What's Your Nature?

Become a Nature Up North explorer to share your encounters with wild things and wild places in New York's North Country. Post your wildlife sightings, landscape shots, photos from your outings, and even your organization's events!

Taylorville Pond, Belfort

This is a nice easy paddle between the Taylorville and Effley Falls power plants, along the Beaver River. It's a short run of about 3.5 miles, but there is a portage to continue further upriver if you chose.

DeBar Pond,Duane

This is a very nice paddle, with the pond running between DeBar and Baldface Mountains. You have an easy carry of about a quarter-mile along a good road. The historic DeBar Lodge isn't open, but you can poke around the buildings. A few folks were bushwhacking Debar Mt from part-way down the pond. Loon Lake Mt is in the southern distance.

Citizen Science Introduction Worksheet

This worksheet walks students through one of 5 different citizen science projects, listed below. Assign students one of the projects listed to research, and instruct them to fill out the worksheet as they learn about the project. Students may work in groups or alone. This lesson is meant to be adaptable; different projects may be swapped in depending on your goals. 

Lesson Plan: Intro to Phenology

This lesson plan provides an introduction to phenology, including some hands-on activities and discussion points. The lesson uses Monitor My Maple as an example, but could easily be adapted for other citizen science projects. 

Phenology Relay Race Activity

This activity is a relay race where student learn about phenology by matching pictures of seasonal change with the season they belong to. Several example cards are included, but more would need to be created depending on the season(s) you would like to teach about.

Monitor My Maple: Example Unit Calendar

This unit calendar is an example of how you might organize various lessons for teaching a unit on Monitor My Maple. Relevant standards are highlighted for each lesson. Please note that Lessons 1,2,3, 8, and 11 (shaded blue on the calendar) have been developed and are available for use via the Educator Resources page. Others are included as suggestions for what you may develop and may be added in time and/or with your assistance. Feedback is welcome and encouraged.

Lesson Plan: Intro to Citizen Science

This lesson serves as an introduction to Citizen Science, including a short reading and some activities and discussion points. The lesson uses Monitor My Maple as an example, but could easily be adapted for other citizen science projects. 

Phenology Relay Race Activity

Image
Example phenology cards
Description

This activity is a relay race where student learn about phenology by matching pictures of seasonal change with the season they belong to. Several example cards are included, but more would need to be created depending on the season(s) you would like to teach about.

Grade level
5-8
9-12
Project
Monitor My Maple
Monitor Change
Resource Type
Teacher Activity Guide
Subject(s)
Living Environment
Science
ELA
Social Studies
NYS Standards
MS-SL1, Comprehension and collaboration

Lesson Plan: Intro to Phenology

Image
Image of lesson plan
Description

This lesson plan provides an introduction to phenology, including some hands-on activities and discussion points. The lesson uses Monitor My Maple as an example, but could easily be adapted for other citizen science projects. 

Grade level
5-8
Project
Monitor My Maple
Resource Type
Lesson Plan
Subject(s)
Living Environment
Science
ELA
Social Studies
NYS Standards
MS-LS2-1, Ecosystems: cause and effect relationships

Monitor My Maple: Example Unit Calendar

Image
Image of unit calendar for monitor my maple
Description

This unit calendar is an example of how you might organize various lessons for teaching a unit on Monitor My Maple. Relevant standards are highlighted for each lesson. Please note that Lessons 1,2,3, 8, and 11 (shaded blue on the calendar) have been developed and are available for use via the Educator Resources page. Others are included as suggestions for what you may develop and may be added in time and/or with your assistance. Feedback is welcome and encouraged.

Grade level
5-8
9-12
Project
Monitor My Maple
Resource Type
Informational Text
Subject(s)
Living Environment
Science
ELA
Social Studies
NYS Standards
MS-SL1, Comprehension and collaboration
MS-SL6, Presentation of knowledge and ideas
MS-LS1-5, Influence of environment on growth
MS-LS1-6, Role of photosynthesis in energy cycle
MS-LS2-1, Ecosystems: cause and effect relationships
MS-LS2-3, Ecosystems: cycling and flow of matter
MS-LS2-4, Ecosystems: Impact of change on populations
HS-LS1-5, Use a model...photosynthesis transforms light energy
HS-LS2-2, Use mathematical representations...
HS-LS4-5, Evaluate the evidences supporting claims...
HS-LS4-6, Create or revise a simulation to test a solution...
HS-LS4-7, Design, evaluate and refine a solution...