3 CreditsSpHC 212EnEd 4555 Foundations of EE(Spring 2007)3 Credits9:30-11:50 ThursdaysSpHC 212Instructor: Dr. Julie (Athman) ErnstOffice: 241 EngrOffice Hours: M-F 12:00-1:00Phone: 726-6761Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Web URL: www.d.umn.edu/~jernst (select EnEd 4555 from course list)Course Description: This course provides an introduction to environmental education (EE). The purpose of this course is to develop the knowledge and skills for providing quality, age-appropriate EE for students in the formal classroom setting. The emphasis is on EE curriculum materials, resources, and programs that can be used with students in settings at or near their schools to support both school curricular and environmental literacy goals. Additional emphasis will be on using the outdoor winter environment as a source of environmental education experiences. This course involves an overnight experience at the Laurentian Environmental Center, teaching a literature-based lesson in a local elementary school classroom, and culminates in teaching a series of three lessons in a local elementary school classroom. *Note: REC 2300 Recreation Programming is a pre-requisite for this course!Course Objectives:1. Develop an understanding of environmental education, including its goalsand objectives, historical development, and key characteristics, and underlying learning theories2. Discuss barriers to incorporating environmental education into the preK-12 formal education setting.3. Explain the need for environmental education, including its relevance to the preK-12 formal education setting.4. Respond to criticisms of EE, providing a rational for the incorporation of environmental education into formal classroom settings.5. Develop a familiarity with EE curricular resources, programs, and materials, including documents that guide EE in MN and nationally. 6. Develop and implement age-appropriate EE lesson plans that support both educational goals/standards and environmental literacy goals7. Use the outdoor winter environment as a context for environmental education lessons.8. Explain broad instructional approaches to providing environmental education to students in formal classroom contexts, such as use of school forests, environmental service-learning, issue investigation, phenology-based, and environment-based education.1Course Expectations:1. Attendance is required for this course. This class is made up of learning experiences that are sequential and often involve real-world applications in the schools. In order to receive points for these experiences, you mustbe there! If you already know of conflicts with your schedule, this may not be the semester to take this course. Your final grade will be lowered a full grade for every two unexcused absences (absences other than approved school activities and illnesses with a doctor’s note)!2. Be prepared for class. Have your readings and assignments completed before you come to class. Bring your syllabus to each class.3. Actively participate in class. By actively participating, you will get the most out of this course and help others learn from your experiences.4. Respect the formal learning environment. This includes arriving and leaving on time, making sure cell phones are off, and being open to the opinions and ideas of others. This also includes professional presentationof assignments and abiding by the University’s academic conduct policies.5. Ask for assistance. We each have different learning needs and preferences; if something is unclear or if you need alternative opportunities to learn the course topics, please ask!Required Textbooks: (available in UMD Bookstore)1. Sobel, D. (1996). Beyond ecophobia. Great Barrington, MA: The Orion Society 2. Project Wet Curriculum Guide 3. Grant, T & Littlejohn, G. (2005). Teaching green: The elementary years. Gabriola Island. BC: New Society Publishers. *Please bring this text to class during the first half of the course.Optional: Teaching Green in the Middle School Years, also available in the UMD bookstore.Course Schedule:Date TopicAssignment Due1/18 -Course Introduction-Definitions, goals and objectives, historical foundations of EE-EE v. OE-“The Roots of Environmental Education” (course website)1/25 -Need for EE (environmental issues and Americans’ level of environmental literacy)- Environmental advocacy v. EE-Characteristics of Quality EE (accuracy, depth, skill building, action orientation)- Env. Issue due-“Why Kids Need Nature” reading (course website)- “Two Hats” reading (course website)- “On Thinner Ice” reading (course website)2/1 -Relevance of EE to -“EnviroEducation” reading (course 2schools/students in classroom settings; Benefits-Barriers to EE in schools -Criticisms of EE in schools-Goals for Curriculum Development in EEwebsite)-“Classroom Warfare” reading (course website)-“Goals for Curriculum Developmentin EE” (course website)2/8 -Characteristics of Quality EE: Instructional Soundness (Age- Appropriate; Inclusion/ Diversity; Learning Styles; Interdisciplinary; Experiential)-Identifying and Evaluating EE Resources/Curricula- Beyond Ecophobia text -Bring EE curriculum guide (NOT a single lesson plan) -Familiarize yourself with “EE Materials: Guidelines for Excellence” (course website)2/15 -Guiding Documents for EE in MN Schools (EE Scope and Sequence and State Standards)-Goals and Objectives: Meshing EEGoals with Education Goals-Experiential Learning Cycle-Teaching Strategies-Assessing Student Learning-Putting it Together: Lesson Plans*Laurentian assignment given-Familiarize yourself with “Environmental Literacy Scope and Sequence” and “MN State Science Standards” (course website)2/22 TENTATIVE: Class not meeting, due to Laurentian weekend; use this time for final preparations for your Laurentian lesson (OR PROJECT WET TRAINING)2/23-2/24Laurentian ELC trip*Meet in SpHC lobby at 3:45 Friday; return to UMD by 5 pm Saturday-Winter Lesson Plan (bring lesson materials and person gear)- “Enhancing Natural Resource Programs with Field Trips” reading (course website)-“Field Trip Tips” reading (course website)3/1 Project Wet Training*9:15-11:45*Description of Laurentian Trips and Assignments; sign up for teaching slots3/8 Project Wet Training and Preparation for North Shore Teaching of Project Wet Lesson*9:15-11:453/15 Spring Break – Class not meeting!33/22 Teacher Panel: