ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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HI all,
I am preparing a presentation to a brand new administration
(superintendent and deputy superintendent) at our local school district
as to why they need (want to develop partnerships with) the Museum's
professional development program for teachers. The PD supports a new
curriculum guide called Living Landscapes: Teaching in Nature, which we
just revised that links core subjects in the elementary classroom (math,
science, visual and language arts) through hands-on, out-door
experiential learning of environmental education. The PD series, called
the Living Classroom includes field specialists teaching content
(outside of course!), as well as tips and trick taking kids out doors
and actual lesson plans (outdoor) and for links to (indoor) classroom
(either pre or post) activities. Support for teachers busy lives and the
need to create fun, experiential ways in face of pressures to increase
achievement on standardized test. [All linked to frameworks] (DEEP
breath, right?)
So I would like to substantiate, that is, use outside researcher-based
evidence ( rather than my simply saying it is a really good idea) the
value of:
* hands-on, experiential learning
* using real subject matter (concrete) vs.. abstract in classroom
not connected to life
* connecting kids to the out-of-doors (someone mentioned recently
and NPR report on kids lives (in front of TV's vs.. being outside)
* cross curriculum links, interdisciplinary (for example, article
that Amy sent on study done last year on schools in Chicago that use
arts integration to teach core subject and how standardized test scores
increase more in these schools than in non-arts integrate schools)
* getting teachers inspired and excited; the excitement of going
outside for kids (good time = good results.)
So without overburdening anyone, if you have at your finger tips, and/or
remember, or use in your own work, grant proposals, etc. RESEARCH
STUDIES - ARTICLES<-REPORTS - that substantiate methods that relate to
any of the above bulleted items, I would love to learn about them!
And thanks in advance.
Maria Mingalone
Director of Education and Public Programs
Berkshire Museum
39 South Street
Pittsfield, MA 01201
(413)443-7171, ext 14
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