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A LOCAL WAY OF LEARNING


Title:

Author:


Grade Level:

Concepts:
2. Ecosystems
7. Land Use
9. Change
12.Stewardship


OUR SCHOOLYARD MAP

Eulalie R. Rivera Elementary School
Environmental Education Team

4-6


Disciplines:
1.Mathematics
2.Language Arts
3.Social Studies


Objective:

Using appropriate units of measure, students will plot on the graph the size of
the schoolyard, locate buildings) and other landscape features, and make
qualitative judgments on appearance as well as suggest improvements.

Rationale:

Students can learn math and language skills in their immediate environment, the
schoolyard. We start by looking at the whole picture, and make some judgments
on the overall quality of this physical learning environment.

Materials Needed:

Graph paper, measuring devices, U.S. or Metric

Directions/Activity:

1. The teacher and class need to pre-determine the approximate scale to be used
so that graph plotting will be in relative proportion to actual size. The
additional skill of conversion may also be taught. Students may be organized
into tears of three.

2. Considering the size of the schoolyard and the buildings) determine an
approximate scale in order to plot the yard and buildings on the graph paper.


actual feet will equal scale of

actual meters will equal scale of


inches.


millimeters.


3. Using a U.S. standard or metric tape measure or pre-measured string knotted
for yards or meters:

a. Measure and plot the boundaries of the schoolyard on the graph.


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OUR SCHOOLYARD MAP

b. Measure and locate approximately other major features found in the
schoolyard: i.e. trees, bushes play equipment, drives, sidewalks, etc.

4. In a short paragraph, tell if and why the schoolyard and buildings are
attractive or unattractive surroundings.















5.What improvements could be made 'to the schoolyard and buildings that would
make them a better place for learning? You might write this in a short
paragraph, make a list, and/or note them on your graph plot using a different
colored pen or pencil.


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OUR SCHOOLYARD MAP E-63