The Nature Of Teaching Brings The Maine Outdoors Into K-5 Classrooms

[caption id="attachment_2984" align="alignright" width="496"] Recognizing different types of animal tracks showcases the variety of wildlife that call different habitats home.[/caption] With just several open spots remaining, teachers interested in bringing the Maine outdoors into their classroom should register now for the upcoming Nature of Teaching workshops, created by Purdue University in conjunction with the MaineDepartment of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife These two-day seminars are designed to help kindergarten through fifth-grade teachers educate their students on wildlife as well as health and wellness topics with a focus on science, the environment, and getting students connected with nature and the outdoors. [caption id="attachment_2986" align="alignleft" width="423"] Classroom excercises demonstrate the food web and ecosystem utilizing a jenga game.[/caption] Teachers will receive a classroom resource binder that is which contains 15-20 lesson plans that are suitable for STEM Standards, English/Language Arts, and Health and Wellness. All attendees can also receive a $200 stipend for integrating these lessons into the classroom. Participants also earn 16 professional growth plan points. The workshops are being held on the following dates and locations:

• July 12-13, 2018 at MDIFW Headquarters in Gray, ME.  15 Game Farm Rd., Gray, ME.
• July 16-17, 2018 at Fields Pond Audubon Center in Holden, ME.  216 Fields Pond Rd, Holden, ME.

To register for a workshop, visit the Nature of Teaching website at purdue.edu/nature. Registration is $25, which is refundable upon completion of the course. Please make checks payable to Purdue University and mail to Rod Williams, 195 Marsteller Street,West Lafayette, IN 47907-2033. The two day seminar will include lectures and activities as well as guided field exercises with educators from Purdue and wildlife biologists from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Studies have shown that children learning in an outdoor environment can yield several positive results including increased attention and improved social relations. Teachers who use outdoor spaces as part of their daily activities can more effectively capture kids’ attention and improve behavior. For additional information or questions, please contact: Rod Williams, Associate Professor & Wildlife Extension Specialist at Purdue University : email: rodw@purdue.edu or call (765) 494-3568 or Robert Cordes,  Wildlife Special Projects Coordinator, at Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife: email:Robert.Cordes@maine.gov or call (207) 287-5293 [caption id="attachment_2987" align="aligncenter" width="727"] Utilizing the outdoors as part of the classroom is essential.[/caption]