When it comes to learning, we are never done. In the words of Confucius, “It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you don’t stop.” Learning helps us to grow, and when we learn we grow in what we know. As students and lifelong learners, we have the ability to grow and deepen our own understandings in whatever areas we choose. From this learning, we can help others and have the ability to change the world.
In our
classrooms, our students are engaged in 21st century learning that
incorporates technology into almost every lesson.Technology allows us to solve real world
problems quickly and efficiently while communicating globally.With our students constantly using technology
and connecting with the outside world, are we losing touch with our outside
environment?Over the past two school
years, I worked with my Administration, Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission and
the Nutley Educational Foundation to assure that our students extend their
learning outside of our building with an outdoor classroom.
As part of our school’s mission to
promote civic responsibility in our students and learn to work outside of the
classroom, this outdoor space is helping us to achieve our goals.In our very near future, I foresee a
beautiful outdoor classroom for out students to learn but also a space that
they will learn to protect.Students
that have opportunities to connect with nature in their natural environment will
learn the importance of protecting their local environments.This small step can lead to students thinking
about their own impact on the environment and what they can do to promote
changes big and small in their own backyard and globally.How does this outdoor classroom stand to help
students achieve in school?I think it
can help in several ways.In one study I
read about involving 24 grade 3 students, two classes were given different
indoor and outdoor treatments to address the same topic in Science.Quantitative data was collected and indicated
that when given a treatment of both indoor and outdoor experiences, the
students performed equally as well with similar pre and post-test scores.Qualitatively, students overwhelmingly
favored the outdoor learning experience with 75% of class A favoring the
outdoor experience while 68% of class B favored this as well.When students have the opportunity to learn
outside the classroom they become a part of their community and will learn to
protect their environment.They can also
spend time learning about the history in our parks, the old mill productions,
Annie Oakley, Red Cross, Lenni Lenape Indians and the Puritans that once were
dispersed through out our parks area.Students will have great interdisciplinary opportunities to engage in
environmental studies and water quality in Science, find area and perimeter for
a Mathematics class, write a poem while surrounded by nature in Language Arts,
play music, paint, and any and everything you can imagine the space will be
able to provide an outlet for us.As an
educator for ten years, I also see the potential of an exciting new opportunity
for students to explore in as something fresh that students will want to also
learn in.
Working to create this outdoor
classroom for Nutley Schools is something that I am most proud of.My teaching career has been filled with
wonderful experiences and this has been by far the largest impact that I can
have on my local community.I know that
students will enjoy this space for years to come.During my graduate studies I have
strengthened my own resolve to pursue Administration as I am looking to make
greater contributions to my local school and community.In the classroom, I get to work with
approximately 20 students at a time and while each experience is unique and
presents its’ own challenges, I am very interested in building relationships
when working with an entire student body and community.According to Rubin (2009),“relationship management is what a
collaborative leader does.It is the
purposeful exercise of behavior, communication, and organizational resources to
affect the perspective, beliefs, and behaviors of another person (generally a
collaborative partner) to influence that person’s relationship with you and
your collaborative enterprise.”(p.2)
The supportive environment that I have worked in during this process has also
allowed me to value the collaboration and resolve it takes to get things done
right.I will take this experience with
me as I work on my next challenge “outside” of the classroom.
References
Dhanapal, S. s.,
& Cally Cheng Yee, L. (2013)A
comparative study of the impacts and students’ perceptions of indoor and
outdoor learning in the science classroom.Asia-Pacific Forum On Science
Learning & Teaching, 14(2), 1-23.
Rubin, H.
(2009).Collaborative Leadership (2nd ed.).Thousand Oaks, California:Corwin.
Thinking back to our roller coaster build, how would Newton's Laws be applied? Explain how at least one of Newton's Laws would apply. Also, how does Potential and Kinetic Energy vary as a cart moves along a roller coaster's path? Be sure to answer these questions in your original post and post a response to at least one classmate.
*Don't just agree or disagree with their response, add something additional to their post.
*Remember to post your initials and class period to receive full credit
Do you think New Horizons will reach Pluto by the year 2015? How is it traveling so many miles? Do you anticipate any problems? Will it leave our Solar System?
Why is it important to follow the steps? Could you solve one of your own problems by using the Scientific Method? Visit: http://www.biology4kids.com/files/studies_scimethod.html
In class today, we discussed The States of Matter. What did you learn? Did you research a state of Matter further? Share with your classmates.www.chem4kids.com
In class this week, we will be building our own model marble roller coasters. Physics is applied when real roller coasters are built and tested. How can you explain physics at work with Roller Coasters?
What:Typed Lab
Report, Graph, Experiment and Oral Presentation
Where:At Home and
School
When:May 21-June 4,
2012
Why:To demonstrate
an understanding of Earth Science while utilizing the steps of the Scientific
Method to solve a problem.
How:Research,
Prepare Rough Draft, Final Typed Report with Graph, Mini-Experiment
demonstration and brief oral presentation to class
1.Students will research a topic in Earth Science
that deals with Weather, Climate, Atmosphere, Earthquakes, Volcanoes or the
Environment.All topics will be selected
in class and must be approved before beginning project.
2.Students will try
to solve a problem like a Scientist would while using the steps to the
Scientific Method.(Problem,
Observations, Hypothesis, Data/Test Hypothesis, Analyze Results, and
Conclusion)
4.Students will
create a rough draft to be proofread in class and will discuss their experiment
in advance with the teacher.
5.A final typed lab
report, graph with source listed and mini-experiment should be completed by
June 4, 2012.All students will be
expected to give a brief oral presentation (overview of their topic), discuss
their graph and demonstrate their experiment for the class.Students must be prepared with all materials
needed to present to the class.
This
project will count as a 2nd Test grade and towards 30% of your
overall grade.Do your best work and
have fun with this project.Please see
me if you have any concerns.
ACT:Inquiry Box, Collect Riddles, Make-up Quiz
3 (Plate Tectonics/Earthquakes) Start Volcanoes lesson today with reading and
notes on Volcanoes.2nd ½
of class-Discuss Final Science Project that will count as 2nd Test
grade for MP#4 (30 %)Students will
pick a topic in Earth Science and try to solve a problem while utilizing the
steps to the Scientific Method.All
students will prepare a typed lab report, graph, experiment and oral
presentation for their topic.All
topics will be selected today.
ASSIGN:Research your topic and print out
information.***No Wikipedia*** See
websites below for some help
5/21
Tuesday
STAND:SAA
OBJ:
SAA
ACT:Students will use their printed information
on their topic and will highlight and take notes for their final
project.All students will begin to
complete their rough draft lab report in class today.Any student who did not complete the
homework assignment will use the textbook to find information on their topic
to complete this assignment.Students
will watch a brainpop video on Volcanoes to reinforce Volcanoes discussion
from yesterday.Students will complete
the video quiz for assessment.
ASSIGN:Work
on lab report rough draft for project
5/22
Wednesday
STAND:SAA
OBJ:
SAA
ACT:Computer
lab 103 today.Students will utilize
the computer lab today to gather additional information on their topic.Students will first complete their rough
draft for their lab report and then they will begin to research a good
experiment to go along with topic.
ASSIGN:Continue
Research for topic, finish rough draft lab report and pick an experiment for
your topic.
5/23
Thursday
STAND:SAA
OBJ:
SAA
ACT:Check project progress, homework and class
work from above.Research famous
volcanic eruptions online with students and read Volcanoes Book on Pompeii to
class.
ASSIGN:
Report to Room 103 tomorrow for Project tomorrow.Bring all materials.
5/24
Friday
STAND:SAAOBJ: SAA
ACT:Computer lab 103 today.Students will complete all research, rough
draft should be done and they should know what they are doing for their
experiment.Students can begin to type
final lab report when complete.
ASSIGN:Work on project, practice your experiment,
RC#8
