MEET ME AT THE CORNER: Earth Day:TAKE A HIKE

1. Where is Aiken Canyon? Locate it on a map. Are there any nature preserves in your area? List them and locate them on a map.
2. What is an ornithologist? What skills does one need to bean ornithologist? What kind of equipment does an ornithologist need?
3. List at least six animal species that are found in Aiken Canyon. Classify the species into groups. Explain your groups.
4. List and classify at least six animal species that are found in your area. Classify the species and explain your groupings.
5. What does the Nature Conservancy do (what is its mission)? How does it accomplish this mission?
6. What is the difference between a preserve and a park? Design a Venn diagram to compare and contrast the two.
7. Mr. Kendall states that pets are not allowed in Aiken Canyon. Do you agree or disagree with this? Support your answer. If pets are allowed in parks and preserves, should there be rules? What should they be?
8. Diagram and label the foothills ecosystem. What is the ecosystem in your area? How is it unique?
9. Mr. Kendall gives Benjie some hiking tips. List them. Can you think of other good tips?

Vocabulary Challenge: Design a word wall using one of the following words: conservancy, avid, diversity, preserve, amateur.

The idea of a word wall is to generate a list of words related to the main word. These can be synonyms, antonyms, idioms, similes, or sayings related to the main word. You could also add affixes (prefixes and suffixes) to the main word. An example of a word wall using the word wise might include the following words: wisely, unwisely, unwise, wisdom, intelligent, smart, silly, wise as an owl. The last step in building a word wall is to classify the words by arranging them into related groups. Older children can explore words using different parts of speech. For example, the word familiar: familiarity (noun), familiarize (verb), familiarly (adverb), familiar (adjective).

Check the Other Fun Websites. There are numerous excellent resources for content, activities and quizzes. Check the following: Environmental Kids Club, Nature Rocks and Love the Outdoors.