Bay to Dunes
for Teachers
- Field Trip Activities & Games
- Supplemental Activities & Games
- Arts & Crafts
- Service Learning Activities
Activities & Games
Field Trip Activities & Games
Mudflat Investigation
Students explore the mudflats with bug boxes and find things that live in and on the mud.
Visual Aids: Saltmarsh Guide
Tide Activity
All students will work together acting as the earth and moon to enact high and low tides.
Web of Life
Uses string to connect various mudflat/ocean animals to show the interconnectedness of all life and the importance of each species.
Visual Aids: Web of Life Cards
Dipping into the Freshwater Marsh
Students collect, identify and observe wetland animals using dip nets, magnifiers and field guides.
Visual Aids: Pond Key, Freshwater Marsh Invertebrates
Wetland Metaphors
Use a selection of common objects and investigate how they might represent natural functions of wetlands.
Predator/Prey Game
Students learn about animal adaptations for survival while playing a game of hide and seek where "prey" will hide and the "predator" will attempt to find them.
Animal Tracking in the Dunes
Students search for signs of animals in the open sand, and identify animal tracks based on their characteristics.
Visual Aids: Animal Tracking Cards, Common Dune Animal Tracks
Fox in the Front Game
A game similar to "Red Light, Green Light" where students practice good techniques for viewing wildlife by trying to follow a "Gray Fox" without being seen or heard.
Supplemental Activities & Games
Animal Charades
Students will use their knowledge of local animals to play a game of charades.
Trash Timeline
Students will work together to figure out the relative order in which certain pieces of trash biodegrade.
Trash Journal
Students will keep track of everything they throw away over the course of a week.
Graphing Species Diversity
While learning about the diversity of native plants across dune habitats, students will practice calculating percentages and graphing data.
Parts of Speech Poem
Students will reflect on their nature experience by using nouns, adjectives, and verbs to create a poem.
Everyday Algae
Do you know how much algae is in your cupboard? This take home scavenger hunt will reveal to students that algae is a common part of our everyday lives.
Recycling Relay Race
A relay race where students must sort out common waste items depending on the best method for their disposal.
Games
Games for all ages and energy levels.
Arts & Crafts
Plastic Bag Jellies |
Paper Bag Sperm Whale |
Egg Carton Barnacle |
2-Liter Bottle Terrarium |
Cereal Box Journal |
Plant Press |
Service Learning Activities
What is Service Learning?
Service learning is a method of teaching, learning and reflecting that combines academic classroom curriculum with meaningful service, frequently youth service, throughout the community. As a teaching methodology, it falls under the philosophy of experiential education. More specifically, it integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility, encourage lifelong civic engagement, and strengthen communities for the common good. (Definition from Wikipedia).
To find out more about Service Learning, visit the Learn and Serve Clearinghouse.
The following are activities to engage students in projects that are of service to the school and/or community. A service learning curriculum should incorporate lessons and reflection activities to build on these experiences.
School or Neighborhood Clean up
Wherever there is litter, you can have a beach clean-up. Most litter ends up in rivers and streams when it rains, eventually washing out to the ocean and onto beaches. Your class can be ocean stewards and help prevent marine debris by picking up trash in and around the school, before it has a chance to make it to the ocean. To get ready for this activity, discuss with the class how litter is not only unsightly, but it is harmful to the environment, and to animals that might get stuck in it or try to eat it. For corresponding lessons and reflection activities, check out the Trash Journal, Trash Timeline and Recycling Relay Race game in the supplemental activities section. (Link to appropriate activities)
Materials: gloves, trash bags, trash picker-uppers (optional).
Safety: Remind students not to pick up anything that might be dangerous such as broken glass or needles, and if they find anything like this tell an adult. If the class will be spread out, work in pairs.
Ecosystem Restoration
Chances are, if you have a nature area on or near your campus, you also have invasive plants. After learning about invasive plants and how they are harmful to native plants and animals, get out there and do something about it. Make sure you have permission from your school or the manager of the nature area. Before removing plants make sure to go over what the invasive plant looks like, where it came form and how it got here, why it is bad for this environment, and what is the best way to remove it. If you do not have a nearby nature area to restore, check out our Adopt-a-Dune Program.
Materials (Depends on the plants you are removing): Cloth gloves, shovels, shears, whatever gardening tools you need to get the job done
Safety: If working with tools make sure to go over the appropriate safety rules. Be aware of any potentially dangerous plants in the area, such as blackberries or poison oak.
For more about invasive species, visit Invasive plants of the North Coast.
Write Letters to Elected Officials
There are many important decisions being made in our local, state, and national governments. Even though these decisions may affect our neighborhoods, schools, and natural areas, kids rarely get to have a say. Find an issue that is important to your class and do some background research. Make sure to look at both sides of the issue so the class can make informed suggestions. If there is disagreement, you can also hold a classroom debate. To have your class share their opinions with the local community, you can also write letters to the editor. For students that want to take it a step further, find a local organization that addresses this issue and find out if students can volunteer their time or services.
To find lawmakers at the state and federal level, visit the Congress Website and enter your zip code. To find your local elected-officials, visit the Humboldt County Website.
Start a School Garden and Compost
If your school does not already have one, start a school garden. Gardening is a great hands-on way to learn about plant life cycles and food production. Raised bed gardens are easy to make, here’s a link with more information: Raised Bed Gardens.
No Garden is complete without a compost bin. Composting reduces waste and it can be a great educational tool. Here’s a link with more information about Composting in Schools.
Organize a Recycling Program
Does your school recycle? If not, it’s about time you start. Your class can help the school be more eco-friendly by providing recycling services. Start by decorating some cardboard boxes or plastic containers to serve as recycling bins. Be creative, but also make sure they are clearly labeled as a place to recycle. You could also create signs listing what is recyclable. Distribute the bins to classrooms, cafeteria, and the teacher’s lounge. Once a week collect the recycling from around the campus. If there is no curbside pick-up at your school, an adult will have to take the recycling to the nearest recycling center.
Paint a Habitat Mural on your Campus
If you school has some blank and boring walls, decorate them with something beautiful and educational. Design a mural portraying a nearby habitat with all the appropriate plants and animals. Mural painting is hard work, so make sure your class has the enthusiasm and dedication. Here is some more information about Mural Painting.
Check out Peninsula School’s Dune Mural!