Learning Outdoors
Resources from Environmental Education - 9/10/20
Support for Outdoor Learning
To see detailed outdoor learning ideas, check out this slideshow.
To see a flyer that outlines our support offerings this year, check out this link.
Sit-Upons
Learning Outdoors - Phenology
Phenology, or observing seasonal changes in the environment, is something that all students grades K-12 can participate in. It could be integrated into a reading or writing lesson, or simply something that you guide students in noticing as you walk outside for a minute or two. The observations can be simple: Do the trees have leaves today? Do you notice any flowers? Or more complex: Are there seed pods on the trees? Are the leaves changing color?
One goal of phenology is "Getting kids to see things that they have seen every day, but have never seen before. Because when they start to see those things, they can't ever unsee them again."
The video below highlights a high school classroom that is studying phenology, and this website outlines resources for K-4 teachers. Want to start with trees? Check out these Tree Identification Tools.
K-12 Resources from KEEP, LEAF, Project Learning Tree, and more!
H.O.M.E.School Lessons
"The Alliance for the Great Lakes is happy to announce H.O.M.E.School, a new series of online lessons about the Great Lakes for kids in grades K-8. Each lesson explores a different topic with a quick video from our education manager Katie Larson. After the “classroom” portion, students can apply their knowledge with a fun, hands-on activity they can do at home. For educators and those who want to learn more, we offer resources to dig in deeper on the topic with links to other lessons and activities. Topics include maps, the water cycle, habitats, food webs, boats, plastic pollution, and more."
Click on the topic links above to learn more!
Green and Healthy Schools Fall Learning Series
Videos from SDW EE
Moving in Nature
Virtual Nature School
There are many great resources online for outdoor learning. One resource that recently caught our attention is Virtual Nature School! This YouTube channel is a collaboration between an organization called Living Classrooms and the Scottish Government. Their aim is to "offer daily inspiration for children to interact with nature - inside, outside and beyond." You can watch one of their many videos below, or learn more by checking out their website.
Gardening
Science Joke of the Week
We Want to Hear From YOU!
Email: ekoeppel@waukesha.k12.wi.us
Website: https://sdw.waukesha.k12.wi.us/domain/173
Location: 810 West College Avenue, Waukesha, WI, USA
Phone: 262-970-4333
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SDWEnvironmentalEducation
Twitter: @sdwenved