Our goals are to connect grads and current students, share ideas and advice, and be inspired. #ElonEd chat brings together experienced teachers and novice teachers to discuss best practices. We see our chat as a way to mentor future teachers who are students at Elon, and anyone who wants to join us in that effort is welcome.
Welcome to our #ElonEd chat! Our goals are to connect grads, current students, fac/staff, and other educators to share ideas and advice and to be inspired.
Mark Enfield, Associate Professor in School of Ed here #eloned passionate about STEM learning and wanting everyone to understand connections between Earthday and STEM #ElonEd
Hi everyone! I'm Miki, a junior ENS student. I'm currently in Costa Rica for the semester studying sustainable development & conservation efforts! So happy to join in on today's #ElonEd chat :) #enviroed
Kristen O'Neill, junior Special and Elementary Education major graduating from Elon in 2019! Excited to talk about #EarthDay and #enviroed tonight #ElonEd
A1: First, that video is fantastic. #EarthDay started in 1970 and is our annual reminder that we must take care of the ecosystems on which we depend for survival. #ElonEd
"It may be hard to imagine that before 1970, a factory could spew black clouds of toxic into the air or dump tons of toxic waste into a nearby stream, and that was perfectly legal. They could not be taken to court to stop it.” https://t.co/gcmDZSY7q2#ElonEd
I remember driving by the Haw River in Alamance County and knowing what color fabric was being dyed on any given day by the color of the Haw River, where the waste water was dumped. #ElonEd
A1: Sometimes we forget to appreciate nature and the world around us. #EarthDay is a reminder for us to uphold our responsibilities as eco-citizens #ElonEd
A1: Earth day allows us to celebrate this amazing place that connects us all. It is a day for us to remember to continue to act in sustainable ways in order to protect our home! #ElonEd
A1: #EarthDay is important because it reminds us to appreciate all of our natural surroundings. It also brings awareness to sustainability and conservation in efforts to keep our planet healthy #ElonEd
I remember driving by the Haw River in Alamance County and knowing what color fabric was being dyed on any given day by the color of the Haw River, where the waste water was dumped. #ElonEd
A1: Earth Day is great for teachers since it can be a reminder to share the importance of Earth's intrinsic value. Having a special day to celebrate Earth and our relationship is so important to share. #ElonEd
A2: Go outside! The best way for students to develop an appreciation for nature is for them to experience it for themselves. Adjust some of your lessons to implement the outdoors and it will benefit both you and your Ss #ElonEd
A2: By taking Ss outside to learn about math, science, history, and english. We have to challenge ourselves to see this if we want our Ss to connect curriculum to the real world and foster deeper relationships with nature. #ElonEd
A2: Getting kids outside! Also finding ways to always remind children (and ourselves) of how deeply connected we are to nature. The more exposure that kids have = the more their understanding of loving and protecting nature will grow. #ElonEd
A2 I love going outside, but helping students understand what does and doesn’t come from the Earth (hint: nothing) makes it important to understand the importance of EarthDay #ElonEd
Always strive to incorporate environmental education in your curriculum. Go outside...let the kids explore and observe what occurs in the world around them! #ElonEd
A2: Go outside! The best way for students to develop an appreciation for nature is for them to experience it for themselves. Adjust some of your lessons to implement the outdoors and it will benefit both you and your Ss #ElonEd
A2: Not only taking students outside, but bringing the outdoors indoors. By facilitating conversations that promote wonder and awe about our world. Both this year and last year I brought a stick indoors...even this led to in depth, powerful discussions #ElonEd
Yes! As @ClaireHWarden teaches, there is inside, outside, and beyond. We have to show students (and let them experience) the relationship between all three. #ElonEd
A2: Not only taking students outside, but bringing the outdoors indoors. By facilitating conversations that promote wonder and awe about our world. Both this year and last year I brought a stick indoors...even this led to in depth, powerful discussions #ElonEd
Thanks Dr. Morrison! As both a student and a teacher, I've found that going outside always makes a lesson more enjoyable and effective. I loved going outside during EDU 211! #ElonEd
Yes! While teaching a unit on market economy last year, I centered two whole lessons about the idea of renewable and non-renewable resources and how that connected directly to the market. #ElonEd
#eloned A2 We love when kiddos bring the outdoors in. We have explored lots of dead animals (with appropriate health precautions) including voles, star nosed? an owl, other birds, a bat, lots of spiders and insects, as well as leaves, fruits, seeds of various plants.
A2: Not only taking students outside, but bringing the outdoors indoors. By facilitating conversations that promote wonder and awe about our world. Both this year and last year I brought a stick indoors...even this led to in depth, powerful discussions #ElonEd
A3 I never had a teacher take me outside for anything but recess. Remember, I’ve got a few years on me. I was lucky to have other experiences. Being out is good for us all regardless #ElonEd
Q3: Sadly, I only went outside for recess. The only time I started going outside for class was in college. Teachers often think that kids will be more distracted outside, but it's often the exact opposite! When I'm outside, I'm more focused and engaged. #ElonEd
#eloned Most kiddos are entranced. We do let the children have the choice on how close they want to get to the creature, offering them books or videos to look at instead.
A2 By making sure that children "see" and "feel" the natural world even if they can't get outdoors. Living in a rural area, our children are immersed in the natural world, during recess and our outdoor day on Tuesdays. #eloned
I only remember a few teachers taking me outside as a student! Incorporating the outdoors will do wonders: Make learning more engaging,nurture creativity and imagination,develop learning through play and experimentation, improve attendance,and decrease unwanted behaviors #ElonEd
I even had one student rummaging through the mixed trash to fish out the recyclable products that were not in the proper receptacle! #dedication#eloned
A3: I've only experienced class outside a little in high school and college. Fortunately, I was always outside when I wasn't in school. This isn't the case for all Ss though, which is why it's important for Ts to help them develop a love and appreciation for nature #ElonEd
A3: I've only experienced class outside a little in high school and college. Fortunately, I was always outside when I wasn't in school. This isn't the case for all Ss though, which is why it's important for Ts to help them develop a love and appreciation for nature #ElonEd
A3: I only ever remember going outside for my science classes. When I was a kid, I never thought that the environment could be incorporated into any other subject. It's a shame it took me until college to realize all subjects can be taught outside! #ElonEd
A3: I have zero memories of going outside to learn in school. Only time outside was recess. The message is clear: learning only happens in classrooms. Is that what we want to teach children? #ElonEd
A3: We expect Ss to "learn" by sitting in a classroom for long periods of times yet we dislike to learn like that so why is it that we don't think outside the box and make learning fun by taking kids outdoors? #ElonEd
Such a good point! Learning goes beyond the classroom. Being outdoors also seems to make students more curious and engaged, which is what we want! #ElonEd
A4 sustainability is about much more than environment. That is why I like that frame. There’s cultural, economic, etc dimensions of sustainability. #ElonEd
A4: #sustainabilityeducation starts at a small scale with something as simple as contextualizing taking that extra paper towel while using the bathroom. They add up and can have a BIG impact if you make it a habit. #elonEd
A4: #sustainabilityeducation starts at a small scale with something as simple as contextualizing taking that extra paper towel while using the bathroom. They add up and can have a BIG impact if you make it a habit. #elonEd
In ELA classes students write persuasive essays about selected topics, so select environmental topics. Also creative writing activities from perspectives of plants or animals #ElonEd
A4 last spring teaching an @EiE_org kit about river spills I starting thinking about connections to local communities, local spills, policy, much more. Environmental Ed is a laughing point to rich curriculum #ElonEd
A4: Sustainability issues can be addressed across all disciplines. History (environmental movement in the 60s), political science (legislation regarding conservation), English (environmental writing), math (how much do solar panels cost to install), the list goes on! #ElonEd
A4 last spring teaching an @EiE_org kit about river spills I starting thinking about connections to local communities, local spills, policy, much more. Environmental Ed is a laughing point to rich curriculum #ElonEd
If you use Twitter and/or pictures in the classroom, here is one way to bring nature inside and prompt student questions, conversations, curiosity, and writing. #ElonEd
A4: Additionally, It is important to not frame environmental issues in a way that promotes a we are doomed mentality. This can dissuade some students from advocating for the environment initially. #ElonEd
A5 as part of the river spill unit, we worked on food chains and food webs, fifth graders wrote and acted puppet shows to talk about energy transfer in food chains and ecosystems #ElonEd
A5: Make art with natural/sustainable products (sticks, leaves, home-made paints) This makes the process even more fun & interactive for Ss. I'm excited to take an Eco Art course in the fall #ElonEd
True, but we can’t think changing bulbs to LCDs will solve the problem either, don’t let EPA lower CAFE standards, urge legislators to stay in Paris accord, praise Bloomberg, etc. Recycling is not enough, cultural change is needed #ElonEd
A4: Additionally, It is important to not frame environmental issues in a way that promotes a we are doomed mentality. This can dissuade some students from advocating for the environment initially. #ElonEd
A5: when in nature I know I am more apt to get inspiration for poetry, and songs. Nature enlivens my creative and inner-child spirit which lends itself to the arts! #ElonEd
True, but we can’t think changing bulbs to LCDs will solve the problem either, don’t let EPA lower CAFE standards, urge legislators to stay in Paris accord, praise Bloomberg, etc. Recycling is not enough, cultural change is needed #ElonEd
A4: Additionally, It is important to not frame environmental issues in a way that promotes a we are doomed mentality. This can dissuade some students from advocating for the environment initially. #ElonEd
love the idea of using "trash" to decorate! At my center in Costa Rica, we have a mural made from glass from bottles. Another student also taught us how to make "plarn" aka, "plastic yarn" this can be used to turn plastic bags into reusable bags, mats, or rugs #ElonEd
A5: It fosters curiosity and creativity. Ss learn that art is not just about paint and crayons. Additionally, they see the beauty and art that exists in nature. #ElonEd
A5: Art is often about creativity, empathy, and being out-of-the-box. It can connect children to nature. It can bring people together. It can foster different kinds of conversation. #ElonEd
I could not agree more. My students read a persuasive piece about recycling entitled: PRO/CON: Is it time to stop recycling our garbage? This new perspective allowed students to think deeper about how we really are bettering the world and what change is the most effective #eloned
I could not agree more. My students read a persuasive piece about recycling entitled: PRO/CON: Is it time to stop recycling our garbage? This new perspective allowed students to think deeper about how we really are bettering the world and what change is the most effective #eloned
A6 I think people and experience are the resources. Too much curriculum is shallow in terms of ideas; its mostly activity. Talk with people in the field and get your hands dirty #ElonEd
A6: I agree with @mark_enfield I know in my experience, I would not have any knowledge about nature pedagogy and or ecologically minded teaching if it weren't for my in depth discussions with the one and only @scomorrison#ElonEd Find people who challenge you to think differently
For those of you who couldn't make it to the chat, I urge you to follow the chat with the #ElonEd hashtag. Additionally, Keep the conversation going between now and the next chat by using the #ElonEd hashtag.
