|
The Outdoor Classroom is all
about using the "outdoors" as the subject of the students' study of
science in the public school system where I teach. It all started
with a grant from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department two
years ago. In the Fall of 2003 the school district began meeting
with park personnel to design lessons that would meet the needs of
students to understand the materials and subject matter listed in
the TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills - the required
curriculum in the state). For example, 5th graders are to recognize
and know how to use a collecting net which is nearly impossible in
a classroom, but easy if you are using one to collect
macroinvertebrates (bugs) at the water's edge. With the TEKS
clearly in mind, a one day experience in the outdoor classroom was
designed for both the 5th and 6th graders. With lots of help from
the Master Naturalists in our county, the TP&W personnel, the
teachers, and the administrators, we are currently in the second
year of our program. In 5th grade students learn about life at the
Lake's edge, what tracks mean and how to count a deer population,
and some of the natural history of our area. The 6th graders learn
about the watershed that feeds our lake and how soil types and
ground cover effect the water supply. They also learn about habitat
and the benefits of green construction and recycling. Those of us
who treasure time in the outdoors often forget that there are those
who don't. My favorite comment from one of the 6th graders was,
"Now I know what the outdoors really is."
|
