Course Number: | EDU 5627 C19 (graduate), EDU 4710 CFS23 (undergraduate) |
Instructor: | Angella Gibbons & Justin Sutera |
Location: | EarthWalk Vermont, Plainfield |
Dates and Times: | August 5-9, 2019 from 9 am-5 pm |
Credits: | 3 Graduate Credits |
Tuition: | $1,150 |
Note: Please register directly with EarthWalk. If you wish to take the course for Castleton credit, please tell EarthWalk who will then give you the link to Castleton's online registration form.
This personalized 5-day outdoor field course is for adult learners who want to experience a dynamic approach and methodology in community and nature-based education. Gain skills used in mentoring children in nature, guided by principles grounded in care for one another and the Earth. Adult learners can strengthen their own personal nature-connection; develop earth skills; practice powerful techniques in mentoring to create a joyful learning community. Experience hands-on activities, crafts, games, stories and songs that can tap into children’s innate sense of curiosity and wonder. Some opportunities provided throughout week to engage directly with, and learn from, children and mentors at concurrent EarthWalk Summer Camp. This course is appropriate for classroom teachers as well as non-traditional educators who want to learn, and/or go deeper in Nature Mentoring and are ready to bring more learning outside! Note for classroom teachers: this course and the aligned goals, objectives, assignments, and projects were developed with a consideration for Vermont’s Education Quality Standards, Transferable Skills and Recommended Performance Indicators. Those include communication, collaboration, creativity, innovation, inquiry and problem-solving.
NOTE: This course can be taken as a stand-alone course and can also be included as part of the EarthWalk Nature Mentoring Certificate. Please contact Angella Gibbons at EarthWalk for more information on the certificate.
Upon completion of this course, the participant will be able to analyze, evaluate, create, as well as apply new:
*Core Routines of Nature Connection are natural learning habits documented in Coyotes Guide to Connecting to Nature, by Jon Young, Ellen Haas and Evan McGowan.
Required Reading:
EarthWalk Nature Mentoring Foundations: a packet of information, including a Natural Learning Framework, activities, games, songs and bibliography.
Highly Recommended Reading:
Holland, M., & Kaneko, C. (2010). Naturally Curious: A photographic field guide and month-by-month journey through the fields, woods, and marshes of New England. North Pomfret, Vt.: Trafalgar Square Books.
Young, J., Haas, E., & McGown, E. (2010). Coyote's guide to connecting with nature. Shelton, Wash: OWLLink Media.
Louv, R. (2005). Last Child in the Woods: Saving our children from nature-deficit disorder. Chapel Hill, NC; Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill.
Other Suggested Readings/Texts/ Key References:
http://education.vermont.gov/student-learning/proficiency-based-learning/transferable-skills
In order to receive a Passing grade, the participant must complete the following course requirements:
Attendance and Participation: 40 pts
Nature Journal Portfolio: 30 pts
Action Research Project (practical application of Nature Mentoring): 30 pts
TOTAL 100 pts
Angella Gibbons
(802) 454-8500