Nature Park "Prokopské a Dalejské údolí" - A Place for Teaching Natural Sciences in Primary Schools

The main objective of this diploma thesis is to prepare a collection of activities aimed at pupils attending the fourth grade of elementary schools during their natural sciences lessons. For this intention the nature park "Prokopské a Dalejské údolí" is used. The introductory chapters present those parts of basic curricular documents that reflect outdoor teaching. An analysis of natural sciences fourth-grade textbooks informs us about the rate of suggested outdoor activities in these textbooks. This thesis is also concerned with the topic of outdoor teaching; it gives the characteristics and describes its benefits and disadvantages. An important part of this study is devoted to a characterization of the nature park "Prokopské a Dalejské údolí" from the geological, zoological and botanical point of view, to its protected areas, history and negative impact on it. In brief, a contemporary situation of environmental outdoor projects in this nature park is mentioned. The results of a questionnaire survey familiarize us with the frequency and the ways of using this nature park by teachers from surrounding schools. In the practical part of this thesis are presented the worksheets related mainly to the Czech ecosystems. These worksheets are provided with a map of the most convenient routes, methodical instructions..