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Hampden Meadows School

Hampden Meadows School. Outdoor Classroom. Rationale for Outdoor Classroom.

morgana-arlais
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Hampden Meadows School

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  1. Hampden Meadows School Outdoor Classroom

  2. Rationale for Outdoor Classroom • Studies repeatedly report that “scientific and environmental attitudes are well established and extremely resistant to change by the age of 12” (Cronin-Jones, 2000). By providing this type of education to children at the elementary grade level, we are reaching them at an age when they are naturally and actively searching for more information about the world around them. Their attitudes towards the environment are not yet firmly established. These outdoor learning experiences allow for children to build knowledge and develop necessary concepts regarding science education as well as our environment. • Students are exposed to scientific inquiry through active learning. • Studies support that outdoor learning environments reduce the amount of negative behaviors throughout a school day. • Children are more invested and interested in the content they learn if it is relevant and hands on.

  3. Barrington Education Foundation Grant $6,500.00 to Audubon Society • Analysis of outdoor space • Outdoor science tasks tied to Barrington 4th and 5th grade science curriculum (30 binders) • Integrated curriculum-mathematics, art and literacy • Teacher training –August 22, 2012 • 3 outdoor tool kits (include a variety of field guides, critter boxes, boxes with covers that magnify, pond nets, insect nets, soil sifter, thermometers-soil and water) • Professional literature for teachers on science inquiry for HMS library • One Small Square series- 2 sets for the HMS library • Weather station with software and remote control

  4. Collaboration Audubon Society HMS teachers Parent Volunteers Department of Public Works Town Planner Barrington Education Foundation

  5. Curriculum • Teaching Outdoors • Natural History of Hampden Meadows • Scientist notebooks and nature journaling • Language Arts in Nature • Nature Games • Data Sheets • 4th Grade Topics • Animal Adaptations and Life Cycles • Human and Animal Comparisons • Plant Adaptations and Life Cycles • Habitats and Ecosystems • Water Ecosystems • Earth Materials • 5th Grade Topics • Weather • Water Cycle • Planetary Science • Seasons

  6. Soil Investigations Teacher training-soil investigation (August 22, 2012) Soil from the outdoor classroom processed through a soil sifter. This allows students to discover exactly what earth materials make-up local soil. Barrington soil can then be compared to soil samples from other geographic areas. Scientist notebook entry

  7. 5th grade Foliage Investigation • Record the fall color observed on each species of tree. • Record what percentage of that tree is a particular color. • Repeat for 3-4 different individuals of the same species of tree. • Calculate the Total Mean (average) Percentage of that color for the tree

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