Learning about grassland plants in Šempeter
Contents and aims of Ecology subject in primary schools in Slovenia should be presented to pupils by means of a variety of different methods. The aims of the current school year have been the following:
- Pupils create and complete their knowledge on different typical environments in Slovenia and plants within them
- They understand the fact that plants, animals and people are connected among them and with abiotic nature
- They understand the influence of people on nature and find out their own possible contribution to the protection and safety of natural environment
- They are able to name the chosen plants with the help of a key
- They unite new findings with knowledge already gained before
- They get used to cooperative learning
- They get used to attentive listening and making autonomous reports
We have pursued the above mentioned aims with different methods. In May, we carried out the content »Meadow plants« in the frame of the international project KeyToNature.
Mrs Irena Kodele Krašna who is also involved with the project helped us.
First, the pupils gained new knowledge on different habitats with the help of observation walks, conversations and other activities. While they were browsing encyclopaedias and computer programs they paid special attention to characteristics of meadows in Slovenia.
After that, Mrs. Irena Kodele Krašna created an identification key that helped the pupils identify the names of plants. Before the beginning of the task, Mrs. Krašna explained basic notions that were essential for the understanding of how the key works. The pupils were divided into small groups. With the help of the identification key they looked for the names of plants on their own. During the task they all felt like real researchers. The key was simple and easy to understand and the pupils were very successful. They were additionally motivated by the environment which offered a great variety of plants.
After they had completed the work in the field, each group made a report in class and also prepared an exhibition.
The pupils broadened and used their acquired knowledge in different environments throughout Slovenia. They visited Kucelj, Nanos and other locations rich in meadows and brought back plants. Afterwards they presented the plants to their school friends. They used their newly gained knowledge also when working on creative notes during lessons of the Slovene language.
Danica Brajnik in Sonja Mozetič, 3rd grade teachers
