Edgewood_Science and Environmental Education Methods

Jill-This is awesome. I've done this with my kids before. Great resource!

Google Earth can be used for so many different things in the classroom. I think you would be able to find good projects and lessons for most grade levels. With the younger kids you can explore the surface of the moon as a class. Older students can look up specific volcanoes and study the effect the volcanoes had on surrounding areas. The opportunities are endless! In terms of earth and space science, students can use Google Earth to explore the many features that exist on earth's surface (mountains, valleys, rivers, etc.) You can choose to look at all the major volcanoes on the surface of the Earth, or study the fault-lines and areas at risk for earthquakes. Google Earth also has a sky feature, in which users can explore the stars and constellations in the sky. You can also explore Mars and the Moon. Just a couple earth science standards that are met are: Science, Standard E: Earth and Space Science, 4th Grade: E.4.4 Identify celestial objects (stars, sun, moon, planets) in the sky, noting changes in patterns of those objects over time E.4.6 Using the science themes, find patterns and cycles in the earth's daily, yearly, and long-term changes Another really cool thing about Google Earth is the ability to watch an area over a span of time. This could definitely be used in the social studies classroom. Students can what the surface of the earth looked like during the time of the ancient Romans, and then can explore ancient Rome in 3D. You can also practice your piloting skills by trying out the flight simulator. Google Earth can be downloaded in several different languages. If you have a classroom with a large majority of Spanish-speakers, it would be a good idea to have Google Earth in Spanish on the computers, as well as in English. Also, students can work together in groups to explore Google Earth. If one student has more experience working with computers, he/she can help a different student with less experien

This is also cool. It is an online community for teachers, and includes lesson plans, tutorials, and tips all regarding how to use Google Earth in the classroom. http://sitescontent.google.com/google-earth-for-educators/Home

This whole site is great, but I chose a simple machines activities because that is what the kids in my practicum are learning about right now. 1. This particular part of the website is physical science, and it is an activity that is used to teach kids about simple machines 2.The website says that it is used for grades 2-6, but I think I would use it with 3rd and 4th graders and two standards that are used in this activity are: D.4.6 Observe and describe physical events in objects at rest or in motion D.4.7 Observe and describe physical events involving objects and develop record-keeping systems to follow these events by measuring and describing changes in their properties, including: * position relative to another object * motion over time * and position due to forces 3. I would integrate this with another class by talking about the history of the machines. I would talk about how and why the machines were invented and who invented them. I would then have them discuss why these machines were helpful. So this could be both a science and social studies lesson. 4. I would adapt this for people with disabilities or people who are struggling by having them work with someone who would be able to and willing to help them. I would also give them a sheet with definitions and pictures of each machine to help them to identify and figure out the function of each simple machine.

Katie- I was trained in JASON for several years. As a teacher I purchased 6 or 7 years of modules.

The Jason Project is a wonderful resource for teachers. There are lesson plans made for mineral studies, energy studies, ecosystem studies, and weather studies. For this reason, the science strands include: physical science, earth and space science, life and environmental science, and science applications. This website and the accompanying lessons are directed towards older-aged middle school students, about 8th graders. The information that is covered is covered in depth and is dependent upon students having a relatively vast prior understanding. For example, for the resilient planet lesson, students must know what an herbivore and carnivore are and how the food web works before they can begin the unit. For the energy lesson, students must be able to work with complex mathematical equations to calculate energy changes. The lessons each connect with standards in multiple ways but following are some examples of how each lesson could connect to one standard (and there are many more that the lessons do connect to!): Mineral studies: E.8.1 Using the science themes, explain and predict changes in major features of land, water, and atmospheric systems. Energy studies: D.8.9 Explain the behaviors of various forms of energy by using the models of energy transmission, both in the laboratory and in real-life situations in the outside world. Ecosystem studies: F.8.8 Show through investigations how organisms both depend on and contribute to the balance or imbalance of populations and/or ecosystems, which in turn contribute to the total system of life on the planet. Weather studies: E.8.3 Using the science themes during the process of investigation, describe climate, weather, ocean currents, soil movements and changes in the forces acting on the earth. The lessons can be used as part of a math lesson as many of the projects involve calculating energies, measuring and recording observations and calculating changes in measurements over time, and converting measurements.

How would you/could you use these slideshow for a lesson? What things would you need to consider before using these materials?

Here is one example of a backward design template. A fill-able Word version will be posted in course documents.

Free video streaming, lesson plans, and other resources from ECB and PBS. Use this web site to find video resources and lessons to support your big ideas. For all grade levels and all science strands.

EEK! is managed by the Wisconsin DNR and supports mostly environmental education and some life and environmental science. The site is an environmental education resource for elementary and middle-school students. Content is written in an accessible format for students and is available in both English and Spanish. This resource could be used to integrate math (population, size), social studies/geography (mapping) and reading.

Jackie, this is great!!!

If you are lucky, your school district will purchase a subscription, although there are some free videos!

Do you know where/how Earth Day started? What do you think about the idea of "every day is earth day"?

This collection is meant to be utilized by teachers state-wide. Resources (activity guides, picture books, trade books, videos) can be checked out through a simple request and sent to teachers through the South Central Library System. Books are checked out for a month but are very easy to renew. Resources for all ages.

This resource supports all areas of science and environmental education. ECB is a state agency that supports technology in the classroom. Staff, mostly former teachers, put together "Surf Reports" which are collections of effective web sites on different subject areas. Climate Wisconsin is a new project with short (4 min) videos sharing stories of life in Wisconsin tied to our natural resources. It allows middle and high school students to stop and think "what would happen if the climate changed?" WiStem.org provides a link to another ECB web site that supports Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

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Hey you should really read this. It would be great as a part of your mid-term!