Bringing Nature to the Classroom and Schoolyard

Sponsored by

The Salem State Collaborative Project for Math, Science and Interdisciplinary Education (CPMSIE)

 

Location:       Lynnfield High School, 275  Essex Street, Lynnfield, MA          

Presenters:    Cyndy Bourquard, Lisa Hutchings and Bill Gette, Joppa Flats Education                                                                                           Center and Wildlife Sanctuary, Newburyport MA 01950

Time:       3:45PM to 6 PM

Audience:       Grade PreK- 4 Teachers

Dates:              Thursdays April 16, 30, May 7, 14 2009      

Fee:           $50 for Member Districts            $195 for non-Member Districts. See  website    

                                                www.salemcollaborative.org   for member list.

PDP’s:             10 Hours with Completed Project

Session I: Bringing Nature into the Classroom   Mass Audubon staff will show you the benefits of setting up simple but effective discovery centers in your classroom by bringing nature indoors. This program demonstrates the importance of child-generated investigations, observations, book making and journaling. Activities include setting up simple terraria, wet & dry science, visual art application, and designing creature “comfort zones” in your classroom.

Session II:  Schoolyard Science & Backyard Birds   Mass Audubon staff will prepare a variety of activities and experiments that demonstrate simple steps to make the most of your school yard and open spaces. Weather patterns, soil sampling, microhabitats, and collecting techniques and tools will be introduced. Participants will use binoculars, spotting scopes, and field guides to observe and learn about adaptations in birds, bird migration, and plumage characteristics. 

Session III: Seasonal Adaptations Leaders         Whether preparing for winter or waking up to spring, seasons mean change for all living things. Adaptations, habitats, animal tracks, and environmental challenges are the focus of this workshop. Winter survival games, forest home scavenger hunts, and the great migration challenge will be presented. Activities presented can be modified for the field or the classroom.

Session IV: Educators Open House & Go Green!          In our last workshop, we’ll pull out all our materials, books, curriculum, and all the thematic activity kits for participants to explore and put together their project. We will also dedicate some time to introduce a wide variety of simple and fun practices that celebrate renewable resources and demonstrate smart environmental choices. Activities include vermin-composting, landscaping ideas, air, solar powered inventions, and more.

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 call Jim at 781-771-4860.

Make checks or Purchase Orders payable to CPMSIE and Bring to the First Session

DEADLINE to sign up for Beyond the Facts is April 4, 2009