The Hitchhiker Hike
This is a unique and fun hike that provides the opportunity for a variety of conversations with your students.


Before the Hike:

• Each student needs a pair of large tube socks.
•  Have a small magnifying glass for each student or pairs of students 
• Place the socks over your shoes.
• Have different colored construction paper or bulletin board paper and markers.

During the Hike:  On Your Mark, Get Set, Go:

• Walk or run through a field of tall grass, wooded area, or even your backyard.
• Stop and look at your socks. What do you notice about the items that are stuck on your socks?
• Keep moving until your socks are covered with seeds and other plants.
• When you are finished, take off the socks to see the treasures you picked up. 
• Make sure to take photographs during the hike. Print the pictures to create a class book about the hike.

After the Hike:

• Either take the students back indoors, or find a shady spot outside to make your observations.
• After the students have taken off their socks, have them sort the items that are stuck to their socks into categories. You can have pieces of construction paper or bulletin board paper. Have the students write different labels for their categories and then place the items under the categories. Having colored paper will help the students see the items better.
• Ask different questions about the items that you caught on your socks?
  
• How did you categorize each item?
• Compare the numbers of items you collected. You can compare the size, color, texture and shape of the items.
• How did they get here?
• Why is seed dispersal good for the environment?
• How are the socks similar to animal fur?
• Creating Art

           * Give each child a piece of paper and some glue. Have them create a piece of artwork using the item from the hike. This can be abstract
               or they can create a picture with the items by using markers, colored pencils, or paint.

• Patterning:

            * Teach a lesson on patterns. The students can create a pattern using the items that were caught on their socks. They glue the items
                down on paper. Have the share their patterns with each other, and the students have to figure out each pattern.