The Development and Implementation Plan of an Infused 1-5 Environmental Education Program for the Little Chute Elementary School Interdisciplinary Curriculum
File(s)
Date
1996-07Author
McDermot, Jennifer L.
Publisher
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, College of Natural Resources
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
The purpose of this project was to develop a curriculum document which infuses
environmental education into present grades 1 - 5 teaching themes at Little Chute
Elementary School in Little Chute, Wisconsin.
The intended outcome of this effort was to create a meaningful document for the
teachers. A document which would first and foremost be used by the teachers. A
document which would mesh present whole language teaching themes with expected
Environmental Education (EE) goals.
To accomplish this goal, the thematic curriculum was examined, the EE goats
identified, and the two fused together in a semantic map for the teacher's working
curriculum document. Another "administrative" document was created so an overall
scope of the 1 - 5 infusion process is documented and available.
Support was provided to teachers, for two years, through a full-time Science and
EE Resource person on staff at the elementary school. This support person was able to
coordinate all efforts of the Science and EE curriculum development.
An evaluation was given to the staff after an in service meeting in May of 1996 .
It was found that the new document will be helpful and give meaning-to expected EE
goals and improve the delivery of EE to the students.
The process of infusion will allow the EE material to be covered but not taught
as another subject area. A resource person will continue to support the program
through the 1996-1997 school year. Knowledge of this support has reduced staff
anxiety.
Overall, the program's acceptance was positive.