Overview The key element to a successful environmental conservation program is education. The younger the student becomes informed about conservation, the easier it is to encourage continued study. This program stresses the "hands-on" approach. If the program is exciting and challenging to students, they will learn whether they realize it or not.
Purpose Living in a small farming community, many of our students have a basic understanding of outdoor education. However, we also have students who have very little contact with the natural environment outside city limits. This program is designed to enhance the knowledgeable students awareness as well as introduce inexperienced students to various facets of their natural environment. We believe this exposure will emphasize the importance of conservation and create an interest in nature and conserving the natural environment. It is important to discover what type of previous knowledge the students may have about the outdoors.
Objectives Students will be able to:
viii. Increase self-reliance and confidence in completing a difficult and seemingly unattainable goal.
Resources /Materials
First-aid box
Activities and Procedures As the title of the Lesson implies, this activity will involve the students in outdoor exercises. This is an activity that is suitable for a holiday camp. This activity will translate theory into practice.
ix. Arrange for the students to participate in a one (1) week course of instruction on the proper use and interpretation of a directional compass. This encompasses the use of cardinal, inter-cardinal, and degrees of direction in determining the proper course of transit.
x. Take the students on a one (1) day field trip conducted on 160 acres of land with a wide variety of terrain. The teacher must have identified the terrain before taking the class there. As usual all arrangement for the safety of the students would have been taken care of.
xi. Students will be divided into four groups and will attend four 45-minute classes on the following areas; soil and water conservation, forestry, wildlife identification and conservation, and first aid. Individuals trained and working in their respective field conduct these classes.
xii. The afternoon will be spent in navigating orienteering courses designed for each grade level using the skills developed in the one-week preparation course presented in the classroom and on the playground. These courses range in distance from 3/4 of a mile to 1 1/2 miles. The fourth grade course is designed to use cardinal directions; the fifth grade course is designed for cardinal and inter- cardinal directions; while the sixth grade course is set on degrees. Using this basic plan for the courses, the students progress each year to a more challenging course and thus increase their proficiency in the use of a compass.
Tying it all together The experience of a teacher who had organized a similar program is recorded here: This program not only involves students and teachers in our school but students and teachers from other communities. The patrons in our community are as eager to attend the outdoor education program as are our students. This year we had 106 students involved, and 39 sponsors were present. The sponsors range from parents and grandparents to people in the community that just love to be around young people. This is a program that will not only have students working together but will encourage the support and interest of the community. Through hard work, dedication, and cooperation with the community, this program will continue to grow and prosper.
Assessment Ask the children to develop Posters on how to keep their environment healthy. Grade them. How are environmental issues tackled it their community?
Suggestions/Modifications
- The lessons and activities may be conducted in the afternoons if the instructor cannot take the students on a trip.
- The instructor may invite local experts to give guest lectures on any of the topics from this lesson.
- Students may make directional compasses or maps if they are not available.