Lesson Idea | Daily and Seasonal Changes

About This Guide

This document is a companion guide to the Ontario Science Centre’s video series on play-based learning, produced in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Education.

​The Ontario Science Centre's "Grade 01 Activity Ideas: Daily and Seasonal Changes" is a play-based learning guide designed to help educators engage Grade 1 students in hands-on science activities related to weather, animal behavior, and seasonal patterns. This resource complements the Centre’s video series on playful classrooms and aligns with the Ontario Ministry of Education’s emphasis on creativity and innovation in early learning.

Overview of Activities

The guide includes six interactive activities:​

Design a Den
Students build shelters for toy animals using materials like cotton balls, feathers, and popsicle sticks. They test the durability of their structures by simulating wind (e.g., blowing on them) and adapt the shelters for different seasons.

Test a Nest
Students create nests using wire frames and materials such as fabric strips and twine. They test the nests' strength by adding marble "eggs" to see how many they can hold.

Tangrams and Nature Math
This activity combines tangram puzzles with natural objects to explore shapes, symmetry, and spatial reasoning.

Seasonal Scavenger Hunt
Students engage in a scavenger hunt to find items in nature that reflect seasonal changes, enhancing observation skills and understanding of the environment.

Seasonal Playscape
Students design and build a playscape that reflects a particular season, incorporating elements like weather conditions and seasonal activities.

Nature Box
Students collect and categorize natural items in a "nature box," fostering skills in classification and appreciation for biodiversity.

Outdoor Learning Emphasis

Each activity includes suggestions for outdoor implementation, encouraging students to interact directly with their environment. For example, building shelters or nests using natural materials found in local parks or forests. The guide emphasizes respect for living things and promotes environmental stewardship.​