Education Commons^™

Preparing Teachers For Place-Based Teaching, Amy Vinlove

Occasional Paper Series

This paper begins by offering two portraits of recent teacher education graduates providing place-based teaching in their classrooms, followed by a description of the knowledge, skills, and dispositions teachers (new or seasoned) must possess to effectively teach in a place-based manner. Next is a short discussion of the importance of experience and application of these tenets. Finally, there are three examples of activities and assignments my colleagues and I have developed for our teacher preparation program. We aim for these experiences to help inspire and prepare our graduates to integrate their local communities and places into their own classrooms, whether …

Learning Naturally: An Inquiry Study Of Streams In Hawaii, Becca Kesler

Occasional Paper Series

Describes a teacher-guided, place-based inquiry curriculum.

"I anticipated that it would give my students opportunities for exploration, critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, and collaboration, while developing a relationship with the natural world. This is the story I would like to share. My hope is that it will provide other teachers with the inspiration to consider the rich learning opportunities available in their local environments." -- Author

Learning With Street Trees, Sigrun Wolff Saphire

Graduate Student Independent Studies

Learning With Street Trees is an original curriculum for fourth and fifth grade students written by Sigrun Wolff Saphire. The curriculum's eight lessons span the school year from fall to early summer. In each season, fall, winter, spring, and early summer, students work with a number of street trees near their school. They engage in nature observation and drawing, data collection, and interpretation. They practice critical thinking, problem-solving, cooperation, and communication. Throughout the curriculum, the development of science-inquiry skills combines with art making and hands-on tree stewardship. The curriculum culminates in student-initiated community projects.