Back to Reality...but not forgotten

I really enjoyed the Outdoor Education course. I think having it in Raquette Lake really drove home a few of the topics that we discussed.

1. One of the most meaningful things that I learned about was the Community Supported Agriculture. I found it very interesting. I had never heard about it before but I think it is a great idea. I sent out several emails to local farmers that participate in CSA. It is too late this year to be added but I am on the emailing list for next year and plan to participate in it! I am also continuing to buy from local Farmers Markets. There are so many in the Syracuse area it would be dumb not to go to them.

2. Learning to Kayak was very meaningful to me. It was one of the things that I had not done before but I wanted to try it. I was nervous at first but I knew I could do it. I was very proud of myself on how fast I learned. I will defiantly be Kayaking in the future and would be interested in getting my own Kayak to use when we go camping in the summer.

3. During our week at Raquette Lake I was able to explore a MAC. All my life I have used PC and I love them but it was very interesting to use a MAC. I found that it had many very useful programs, especially for the classroom. I used Comic Life to create a photo story. It took a little work but it came together very nicely. Im pretty sure that my next computer will be a MAC just because of all of the programs and tools it gives you!

4. The high ropes course was very meaningful to me! It was an activity that I was not sure of. When we first began discussing it I was confident that I could do it…..until I saw how high we would be. It was like nothing else I have ever done. I found it to be a great team building tool. It allowed each of us to reach success individually as well as with a group. I did make myself go through with it and am very proud of myself that I completed it. Thanks to Annie and Kevin I also learned that my school district offers further training along with field trips for students. I think it would be a great resource in the classroom!

5. The most meaningful thing throughout the entire week was the integration of technology and the outdoors. I feel that many times it is easier as a teacher to stay in your classrooms and not think out of the box so to speak. But in my mind a great teacher is one that uses all of their resources, integrates across curriculums and uses technology in all subject areas. This concept was illustrated the best the last day of class. Listening and watching everyone’s projects showed how each one of us used both technology and the outdoors to put together a lesson or an idea of a lesson. It also showed that there are many different ways to use both technology and the outdoors.

I took many things away from the course that will affect my classroom and teaching strategies.

1. I will use technology more in my classroom. I will allow students the freedom to use technology and the creativity to create different projects. I will use podcasts in the classroom, use garage band, comic life, ect. Allowing students the opportunity to use technology will only allow them to broaden their horizons and push the envelope to creating new technology. I feel that so many teachers are afraid of technology and I will not be one of those teachers!

2. I will incorporate agriculture in my classroom. I will have my students start a small garden, most likely a potted garden. This will give them the opportunity to tend to plants and watch them grow as well as eat the fruits of their labor. I also think it’s a great idea to get the entire school involved in a garden or plantings trees and flowers. I believe that once students have experienced it they will have more respect for it!

3. All of our discussions seemed to lead to the same end point…we need to get the students outside more! I will use the outdoors as a resource. I will set up lessons that will be taught outdoors, as well as just going outside because it is a beautiful day to read a story. I do not think children are outside enough in this day and age. As educators we need to teach students the importance of staying active and enjoying the outdoors.