EducationUsingtheEnvironment.docVIP

Education Using the Environment Edward H. Falco Environmental Education Consultant South Carolina Department of Education “I have a learning disorder and I can’t read well. Now our classes are like living books and I can learn so much better without feeling bad about myself. Teachers are actually listening to my opinions and we respect each other.” (7th grade female student) One can only Imagine… middle school students engaged in real-world, community-based, and standards-aligned environmental investigative and service-learning projects that improve their school attendance, behavior, social skills, and ultimately grades. teachers of all disciplines working alongside parents, local businesses, universities and federal, state, county, and non-profit environmental groups, helping students connect learning and their lives to math, science, social studies and language arts. a process underway to build capacity and sustain a promising educational reform initiative within, and around, each school community and to develop effective leaders and organizations that design, implement, and link environmental education across the state to promote long-term sustainability. Environmental Education (EE) gaining renewed respect and value. Imagine no more. Using the Environment as an Integrating Context (EIC) ? for learning is changing the way we teach and learn at eleven pilot middle schools. What is EIC?? The EIC? Model employs natural and social systems as the context for learning while taking into account the “best practices” of successful educators. Each school designs an EIC? program unique to them but successful EIC? programs share the following fundamental strategies: Integrated, interdisciplinary instruction; Collaborative teaching methods; Community-based investigations; Learner-centered, constructivist approaches (students asking-teachers guiding); Cooperative and individual learning strategies; and Local community and natural settings as the context for learning