Developed to help students of grades five through eight attain an understanding of the natural environment, this booklet provides investigations which focus on humanity's relationship with the environment. While some of the experiments are adaptable to the classroom, many of the activities are more appropriately implemented out-of-doors on the school yard or at an outdoor educational facility. Nineteen investigations are offered on the topics of: (1) air; (2) water; (3) transportation; (4) soil; (5) plants; and (6) animals/insects. Each activity consists of student sheets and a teacher's guide. Teacher's materials include suggestions for classroom management, instructional procedures, classroom discussion, and activity extensions. Specific mathematics skills and science processes are also identified for each activity. (ML)