It’s the perfect time of year for a nature scavenger hunt!  This fun outdoor science activity lets you get to know your local environment.  The goal is to get outside and notice different types of trees, plants, animals and insects that live right outside your window!

Here is the “ABC Nature Scavenger Hunt Checklist” to try on your own, or with your family!  Click on the PDF link and read the instructions for this activity.

If you have a printer at home, you can download and print out the PDF and write your answers on paper.  If you don’t have a printer, no problem!  You can draw your checklist or use a device (iPhone, iPad, etc.) to capture your learning.  If you don’t have access to either a printer or a device, you can simply list the letters of the alphabet on a piece of paper to record what you find, or you can also do the activity by discussing your observations with a family member or friend! 

Tips for your Nature Scavenger Hunt:

• Use the ABC Nature Scavenger Checklist and go outside to find, draw, photograph, discuss or list something in nature you find for each letter.  For example, A for Ant, B for Bark, C for Cloud, etc.

• Show your learning in a variety of ways, for example, by drawing or coloring something you find, by snapping a few photos, or recording an audio/video clip of your ideas and thoughts.

• Be safe: tell your parents about anything sharp or dangerous, do not pick up things you don’t recognize, and always ask your parents before picking up any human-made things.

• Be respectful of nature: leave nature how you found it (e.g. take a photo or make a drawing instead of picking leaves or flowers) and stay on any trails or paths to prevent erosion.

• Explore with your family.  If you are an intermediate student, and have permission from your parents, let them know where you’re going and stay within that area.

You can choose to upload your learning experience to ePortfolio and share your discoveries with your teacher.  Get right to work finding the easy things – like a tree, sun, and clouds – all things you can probably see from your front door!
Feel free to skip around and find the letters of the alphabet out of order.  You may or may not find an example for every letter of the alphabet.  Do your best and have fun exploring the biodiversity of living things in your area.