a graphic entitled „Human sense organs”, and asks them to do the task entitled „Think about what senses you use when: ...”, saving the answers in their notebooks. After a certain time, the teacher asks the selected students to read their suggestions. Other students verify the correctness of the answers, and give justifications.

• The teacher divides the class (preferably randomly) into two groups. Each group draws a task: „Choose a person among you whom you will prepare for work in the laboratory/field. Use the exhibits prepared by the teacher. Then, choose a person who will explain why you think a naturalist prepared for work in a particular place looks like this.”

• The teacher shows the collected exhibits, the students choose the items necessary to complete the task.

• The students present the effects of group work.

• The teacher asks the students to verify their choices when the film is played.

• The teacher asks the students to take the abstract and search for the safety rules which should be observed by the naturalist in the laboratory and in the field, and write them down in the notebook.

Summary

• The teacher returns to the notes on the blackboard from the beginning of the lesson concerning the naturalist's work. The teacher asks the chosen student to highlight green those statements that are correct.

• Then, the students perform an interactive task themselves.

The following terms and recordings will be used during this lesson

Terms

Texts and recordings

Naturalist's rulebook

The work of a naturalist is very interesting and creates opportunities to observe many fascinating phenomena. However, it is sometimes dangerous. That is why a naturalist must know how to avoid accidents both in a laboratory, and during field work. In this chapter you will learn how to study nature in safety.

People explore their surroundings with senses. There are five basic senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch.

Eye is the organ of sight. It lets us know if it is light or dark, enables us to detect movement and recognise shapes and colours. We may distinguish the latter, however, only if there is enough light. Ear is the organ of hearing and balance. It lets us hear, but also within ears there is a organ that enables us to keep the balance. Nose is the organ of smell (detecting odours). It lets us detect the presence of particles of various substances floating in the air. Tongue is humans’ organ of taste; it also detects particles of substances, but this time in food. We receive tactile sensations through cells located in the skin. They let us feel heat, cold, pressure and pain.

You should know, that the senses of taste and smell are connected. That is why when you are cold and your nose is blocked your food tastes differently.

When we observe an object or experience, we can use each of our senses. For example, by observing the changes taking place while making the dough, we use our eyes to assess the amount of ingredients added, the touch to determine whether the dough is well‑made and taste to see if we have added enough sugar. Later, making sure that the dough is baked well, we use eyesight, smell and taste to check that it is not burnt.

We already know what senses we use to explore nature. It is now important to learn how to protect them so that nothing bad happens to us.

For certain experiments in the lab you may need sharp tools, chemical reagents or a gas burner. Remember that you should always perform dangerous experiments in the presence of an adult and use protective clothing, such as lab apron (lab coat), protective goggles and latex gloves.

When you plan a field observation remember to prepare yourself well before you leave home. Carefully pack your backpack: take a binocular, notepad and pencil or pen and a camera. Do not forget to take something to eat and a bottle of water. Make sure you dress appropriately to the weather and take a first aid kit. When out in the field never approach wild animals - even those that seem small and friendly. They may be more dangerous than it seems. Some of them may carry dangerous diseases, e.g. rabies.

There are many fascinating places and phenomena in nature and watching them may be a unique experience. Some of them, however, are dangerous to us. Remember to observe those from a safe distance!

• Man has five senses (sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch), thanks to which he can get to know nature.

• Adequate precautions should be taken when carrying out environmental research.