### Lesson Plan: Exploring Nature
**Age Group:** Reception (4-5 years old)
**Subject:** Science
**Duration:** 45 minutes
**Topic:** Exploring Nature
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**Objectives:**
- Introduce students to the concept of nature.
- Encourage observation and curiosity about the natural environment.
- Develop basic categorisation skills (e.g., living vs non-living things).
- Foster a connection with and appreciation for nature.
**Resources:**
- Picture books about nature (e.g. "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle)
- Magnifying glasses
- Collection trays or small buckets
- Nature scavenger hunt checklist (simple items like leaves, rocks, flowers)
- Art supplies (paper, crayons, markers)
- Large chart paper and markers
**Lesson Outline:**
1. **Introduction (10 minutes)**
- Begin with a short circle time where students sit around the teacher.
- Show the students a picture book about nature and read it aloud. Discuss the pictures and ask questions to engage the children (e.g., "What animals do you see?", "What colours can you spot in the trees?").
2. **Discussion (5 minutes)**
- Talk about what nature is and why it is important.
- Explain that they will be going outside to observe and collect natural items.
- Briefly discuss safety and the importance of being gentle and respectful to living things.
3. **Outdoor Activity: Nature Scavenger Hunt (20 minutes)**
- Hand out magnifying glasses and collection trays/buckets.
- Provide the children with a simple scavenger hunt checklist (pictures and words).
- Take the children on a guided walk around the school playground or nearby park.
- Encourage them to use the magnifying glasses to look closely at different items.
4. **Indoor Follow-Up Activity (5 minutes)**
- Once back inside, gather the children around a large table.
- Discuss what everyone found. Use the chart paper to create a list of items and categorise them into “Living” and “Non-Living”.
- Allow each student to share a favourite find and describe it.
5. **Art Activity (5-10 minutes)**
- Provide the students with paper and crayons or markers.
- Ask them to draw one item they found during the scavenger hunt.
- Display their drawings on the classroom wall to create a nature mural.
6. **Conclusion (5 minutes)**
- Recap the day's activities and discuss what the children learned.
- Sing a nature-related song or rhyme to end the lesson on a joyful note.
- Encourage the students to continue exploring nature in their own time and to share their experiences with their families.
**Assessment:**
- Observe student participation and engagement during the activities.
- Listen to the children’s descriptions of their finds and check for understanding.
- Review their drawings for attention to detail and ability to recall the outdoor experience.
**Extension:**
- Plan more nature walks and scavenger hunts focussing on different themes (e.g., specific animals or plants).
- Create a nature corner in the classroom with books, objects, and pictures related to the topic.
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**Note:** Always ensure to consider the safety and allergies of the children when planning outdoor activities and handling nature items.