Nature Cities

Notes from our reviewers

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• Teaching Tips
  No previous knowledge or skill is required prior to completing the lesson, and some modifications are provided, for example, for students who don't write as much, they can draw. For students who can write more, can draw less. Teachers walk through the lesson via slideshow. It includes an introduction, followed by a story, followed by inquiry and student engagement (see student worksheets), followed by a hands-on experiment and reflection. The student engagement could be completed as a whole class, independently, in pairs, or in small groups.
• About the Science
  The major scientific idea in this lesson are the benefits of having nature in cities, or creating green-scapes in areas which would otherwise be mostly concrete. The lesson concludes that temperatures are generally found to be lower on green surfaces rather than concrete or asphalt surfaces. The data that is used in the lesson will vary based on each classroom as it is self generated data, taking temperature measurements in two different locations. Passed initial science review - expert science review pending.
• About the Pedagogy
  This lesson has clear learning objectives that follow a natural order of sequences. This thorough lesson will give students a basic grasp of the value of preserving green spaces in urban areas to mitigate the effects of urban heat islands and climate change. Diverse language learners can learn through illustrations in the book, video, and slides.
• Technical Details/Ease of Use
  Teachers will need to have the ability to show the slideshow and videos, and gain access to the book The Extraordinary Gardener by Sam Boughton. The activity does a great job of scaffolding the lesson, building from a book to the slideshow to the art activity.