### Lesson Plan: Exploring Nature
**Grade Level:** Year 1
**Subject:** Science
**Duration:** 45 minutes
**Topic:** Exploring Nature
**Objective:**
- Students will be able to identify different elements of nature including plants, animals, and natural materials.
- Students will understand the basic needs of plants and animals.
- Students will develop observational skills by exploring nature through a guided outdoor activity.
**Materials Needed:**
- Nature observation sheets (with pictures and names of common plants, animals, and natural materials)
- Clipboards
- Pencils
- Magnifying glasses
- Collection bags (for non-living items only)
- Blank paper for drawing
- Crayons and markers
**Standards:**
- NGSS K-LS1-1: Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
- NGSS K-ESS2-1: Use and share observations of local weather conditions to describe patterns over time.
**Lesson Outline:**
**Introduction (10 minutes):**
1. **Greeting and Attendance (2 minutes)**
- Greet students and take attendance.
2. **Hook: Nature Mystery Box (3 minutes)**
- Present a box with natural items inside (leaves, rocks, a pinecone, etc.). Pull out each item one by one and ask students to guess what they are.
3. **Discussion (5 minutes)**
- Briefly discuss what nature is and why it’s important.
- Explain that today they will be little scientists exploring the nature around them.
**Main Activity (25 minutes):**
1. **Nature Walk and Observation (20 minutes)**
- Lead students on a supervised walk around the school grounds or a nearby park.
- Hand out nature observation sheets, clipboards, pencils, and magnifying glasses.
- Encourage them to look for specific items on their observation sheet (different types of plants, birds, insects, rocks, etc.).
- Remind them to only collect non-living things and to observe living things.
- Guide them to make observations about what they see, hear, smell, and feel.
2. **Collecting Non-living Items (5 minutes)**
- Allow students to collect a few non-living nature items (e.g., fallen leaves, rocks) to bring back to the classroom.
**Closing Activity (10 minutes):**
1. **Sharing Observations (5 minutes)**
- Return to the classroom and have students sit in a circle.
- Ask students to share one observation or interesting thing they found during their nature walk.
2. **Drawing and Reflection (5 minutes)**
- Hand out blank paper, crayons, and markers.
- Ask students to draw their favorite thing they observed in nature.
- Encourage them to use colors and details in their drawings.
- Optional: Label parts of their drawing with the words they've learned (e.g., leaf, rock, bird).
**Assessment:**
- Informal assessment through observation of students during the nature walk.
- Review of observation sheets.
- Evaluation of students’ drawings and their ability to verbally describe their observations.
**Extension Activity:**
- Create a class nature journal with each student's drawing and a sentence or two about their favorite nature observation.
- Plant a small garden or classroom indoor plant to observe growth and learn about what plants need to thrive.
**Homework:**
- Ask students to find one additional natural item at home and bring it to the next class (e.g., a leaf, a small rock) to share with the class.
**Reflection:**
- After the lesson, reflect on what went well and what could be improved. Make note of any students who may need additional support or extension activities.
With this lesson plan, Year 1 students will gain a hands-on understanding of nature, develop observation skills, and foster a sense of curiosity about the natural world around them.