Waffle Bytes

(Part of our Stay-At-Home series focused on practical ways you can use a resource to foster creativity, connections, and collaboration.) Parents - There is a growing body of research that shows being outside in nature can have positive benefits for our mental well-being.  With what we are dealing with currently, I think we all can use activities that are good for our mental health. Go for a walk There are many activities that you can do while walking.  Here are some suggestions to make it an learning adventure: Make Observations Have kids share or journal what they experienced with their senses during the walk.  For instance, today I saw  our mating crane pair was back from the south, I felt  my face warm on one side from the sun and cool on the other from the wind, I heard  the frogs that have returned to the creek.  You could even showcase a sense a day! Observe the clouds, the weather, wildlife, insects, amount/types of traffic Look for...

Check out these upcoming community science opportunities hosted by MI Birds partners across the state: From the Michigan Department of Natural Resources -  Another round of winter bird counts is on the horizon The Great Backyard Bird Count  (Feb. 15-18):  This four-day event, coordinated by Audubon and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, invites people all over the world to record their bird observations in their own backyards for at least 15 minutes. All ages and birding levels are welcome, and you can participate in any or all of the four days. Last year, over 190,000 people participated in this global bird count, and Michigan was among the top 10 participating states, with a total of 3,890 checklists submitted. Project FeederWatch  (various dates, November through April):  This winterlong community science project, organized by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Bird Studies Canada, is much like the Christmas Bird Count. Here’s what you need to know if...

From the Michigan Department of Natural Resources: On Nov. 14, second- through fourth-grade students across the state will join in a one-day adventure designed to teach them about the importance of white-tailed deer. This day, fondly called “Deer Camp,” is full of fun activities for all school subjects. Once you register, you’ll receive a packet of activities that you can do throughout the day (or pick a few if you are limited on time). The activities cover a variety of subjects, including science, math, English, gym and art. You also will get a PowerPoint presentation as an optional aid to guide discussions. Deer Camp is designed for second through fourth grades, but all educators are welcome to participate! Please be aware that you may need to modify lessons and activities if you are using the materials with younger or older students. If you would like to participate, please register by Nov. 13. Register for Deer Camp curriculum  ► Explore additional DN...

Looking for some activities that focus on the Great Lakes?  Check out the Center for Great Lakes Literacy ! The site includes curriculum resources, professional development and webinars that you can use to help tie your science lessons to the Great Lakes.  Many lessons in the curriculum resources are multi-disciplinary and convey the complexity of problems faced when looking at Great Lakes issues.    Additionally, teachers may apply to for a shipboard professional development opportunity.  Selected teachers spend a week aboard a research vessel on one of the Great Lakes, working alongside and learning from scientist.  Housing and meals are provided for this experience, along with a $500 stipend.  The target audience is educators in the Great Lakes basin. that work with 4th-12th grade students

Being public supported, PBS provides many videos that are available for teachers to use in their classrooms. But did you know some of their series provides teaching resources free for your use?  Check out the series Nature .  If you go to the Classroom section, they have provided video clips from episodes, along with teaching resources and relationship to educational standards.  Notice on the example below they list the grade levels that the resource is appropriate for along with the permitted use of the materials - A great free resource to bring in actual video related to your teaching!