Wyalusing...Here to Stay?
Introduction
Outdoor Education has been a part of your school's curriculum for many years. Most students have great memories of their experiences at Wyalusing. Unfortunately, your school district is looking for some ways to trim its budget. Outdoor education/Wyalusing is one program that is being reviewed and could possibly be cut. Many students, possibly some being your younger brothers and sisters, may not get the chance to enjoy the wonderful experience of Wyalusing. What can you do about this? How can you help to make sure that the Wyalusing tradition continues.
Task
As students who got to experience Wyalusing, you are being asked by teachers and parents to make a case to the school board as to why the Wyalusing tradition should continue. As you complete this webquest you will work cooperatively using personal experience, as well as facts about outdoor education to create a presentation for the school board on the importance of Wyalusing.
Process
1. In pairs, use your experiences at Wyalusing to brainstorm a list of the benefits of the Wyalusing trip. Think about....What did you learn or discover about the outdoors? about yourself? about others?
2. Use the links below to read about outdoor education. What does the research say about the benefits of outdoor education? Include TWO research based argument in your presentation. You can use quotes or paraphrase the research, but be sure to include the website reference.
Web Sites to use for your research
1. Youtube Video on Outdoor Education
2. Back to School: Back Outside
3. 11 Proven Benefits of Outdoor Education
4. Values and Benefits of Outdoor Education, Training and Recreation
5. The Great Outdoors
6. Teaching and Learning in Nature
7. Institute for Outdoor Learning
8. Environmental education resources, Why Teach Outside?
Be sure to cite your sources.
3. Get your facts together and outline your presentation on paper.
4. Review Powerpoint guidelines.
5. Create your Powerpoint Be sure your argument includes both personal experience and the research. Your presentation should include pictures from your experience at Wyalusing that could help to make your case.
6. Present your case to the rest of the class using your PowerPoint Presentation.
Evaluation
Conclusion
Congratulations you have made your case for why our school district should continue the tradition of Wyalusing. Classes upon classes of students to come thank you for your efforts in saving this very important part of our curriculum. Surely, the school board will take into account your arguments when making their decision.
Introduction
Outdoor Education has been a part of your school's curriculum for many years. Most students have great memories of their experiences at Wyalusing. Unfortunately, your school district is looking for some ways to trim its budget. Outdoor education/Wyalusing is one program that is being reviewed and could possibly be cut. Many students, possibly some being your younger brothers and sisters, may not get the chance to enjoy the wonderful experience of Wyalusing. What can you do about this? How can you help to make sure that the Wyalusing tradition continues.
Task
As students who got to experience Wyalusing, you are being asked by teachers and parents to make a case to the school board as to why the Wyalusing tradition should continue. As you complete this webquest you will work cooperatively using personal experience, as well as facts about outdoor education to create a presentation for the school board on the importance of Wyalusing.
Process
1. In pairs, use your experiences at Wyalusing to brainstorm a list of the benefits of the Wyalusing trip. Think about....What did you learn or discover about the outdoors? about yourself? about others?
- What skills did you gain?
- What types of things did you learn that just can't be taught in a book?
2. Use the links below to read about outdoor education. What does the research say about the benefits of outdoor education? Include TWO research based argument in your presentation. You can use quotes or paraphrase the research, but be sure to include the website reference.
Web Sites to use for your research
1. Youtube Video on Outdoor Education
2. Back to School: Back Outside
3. 11 Proven Benefits of Outdoor Education
4. Values and Benefits of Outdoor Education, Training and Recreation
5. The Great Outdoors
6. Teaching and Learning in Nature
7. Institute for Outdoor Learning
8. Environmental education resources, Why Teach Outside?
Be sure to cite your sources.
3. Get your facts together and outline your presentation on paper.
4. Review Powerpoint guidelines.
5. Create your Powerpoint Be sure your argument includes both personal experience and the research. Your presentation should include pictures from your experience at Wyalusing that could help to make your case.
6. Present your case to the rest of the class using your PowerPoint Presentation.
Evaluation
- Give students the presentation rubric beforehand, so they know what to expect.
- Pairs of students will use the rubric to self-evaluate their project.
Conclusion
Congratulations you have made your case for why our school district should continue the tradition of Wyalusing. Classes upon classes of students to come thank you for your efforts in saving this very important part of our curriculum. Surely, the school board will take into account your arguments when making their decision.