Ecosystems are in a constant state of change. Introduce the concept of year-round prairie by asking students to describe what the prairie looks like. Pose this as a broad question, then lead into the activity by getting specific. With younger students, the teacher will lead a brainstorm about prairie changes, going season by season, keeping a list or set of drawings for each month. The teacher should be prepared to come up with most of the events.
Students brainstorm and research what happens on the prairie during their month.
When they have covered as many of the areas of change as they can think of, give each group a calendar month grid or have them make their own. Students will mark all significant changes in their month on the grid. The point is to get a general idea of what happens on the prairie in each season. Set a minimum, for instance three events or changes per week. When the month grids are complete, give each group a blank piece of paper which will form the top page of their calendar month.