This column discusses resources and science topics related to students in grades preK to 2. In this month's issue students study landscape surfaces to recognize changes due to human impacts or natural phenomena.

"Ready, Set, Respect!" provides a set of tools to help elementary school educators ensure that all students feel safe and respected and develop respectful attitudes and behaviors. It is not a program to be followed but instead is designed to help educators prepare themselves for teaching about and modeling respect. The toolkit responds to…

Students in grades three to four can collect, analyze, and represent data in order to determine which piece of playground equipment appears most popular. Students in grades five to six can investigate the geometry of playground structures using measurement and scale models. Lesson plans and reproducible worksheets are included. (CMS)

Describes use of play crates, containers holding items that connect activities to a particular theme, in the outdoor classroom. Describes using crates to plan more creatively, enhance children's independence, and build spontaneous and individual interests. Provides direction in assembling and implementing play crates, and extending outdoor…

Advocates the use of recess meetings to help children succeed socially. Describes case studies of use of recess meetings in a first- and third-grade class, showing how teachers got to know each child better, and detailing how children were better able to express ideas, share experiences, voice concerns, solve problems, and laugh. (Author/SD)

Tells how hummingbirds can serve as a source of information and fun for children, including a rationale for attracting and teaching about hummingbirds and the outdoors. Explains that children need first-hand knowledge of nature and gives details on attracting hummingbirds and selecting safe plants for a hummingbird garden. (BGC)

Notes that most playgrounds for young children fail to encourage children's respect for or interaction with the natural environment, and offers a rationale and some ideas and guidelines for playground improvement. Focuses on how to use the outdoor play area to foster an understanding and appreciation of the natural environment. (Author/SD)

This special training section includes four articles on the importance of movement and action to children's development. The articles are "From Cartwheels to Caterpillars: Children's Need to Move Indoors and Out"; "Kids Gotta Move: Adapting Movement Experiences for Children with Differing Abilities"; "Roughhousing as a…

This article presents many ideas on recycling instructional materials and turning junk and discards into useful classroom and playground materials at little or no cost. (SJL)

Provides a sequential set of instructions for creating a large playground map. Discusses the educational benefits of such a map, and suggests activities for using the map effectively. Stresses the usefulness of maps in teaching place identification, spatial patterns, and directional orientation. (RW)

Highlights the importance of outdoor play as a space for active learning, discovery, and development of motor skills. Provides suggestions for creating an outdoor curriculum, including how to get started, important materials, and activity ideas. Encourages teachers and caregivers to devote plenty of time and energy to outdoor learning. (SD)

Suggests inventorying and mapping the features of the school yard so that it can be used as a ready learning resource. Sample schoolyard learning activities for each elementary grade and various subject areas are provided. (SJL)

Describes an "eco-count" project that led to the creation of a community map and educational game being painted on an elementary school playground. The multidisciplinary project involved students, teachers, parents, and other community members and the resulting map includes sections related to the local "green environment", "built environment",…

This curriculum guide is an interdisciplinary approach designed to reduce childhood accidental injuries on the playground. Materials are designed to provide background information and teaching resources for teachers that will be useable in a wide variety of environments. The first chapter provides a general background on playground hazards and…

Outlined are simple activities for studying soil, which can be conducted in the schoolyard. Concepts include soil profiles, topsoil, soil sizes, making soil, erosion, slope, and water absorption. (SJL)