Braus & Wood: Environmental Education in Schools

I welcome the idea of using environmental education to not only teach science. Honestly it had not occurred to me before. You always go outside for science lessons. And mostly only in Primary grades to walk around the school grounds. If science can teach reading (journals) and math (measuring, calculating, experimenting) IN the classroom, why not teach all those things in the environment? It had also not occurred to me to teach social studies through the environment -- politics, economics, class debates.

I have to say, I'm sure all teachers were told at some point to use environmental education (if not by another name) and thought it was great. And never did it. I hope to carry out at least some of these ideas for a few reasons. No 1. I find Iowa's environment fascinating! I'm certainly used to the wildlife and geography of my home, but Iowa! Iowa has different animals, birds, (corn) plants. Things grow when you put them in the ground. Right before your eyes. And for goodness sakes. There are not two, not three, but FOUR seasons. What's not to love? I will want to go play  discover and learn in the snow just as much as my students. At the same time, I'd probably be in the same old never-go-outside rut as other teachers if I was in Texas. Because to me it is boring. To kids in Iowa, this is the normal and un-interesting for them. I know better. My glee at crunching through snow in boots will either wear off or not be enough to get me out of the classroom on a frigid day. Much less actually plan activities for outside. No, love of Iowa's seasons won't be enough. I need to make a conscious concerted effort to plan environmental lessons throughout the school year. I will have to set standards for myself like, once a month spend a day (or most of it), outside. After the snow melts, spend a week outside. That's the only way it's going to happen, because I know I'm not any better or magically enlightened than all the teachers who don't.