Outdoor Kids Klub
April 13th-This week we explored and discussed the sense of smell. Animals are very reliant on this sense and we learned how they use it and how important it is to their survival. To test our sense of smell we had six mystery scents that we tried to identify. Then as our outdoor activity we followed the trail in our outdoor classroom that a 'coconut' beetle had left for us and tried to understand what its purpose was in scent marking the trees.
March 10th-Jeremy Soucy with the Missouri Department of Conservation came to visit our OKK. He is our
educational consultant. His presentation was on specialized structures of Missouri mammals, reptiles and snakes.
February 17th-This week we decorated trash cans for the MDC NoMOreTrash contest! K-2nd entry's theme was "Do Not Make America the Beautiful America the Litterfull" and the 3-5th entry's theme is "Our Planet is One in a Million Lets Keep it Clean."
Update-Snow, snow and more snow. We had to cancel yet again this week but please join us next week, 2/17/11 for the rescheduled meeting so we can get the trash cans decorated!
January 27th- Finally our group was able to meet this day after 2 days canceled because of snow! To begin our meeting we discussed the No More Trash contest that our group will be participating in next month. Next all students made a necklace or bracelet that reminded us to save our planet. The students then brainstormed on ideas for our theme and decoration for the trash can. Next meeting will be February 10th and we hope to complete the trash can decoration and submit the picture to MDC. Please be prepared just in case to meet the following Thursday if one meeting is not enough to finish the project.
November 11th-This month the students learned about fence rows and the animals and plants that grow in this type of ecosystem. We looked at items the 4th grade class brought back from their field trip at James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area and then we created our own fence row with drawings, natural items and pictures cut out of nature magazines. Our creation is located in the hall next to the 4th grade room. Our next Kids Klub meeting will be January 12th.
October 14th-This month the students learned about trees and how to identify them from the products that they produce. The students were asked to reach inside mystery boxes and describe how the items located inside felt. Then we went outside to try to see if we could find items in the outdoor classroom that felt the same way. At the end of our time together we removed the items from the mystery boxes and identified what trees produced the products.
September 15th-The weather didn't cooperate with us so we stayed inside and made place mats. 30 students attended and we met in the art room. Next month's meeting will be on October 15th.
Update-Thank you to the help of 3 of our committee members, Duchess Wall, Jack Cox and our Kids Klub members we were able to spread 2 large piles of mulch in the teaching area and a small amount on the trail. Many of the kids worked nonstop and we were able to get this chore done by 5 p.m.
Outdoor Kids Klub is a club dedicated to preserving the environment and maintaining our own outdoor classroom. Our outdoor classroom was funded partly through a Missouri Department of Conservation grant. We meet on the second Thursday of every month this year. We will not meet in December. We engage in a variety of science and nature activities as well as tasks designed to make our classroom enjoyable for all. If you would like more information or would like to volunteer to help please use one of the contact e mails below.
Be sure to click on the picture above to see more pictures!
