Outdoor Education Commons^™

Contents, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

The Coalition for Education in the Outdoors is a non-profit network of outdoor and environmental education centers, nature centers, conservation and recreation organizations, outdoor education and experiential education associations, institutions of higher learning, public and private schools, fish and wildlife agencies, and businesses that share a mission the support and furtherance of outdoor education and its goals.

Review Of Spinning Tales, Weaving Hope: Stories, Storytelling And Activities For Peace, Justice And The Environment, Kerry A. Masarik-Pryor

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

Once upon a time in a land not so far away, five professional storytellers realized they had something in common. Their commonality was telling stories that would promote a greater good in the world; soon the five storytellers became The Stories for World Change Network. These individuals believed that telling stories would aid in the development of values, emotions, and academic and life skills. On the basis of this belief, Spinning Tales, Weaving Hope was created. This book became a well-known compilation of stories from around the world that addressed issues of difference, conflict resolution, trust, justice, and peace.

Toward A Living Literacy: Environmental Education And The Story Of Place, Patrick Howard

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

Undoubtedly, science has its place in environmental education, but the creation of an environmentally conscious citizenry is more than it alone can bear. The truth it offers is not the truth of which we are in need. Our children learn about things, yet there is little investiture of who they are or an exploration of their fundamental connection to their place.

Tinkling Cymbals And Sounding Brass: Hearing The Different Drum, Michael L. Umphrey

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

After researching a hundred-year environmental history of what seemed to be nonstop economic troubles, the kids concluded this way: "We looked to Libby's past for answers to our current troubles. But we didn't find answers. What we found was that life had always been difficult, but that our grandparents and great-grandparents had always found a way to help each other and get along. And so will we."

Review Of Born With A Bang: The Universe Tells Our Cosmic Story, & From Lava To Life: The Universe Tells Our Earth Story, Dodi Hathazi

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

Born with a Bang and From Lava to Life, books one and two of a three part series (the third will be available in 2005), artistically tell the story of the beginning of the universe, the creation of Earth, and the development of its diverse life forms. Morgan and Anderson incorporate Western science, art, and poetry with a tone of spiritual connectedness that emphasizes our place as humans within the creation process and the universal web of existence. The visually delightful artistry and simplistic writing style contrast markedly with the complicated scientific content making their intended audience unclear. However, infusing …

Storytelling - An Interview With Joseph Cornell, Charles Yaple

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

Storytelling has been an integral part of outdoor education since humans first began to try to explain their earthly experience and the mysteries of the natural world surrounding them. Currently, there is a resurgence of interest in storytelling as a method of motivating students and enhancing instructional endeavors. Taproot Editor Charles Yaple interviewed one of the leading storytellers in the world: Joseph Cornell, author, nature educator, and creator of the Sharing Nature Foundation in Nevada City, California. Cornell discusses his experiences with storytelling.

Review Of The Passionate Fact: Storytelling In Natural History And Cultural Interpretation, Charles Yaple

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

The phrase, "a must read" aptly fits this book if one is going to be an interpreter of natural or cultural history, an environmental educator, outdoor educator, or a teacher of any sort. Storytelling is an art, and Susan Strauss has mastered it to the point that she can explain the intricacies of orchestrating a good story. Recognized as one of the finest storytellers in the country, Strauss shows readers how to make ordinary information and scientific facts come alive. Professional performances, during a twenty year career, at institutions such as the National Geographic Society and the Smithsonian Museum lend …

The Environment Of Education: Identifying Effects Of The Hidden Curriculum On Students' Environmental Perceptions, Values, And Attitudes, Amy Duckert

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

Our relationship with our environment is a function of culture and personal experience. Environmental perceptions, values, and attitudes are therefore linked to cultural standards. As Saul (2000) has stated, "Environmental problems result from environmental practices, and environmental practices are cultural activities" (p. 5). The link between environmental issues and cultural practices is clear, but the question of how to change cultural norms is a difficult one. Some environmental theorists claim the environmental movement has not paid enough attention to culture and has therefore failed to address problems at their true cause (Saul, 2000; Bowers, 1997).

Conference Calendar, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

This section provides a list of conferences in the field of outdoor education including NRPA (National Recreation Parks Association) and NSEE (National Society for Experiential Education).

From The Editor, Charles Yaple

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

Because story does have such significant potential, your Taproot editors have adopted it as the theme for this issue. We proudly begin with an interview of one of the world's most renowned contemporary storytellers, Joseph Cornell. Readers of Taproot will undoubtedly be familiar with Joseph's work (e.g. Sharing Nature with Children) to one degree or another. Now they can read first-hand his thoughts about the importance of story and what his many years of experience suggest leads to effective storytelling.

Review Of John Muir: My Life With Nature, Rob Andrejewski

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

More than 100 years ago, John Muir began speaking in defense of wilderness, captivating audiences with his unconventional style and complete absorption in the wonder and joy of the land. Though Muir spoke esoterically about transcendent "spirit beams" and the beauty of Yosemite's "range of light," his sincerity and emotion shook something deep within the national consciousness. His books and speaking tours energized the wilderness movement, invigorating supporters of the natural preservation system that would help define the country. Never before or since has the United States, possibly the world, had such a charismatic and enthusiastic champion of the wild …

Profesional Opportunities, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

This section included numerous opportunities for professional development related to outdoor education and environmental or conservation education. Some of the options included the "Southern African Journal Of Environmental Education, Ethics and Action" and the "Wetland Youth Leadership Program".

News Briefs, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

This section contains multiple brief news items related to conservation, environment or outdoor education. Some titles include: "Car Free Possibilities" and "Privatization Does Not Pay".

Resources, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

This section contains a listing of teaching resources of all types for those who work in the outdoor education field at the time of publication. Some items highlighted include: "The Chiji Pocket Processor" and "Storytelling Treasury: Live from the 20th National Storytelling Festival".

Nebline, November/December 2003

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

ABC’s for Good Health because Every Woman Matters!
Stretch Your Food Dollar - Create-A-Casserole Chart
Preparing and Using Pine Cones For Decoration
Forcing Spring-Flowering Bulbs
Garden Guide
Choosing and Caring for Indoor Trees
Understanding Nebraska’s Open Burning Law
“Megaforces of Agriculture” Seminar
Storage Methods to Reduce Hay Losses
Fall is a Great Time to Control Winter Annual Weeds
Consider Stand Density, Weeds When Rotating Alfalfa
Thoroughly Modern Thanksgiving: Turkey Cooking Tips
Healthy Eating: Enjoy Nebraska Foods
Making Changes in Eating Behavior
Web Resources of the Month
Lines from Lynn
Household Hints: Holiday Stain Removal for Washable Fabrics
FCE Achievement Night …

Nebline, October 2003

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Check Your Home for Biological Pollutants
Growing Hardy Bulbs
Garden Guide
Time for Garden Cleanup
Storing Vegetables
Horticulture Information Center
Hints for Fruit Storage
Get Started on Your Winter Bird Feeding Program
Hedge Apples: Not a Good Insect Repellent
What are Zoonoses?
Last Household Hazardous Waste Collection!
Don’t Become a Farm Accident Statistic
Add Lime Now for Next Spring’s Alfalfa
Fatality Rate Higher for Senior Farmers
Protect Hearing on the Farm
Preparing an Emergency Water Supply
Site Evaluation
Maintaining Rubber Tires on Farm Equipment
ATVenture Workshop at Halsey 4-H Camp
Ak-Sar-Ben Youth Expo Winners
Charter Club Applications Due Oct. 31 …

Nebline, September 2003

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Food Safety Q & A Is This Food Still Safe to Eat?
Garden Guide
Planting Under Established Trees
Seasonal Needle Drop on Evergreens
Drying Gourds
Horticulture Information Center
Is it Really a “Sweat Bee”?
Odd Insects Found in Late Summer
West Nile Virus Alert!
West Nile Virus Q &A
Fall Livestock and Grain Price Outlook Meeting Scheduled
Time to Control Problem Weeds
Preparing Bins to Maintain Grain Quality, Value
Biosolids Increase Yields While Reducing Fertilizer Costs
Burning Wood Safely in a Stove or Fireplace
Water Quality Standards Apply To Public, Not Private Drinking Water
Lagoon Design and Construction
Store It, …

Nebline, August 2003

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Lessons Learned Through Garbology
Pesticide Disposal Collection Aug. 18
Deadline Approaches to Terminate Verbal Farm Leases
Nebraska Fence Viewer Statutes Cover Fence Issues
Fertilizing Crop Land with Biosolids
West Nile Virus is of Concern to Horse Owners During the Summer
Growing Conifers from Seed
Water Trees According to Soil Type
Recognizing Tree Hazards
Healthy Eating: Enjoy Nebraska Foods
Freezing Peppers and Tomatoes
Teaching Proper Hand Washing to School Children
FREE class: Healthy Cooking for 1 or 2
Web Resources of the Month
Lines from Lynn
Household Hints
September Council Meeting
Achievement Meeting
Leader Training
Re-Organizational Packets
Five Steps to a …

Nebline, July 2003

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

2003 Lancaster County Fair
Discover 4-H at the Fair!
Fragrance in the Garden
Vegetable Gardening In The Fall
Garden Guide
Powdery Mildew on Ornamentals
Horticulture Information Center
Landfill Rates Haven.t Changed Since 1996
Adult Mosquito Control
Landfill 2003 Fees
About Opossums
Visit 4-H Web Cam
Selling CRP Land? What You Should Know
Plant Alfalfa in August
Nitrate Sampling Strategies
Don.t Forget About Prussic Acid
Farmers Market Pricing Strategies
Fertilizing Trees
In Dry Weather, Watering More Critical For Some Plants
Handling Food Safely on the Road
Healthy Eating: Enjoy Nebraska Foods
Bowl Them Over with Pears!
Moms Learn About Good Nutrition …

Nebline, June 2003

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Norris Students Get a Grade of Job “Well” Done in Innovative Project
Watch for Squash Vine Borer
Water Use in the Landscape
Low Water Use Flowers for Your Landscape
Garden Guide
Horticulture Information Center
What’s New with Pressure Treated Lumber
West Nile Virus Concerns Horse Owners
Dead Birds Being Accepted for Testing
Do all Mosquitoes Carry West Nile Virus?
Information for Acreage and Small Farm Owners
Time to Harvest Bromegrass Hay
Ammoniate Wheat Straw for Extra Feed
2003 Pesticide Container Recycling Dates
Tanks vs. Ponds and Creeks for Livestock Water
Preparing the Lawn for a Potential Drought
Fertilizing Azaleas
Know …

Nebline, May 2003

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Grasshoppers Thrive in Drought Conditions
Grasshopper Identification
Reducing Energy Bills for Irrigation
2003 Pesticide Container Recycling Dates
Latest U.S. Drought Monitor Map
Buffalograss - The Other Green Grass
Careful Spraying is a Key to Preventing Foliage Damage
Squirrels Cause Spring Frustration
Weather & Climate Information on the Web
Weed Control Essential for New Seedlings
How to Fill Up, Not Out! (Part 2)
Healthy Eating: Enjoy Nebraska Foods
Fitness For You!
Web Resources of the Month
Lines from Lynn
Household Hints: Storing Garments
  Family Community Education (FCE) Council Meeting
Sizzling Summer Sampler
When Times are Tough: In the Aftermath of War …

A Tree Study Curriculum For Second Grade, Deborah Blankman

Graduate Student Independent Studies

A TREE STUDY: For Second Grade, was designed to give students the opportunity to experience and explore first-hand the life cycle of a particular tree in Central Park. Trees are a natural topic for young students to study. They are part of the basic life cycle here on earth. Children are familiar with them having seen or been around them since birth. In my case, because of my school's close proximity to Central Park, the students had the luxury of being able to basically go out in their own backyard any time they wanted a first hand view of what …

The Role Of The Environment In Adventure And Outdoor Education, Todd Miner

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

Outdoor education is all about the outdoors, the natural environment, right? That certainly used to be the case, as students were immersed in the out of doors and spent time learning about natural history, ecology, or environmental issues.

Today, however, that common sense assumption has been changing to the point that some now consider "outdoor education" an outdated or imprecise label. Increasingly, we see programs identify themselves either as adventure education or environmental education. Even those programs that still use the term outdoor education or recreation in their titles are focusing more on leadership, teambuilding, and personal growth, as opposed …

Resources, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

This section contains a listing of teaching resources of all types for those who work in the outdoor education field at the time of publication. Some items highlighted include: "Amazing Animal Activity Program" (an animal tracking kit) and "From the Folks at Outward Bound" (The Outward Bound Earthbook is a field guide to environmental concerns).

Review Of Consider The Earth: Environmental Activities For Grades 4-8, Second Edition, Kerry A. Masarik-Pryor

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

Consider the Earth is an environmental guide that provides educators with background information on ecological issues, natural history and a variety of hands-on activities. Each lesson includes activity objectives, preparation requirements, materials, and vocabulary words. Friendly to use, this book is divided into ten themes focusing on soil, plants, water, wildlife, weather, environmental problems, oceans, ecosystems, and bibliographic information.

News Briefs, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

This section contains multiple brief news items related to conservation, environment or outdoor education.

Professional Opportunities, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

This section included numerous opportunities for professional development related to outdoor education and environmental or conservation education. Some of the options included the "New England Journal of Environmental Education - Call for Submissions" and "Leave No Trace Master Educator and Trainer Courses".

P.E.E.R. (Professional Environmental Educator's Resource) Guide: A Naturalist's Booklist For Children, Kerry A. Masarik-Pryor

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

The P.E.E.R. Guide is a new section of Taproot designed to be a communication from a professional in the field of outdoor and environmental education to the community at large. The resources reviewed in each P.E.E.R. Guide have proven valuable and are recommended by the author.

Review Of The Book On Raccoon Circles, Carol Navarro

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

The Book on Raccoon Circles is a collection of active learning and adventure-based activities and initiatives that employ few or no props. Raccoon Circles, which were created and popularized by Dr. Tom Smith, are pieces of one-inch tubular webbing knotted into a loop of about four feet in diameter. The Book on Raccoon Circles demonstrates how with. the aid of this simple, ·portable device, anyon~ can facilitate meaningful activities for groups of any size.

Environmental Sensitivity And Youthful Participation In Outdoor Recreation, Tinelle Bustam

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

Over the last twenty-five years, a number of researchers have attempted to understand what makes people care about the environment or what underlies "environmental sensitivity." Early research on significant life experiences of environmental activists suggested that such appreciation began at a young age and in outdoor settings (Tanner, 1980; Peterson, 1982). Dunlap and Heffernan (1975) found a relationship between participation in nature-based recreation and environmental sensitivity. Other studies have found no relationship (Geisler, Martinson, & Wilkening, 1977) or only weak to moderate relationships between outdoor activity and environmental concern (Van Liere & Noe, 1981; Jackson, 1987; Theodori, Luloff, & Willits, …