During the afternoon, they acted out lessons the groups had designed, using the materials. They were assisted by Missy Shaber, technician-educator from the Lawrence County Soil and Water Conservation District. Our purpose is to present the materials to teachers to take to the classroom and teach about the forest, Browning explained. It s a new way to present this to children to make it more interesting. She said the lessons relate to real things and apply academic concepts like math to the outdoors, such as measuring a tree or counting its rings.
Lessons also relate to history, English, art and science.
The lessons can be adapted to any age level and are for gifted and talented as well as special needs students, Browning said. They re easily adaptable, simple or elaborate, inside or out, Eger added. The core of the program is a curriculum guide, a book full of lesson ideas and adaptations. The guide is available through Project Learning Tree. The activities portion of the workshop began with a small group presentation on recreation.