May 16th-20th Family Activities Newsletter

Welcome to the WMHT Family Activities Newsletter.
This weekly family newsletter is providing resources for children’s growing and learning throughout the spring and summer months.
The theme for this week is Ecology Part 1.
I hope you find this helpful!
Barbara Lukas, Family Learning Coordinator
Theme: Ecology Part 1
Welcome to family activities with PBS Kids!  Gardening, tending to the environment, and observing nature can help kids understand their relationship and responsibilities to the earth. Explore several ecology activities below.
Two age level areas are available – PreK-K and Grades 1-2. 
PreK-K
Plants are part of the earth’s ecosystem. For this activity from Hero Elementary, complete a puzzle to explore parts of plants. Print out the Plant Puzzle and Tree Reference sheet, and follow the directions. Work through all the plant cards as you draw your own tree. What color crayons did you use?
      Is It an Insect
Insects are a large part of our planet’s ecology. Practice identifying insects using this information guide from Elinor Wonders Why. Print and assemble your booklet. Then take it outside for an insect hunt. What did you find?  


Grades 1-2
A terrarium is a micro-environment: moisture evaporates, then condensates and falls back down in an enclosed glass container. Create your own self-sufficient terrarium with Nature Cat. Ask an adult to help you collect a large glass jar with lid, small indoor plants, and potting soil. Did you add small pebbles or shells?
    Tree Truths
Trees do more than make our world pretty. They are essential to life, providing us with oxygen, cleaning our water and air, protecting our soil and giving homes to 80 percent of the plants and land animals on Earth. Learn more about trees in this video from Science Trek and Idaho PBS.


The Science of Ecosystems
Every living thing is part of an ecosystem. Our planet’s ecosystem is a community of living and non-living things in the environment. Explore these activities to help kids understand their relationship with the earth.


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