I have chosen to focus on Grade 4 Science: Light & Sound Unit for my Integrated Lesson Plan project. In this post, I will share how I will engage my students with the local community and enrich their learning in the classroom.
Our Community
Edwards Garden – is a botanical garden, also the site of the Toronto Botanical Garden, a private not-for profit organization previously called the Civic Garden Centre.
This local garden features perennials and roses on the uplands and wildflowers, rhododendrons and an extensive rockery in the valley. On the upper level of the valley, there is an arboretum next to the Children’s Teaching Garden. This park also offers programs, garden tours, nature day camps, field trips and an extensive horticultural library.
Learning Goals
This outing aims to help students to identify the natural and artificial lights within their community as well as helping them to think about energy consumption and sustainability (see “Post-visit” section to learn more about this point).
Pre-visit
Before the visit, I will introduce the Scavenger Hunt Activity to the students. We will also discuss the safety considerations and expectations when we are out and about. Explain to students that this is the handout that they will be filling out when we are at Edwards Garden.
Post-visit
When we return to the classroom the next day, we will have a whole class (carpet) discussion about their answers. Furthermore, facilitate an open-ended conversation about energy consumption and sustainability with the class. Example questions include:
1) How much energy do you think the artificial light sources use?
2) Where does that energy come from?
3) Should we turn off the lights when we leave the room? Why would this be a good idea?
Teach to Serve 
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