[Note- Here are the notes I took that day, edited for clarity]
Notes – Day 2 Session 1
Eco-explorations for the primary classroom through children’s literature and hands-on learning
Environmental Education for Children
1 1/2-hour session — limit 4 presenters
First- to Third-Graders
11/3/2016 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Concourse Hall 150AB
Los Angeles Convention Center
Monica Cooper, Adelanto Elementary School District; Fred Chapel, Professor, Antioch University Los Angeles
Open children’s eyes to the natural world and basic concepts in conservation with memorable books and cooperative-learning games and activities. This workshop highlights several children’s books on environmental themes appropriate for the K-2 classroom. The presenter will also lead participants in motivational, inquiry-based activities that build literacy skills while teaching about “needs vs. wants” and human ecology. In this hands-on session, the presenter will provide an overview of the ecological themes to be covered: how human settlements grow; how people use natural resources to meet their basic needs for food and energy; and the importance of achieving a sustainable balance between people and nature. She will then highlight the multi-disciplinary learning skills that are incorporated in the hands-on activities to be presented, emphasizing how they meet the Common Core State Standards. For each of the themes covered, she will provide recommended children’s books to enhance the conceptual learning and build literacy skills. Examples of presented activities include an interactive story with props to illustrate the health of a local river, math activities exploring supply and demand of resources, and role-playing games that explore habitat needs and carrying capacity in nature. These activities use visual cues that make them accessible to all kinds of learners.
Students sing song about what they (as a plant) need to grow
Activity to see what happens when there are too many plants in the ‘pot’ (taped square on floor)
crowding with seeds
National Geographic – plastic globe
Toss globe and if the finger lands on LAND or WATER – to illustrate world made of mostly water
[Role playing stories]
“Big Buddies” – pair
go fishy video (puppets)
[This made me think — Q: How do I connect to the community in the Palisades?]