Bringing Nature to the Classroom and
Schoolyard
Sponsored
by the Salem State Collaborative Project for Math, Science and Interdisciplinary Education (CPMSIE)
Presenters: Cyndy
Bourquard, Lisa Hutchings and Bill Gette, Joppa Flats Education
and Wildlife Sanctuary Center, Newburyport
MA 01950
Audience: Grade PreK- 4 Teachers
Dates: Thursdays: Nov 12, 19, Dec 3, 10, 2009
PDP’s
10 Hours with Completed Project
Fee: $50 for Member Districts $195 for non-Member Districts. See website
www.salemcollaborative.org
for member list.
This program demonstrates the importance of child-generated investigations, observations, book making and journaling. Activities include wet & dry science stations, instructions for setting up a terrarium, and visual art application. We’ll provide you with helpful handouts on tree and leaf identification, share our favorite resources for low-cost teaching materials and kits, and show you how to make the most of your schoolyard and open spaces – no matter what your natural habitat you have! Lesson plans, activity sheets, and reading lists will be provided. Part of this workshop will take place on the schoolyard if weather permits.
Session II: Winter
Preparations & Weather
Whether preparing for winter or observing the weather, seasons mean change for all living things. Adaptations, habitats, animal tracks, and environmental challenges are the focus of this workshop. Weather instrument 101, activities about clouds, and experiments using wind speed and direction will be introduced. Winter survival games, forest home scavenger hunts, and engaging, group activities like the Great Migration Challenge will be presented. Lesson plans, bird house construction instructions, and reading lists will be provided. Part of this workshop will take place on the schoolyard if weather permits.
Session III: Introduction to Bird Watching
Observing birds from the
classroom or around your school can stimulate interest in the environment and
offer entry points into other subjects such as geography, mathematics, and
writing. During this workshop, Bill Gette, Sanctuary Director of Mass
Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center, will provide an introduction to
birdwatching. Bill will explain the many aids to field identification
including physical characteristics, behavior, habitat preference, and range.
He will also provide many ideas for hands-on, educational projects that you can
implement easily in the classroom. A presentation outline will be given
to each participant. Part of this workshop will take place on the schoolyard if
weather permits.
Session IV: Exploring the
Coast in the Classroom
Your school doesn’t have to be near the beach to bring the ecology and excitement of the coastline into
your classroom. Virtual tide pools, simulated salt marshes, and portable beaches are easy to create and
maintain and can be a source of wonder, discovery and stewardship throughout the school year. Instructions
for setting up simple, low-cost cold marine aquarium tanks.
Registration Information:
Please register at our website www.salemcollaborative.org, or email the following information to Jim Kearns at registration@salemcollaborative.org. If you have registration questions, please either email (preferred) or call Jim at781-771-4860. Make checks payable to CPMSIE and Bring to First Session.
Last day to sign up for Bringing Nature Into the Classroom and Schoolyard is November 7, 2009