Project Learning Tree- January E-News

"A person who won't read has no advantage over one who can't read."

- Mark Twain

January 2011

MN-PLT News

Feature Story- Minnesota PLT Reaches 826 Educators in 2010
Between 2006 and 2009, an average of 460 educators attended workshops. In 2010, we almost doubled that number to 826. This increase is related to the release of the award-winning PLT Environmental Experiences book, the creation of which was led by Minnesota PLT staff. About one-third of the teachers who attended PLT workshops in 2010 taught at the early childhood level. When you consider that most teachers work with an average of 25 students each, PLT could have reached more than 20,000 students in 2010 alone.

Three Minnesota PLT Classrooms Put Together "Forest Boxes" to highlight their woods
One of these boxes will be sent to the United Nations in New York City to commemorate 2011; the International Year of the Forests. The boxes contain field guides that the students created themselves, along with samples of rocks, moss, twigs, fungi and other treasures. Teachers also included some photos that documented the process. After their visit to the UN, the boxes will be exchanged with another classroom in another state for the students to inspect and compare.

Big thanks to Chris Holmes' third grade class, Roosevelt Elementary in Virginia; Julie Short's 3rd grade class, Bay View Elementary in Proctor; and Stanley Mikles' seventh grade class, Hill City Secondary in Hill City. Nice work!

Moving Outdoors in Nature Act (MONA) Introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by the National Wildlife Federation. This bill focuses on health and recreation solutions.

Professional Development

Survival of Outdoor Science Standards
Presented by the Minnesota Naturalists' Association
January 10, 2011, 9 am - noon
Valley Branch Environmental Learning Center, Afton
Free. Direct questions to Crystal Wold or 763-694-7706

PLT K-8 Educator Workshop
January 22, 2011
Location: Plymouth Library, Plymouth
Cost: FREE!
This workshop was rescheduled because of the December 11 snowstorm.
Attend and get:

• PLT PreK-8 Activity Guide
• Tree Trust education materials
• Lunch
• 6 continuing education units
• All About Minnesota's Forests and Trees: A Primer (book).

To register, contact Karen Zumach with Tree Trust

Using PLT, Project WILD and Project WET With Special Education Students
Feb. 4-5, 2011
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
$90 (If you already have a PLT book, you may register at a reduced rate)
Attend this workshop with other special education colleagues to learn tips and techniques for using PLT and WET activities with your students.

The presenters have several years' experience working with children who have special needs or are learning English (ELL) and have seen the benefits of integrating environmental education with this unique audience. To register, contact April Rust. Attendees get the PLT PreK-8 Activity Guide, the Project WILD K-12 Activity Guide, Project WET K-12 Activity Guide, lunch (both days), and 12 CEUs.

MinnAqua Educator Workshop
January 8, 2011
9:00 am - 3:30 pm
Black Bear Crossings Como Lakeside Pavilion – Larry Kitto Community Room, 1360 Lexington Parkway North, St. Paul, MN 55103. FREE! But pre-registration is required.

Workshops from Boulder Lake Environmental Learning Center in Duluth
Pre-registration required. To register or for questions, call 218-721-3731 or boulder@d.umn.edu.
Jan. 19, 2011: Winter Tree & Shrub Identification at Boulder Lake
Feb. 26, 2011: Mapping Your Land with GPS and Free Mapping Software (at the University of Minnesota in Duluth)

World Forestry Center International Educators Institute (IEI)
July 10-16, 2011, Portland, Oregon
Applications are due February 25, 2011 Scholarships are available!
IEI is an exceptional professional development opportunity for your outstanding educators and other state leaders from formal and nonformal education communities to significantly advance their skills and knowledge — teaching and learning — about forests.

PLT Early Childhood Workshop

Will be presented on April 9, 2011, as part of the Midwest Environmental Education conference. 

2011 workshops at Prairie Wetlands Environmental Learning Center:

• June 18, 2011- Summer Nature Journaling Workshop 9 am – 3pm free
• June 27-30, 2011- Teaching in the Outdoor Classroom free (limited to 10)

Awards and Grants

Annie's Grants for Gardens
Deadline: Rolling - Annie's Homegrown
Put on those gardening gloves and start planting! Annie's Homegrown is providing up to $250 for community gardens, school gardens, and other programs that connect children to gardening.

Lowe's Toolbox for Education Grants
$2,000 - $5,000
Due February 18, 2011
Lowe's priorities are permanent facility enhancements (both indoor and outdoor), landscaping, and cleanup projects, project that encourage parent participation and community involvement.

Toyota TAPESTRY Grants for Science Teachers
$10,000 (50 grants available)
Due February 23, 2011
To enhance science education in the school and/or school district.

Resources to Enhance PLT Activities

Free Mineral Related Teacher Information

From the Mineral Information Institute. Free materials on mining and minerals for teachers including a free download of the new Power Point presentation "The Importance of Minerals and Mining." This presentation got very favorable reviews at the Minnesota Minerals Education Workshop in August. (Good supplement to PLT activities: "A Look at Aluminum," "Soil Stories," and "Resource Go Round," and "Renewable or Not?")

Free 2011 Weatherguide Environment calendars

The Freshwater Society will give 2011 Minnesota Weatherguide Environment Calendars to teachers who commit to use them in their classrooms. (Use the free Calendars in the Classroom curriculum.) Request a 2011 calendar by sending an email to calclass@gmail.com with the following information: your name, address, school, grade you teach, favorite calendar lessons, and suggestions for improvement. (Good supplement to PLT Activities: "Adopt a Tree" "Schoolyard Safari," and Are Vacant Lots Vacant?")

Preschool through Grade 5 Winter curriculum

Developed by the Prairie Wetland Learning Center and the Student Conservation Association

The winter curriculum contains prairie wetlands field investigations which focus on exploration, observation, student-centered inquiry, discovery, and wonder. While the lesson plans are written for field trip leaders, teachers can easily adapt many of these plans for their students.

Just for Fun

Visit the Scale of the Universe web site. Slide the dial to compare sizes of everything from atoms to universes (and learn what a yottameter is!)

Simple Holiday Crafts to Make with Your Kids

Thanks to Beth Girard for forwarding the Twig Picture Frame craft, which is also featured in the PLT Environmental Experiences for Early Childhood book.

What You Need:

• Picture frame (can be made from cardboard)
• Twigs
• Tacky glue
• Small pinecones, seeds, or acorns (optional)

What You Do:

1. Break the twigs into small pieces. (Grownups can use pruning shears if the twigs are too thick to break by hand.)
2. Apply glue to a section of the frame. Press some twigs onto the glue. Keep adding glue and twigs until you've covered the frame.
3. Once the glue has dried, you can decorate the frame with pine cones, seeds, or any other treasures you've collected on your walk.

TIPS:

• To sped up the drying process, use a hot-glue gun instead of Tacky glue.
• Use twigs from different kinds of trees to give your frame interesting colors and textures.
• The straighter the twigs, the better. They will lie flat on the frame and will be easier to glue in place.

Great Article

From the National Science Teachers' Association: It's Time for More Early Childhood Science

We have been missing a great opportunity. Our most natural scientists are largely being ignored by the science establishment. We have in our midst the most curious natural inquirers, burning with curiosity, ready for action. They come to us in both genders, in all hues, from many cultural backgrounds. They may not be familiar with the word 'science," but they are surprisingly good at it. Read more