Jun
24
Nine South Dakota teachers recently had an opportunity to learn how to study “place” both in the classroom and in the field using LEP curriculum amongst other resources.
The teachers spent one day in the classroom learning activities to teach “place” consisting of the physical, ecological and cultural setting. The teachers participated as learners in January Thaw, and then set to work in small groups to peer present LEP activities throughout the day.
Teachers presented:
Home Range to teach about ecology/animals,
Axe-in-Hand to teach ecology/plants,
Green Pasture - geomorphology,
Come High Water – to illustrate the intersection of the natural and built worlds.
The following two days were spent kayaking the White River doing field studies on soil, plants and water. Teachers were required to journal, keeping records not just of the field studies and observations but also their reflection on being in place on the White River.
The spirit of Leopold was infused throughout the entire session. The Good Oak made for an excellent nighttime campfire discussion while Great Possessions and the ignominiously transported coffee cup served well for a morning. Come High Water was continuously on everyone’s mind as the group kept a sharp eye for boards to salvage.
LEP is an excellent resource to integrate place. With its depth and breadth of content, teachers across the curriculum can find material to use in their classrooms.
For more pictures and narrative about the Study of Place workshop, see this photo album
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Apr
28
For those of you who view educational workshops as just that, “WORKshops,” read below. At the end of our Facilitator Workshop in February in Akron, IA, we passed around a piece of paper and asked everyone to jot down just one thought left in their mind from their experience at the workshop. As the paper was passed around, each person was to only read the most recent entry and build on it with their own thoughts. Here is the end result:
Just a thought…
Leopold has been an influence on conservation and his legacy should be continued.
I look forward to taking Leopold’s legacy and sharing it with other children and educators.
I want to teach in a way that will have a greater meaning and a greater impact.
I have learned so much more about Leopold and the importance of this man who came from my hometown. I want to teach what I have learned to the students so they have a better appreciation of this “hometown boy” who did good things!
Every experience we have to learn is our chance to teach the next person. This weekend has added to my “drive” to make moments “teachable moments”
Read the rest of this entry »
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Dec
14
Jerry Miller, CO LEP State Coordinator creates a land ethic with his conservation camps in southeast Colorado.
Youngsters from 4th to 8th grades got wet, captured water creatures, handled a snake, learned about conservation, and had two fun-filled days at one of two Backyard Conservation Camps hosted by the Haxtun and Sedgwick County Conservation Districts. “Aquatics” was this year’s theme according to Denise Swanson, Haxtun district manager.
Jerry Miller, District Conservation Technician for the two districts, led the daily events based upon the Aldo Leopold educational principle of striving for a land ethic to instill a love, a respect and an admiration for the land. Students were encouraged to observe, interpret nature and journal their thoughts reflecting on how all things in nature are interconnected and what effects personal actions may have on natural systems. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: camp, conservation
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