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Keys Kids in Nature is a three-week indoor/outdoor environmental education program developed by Antioch University on behalf of the Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuge to benefit 4th grade students and teachers in Monroe County. This project was funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. It is that time again to start planning this year's Keys Kids In
Nature with the fourth grade classes at the Sugarloaf Elementary School. For
those of you who are not familiar with the program, it is a multi- disciplinary
environmental education program that meets FCAT and County standards. The
students conduct pre-field trip classroom activities, take a field trip on the
refuge and then conduct post field trip classroom activiites. The field trips
take place on Crane Blvd, (passed the Sugarloaf school) starting at the refuge
gate. The students are led by the instructors on a 1.5 hour/ 1/2 mile walk
learning to identify common trees and habitats using simple field guides. We
break for lunch and a staff person gives a short talk. After lunch, a leader
(usually Karen DeMaria) conducts a food web game. The students break for a 20
minute silent observation session. The leaders lead the students conducting
measurements using simple equipment such as wind direction, measuring the
diameter of a solution hole, etc. Then the bus picks us up and heads back to the
gate.
What is Keys Kids in Nature? Keys Kids in Nature is an attempt to help 4th grade students in Monroe County learn more about the natural world that surrounds them. The program is specifically designed to help new or experienced teachers incorporate these lessons without having to forgo other important learning mandates. Lesson questions are FCAT formatted and tied to Monroe County as well as Sunshine State standards. Lessons are cross-disciplinary. Field trip locations are close by to keep costs down. Developed by a graduate student from Antioch University on behalf of the Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges, the Keys Kids in Nature program also received crucial help from local 4th grade teachers, ensuring absolute usability. Designed as a three-week odyssey, each lesson builds on the next, bolstering student knowledge and confidence. The first week is teacher driven, incorporating at least 5 lessons to introduce the students to the subject matter. The second week is Refuge staff and volunteer driven, consisting of two program days: 1) A __ minute PowerPoint presentation/activity, and 2) A 3-hour field trip. The third week is student driven, asking them to incorporate their learning into meaningful projects to be shared outside their class. In addition to the academic theme, the program incorporates individual and team-building opportunities. On field trips, each instructor works with a teaching group of approximately 8-10 students and one school chaperone. In total, the "Keys Kids in Nature!" program hopes to provide the tools with which students will develop a sense of place that will inform them and guide future learning and decisions. Goals The goal of "Keys Kids in Nature!" is to:
Last modified: Monday, March 09, 2009 |
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