“A grounded, rooted learner understands that his/her actions matter, that they affect the community beyond the school. It is out of this particular formulation that the ‘student as resource to the community’ takes shape-that understanding that students need to be thought of as productive assets to the health of a community.”

Rural School Challenge Research and Evaluation Program, 1999

The Watershed SchoolMaking the Local Relevant

Again

The Watershed School• FNSBSD public school

• Open to all children

• Curriculum independent of school district

• School of choice

Application Process• Application period

• Now – April 2

• Lottery• April 12

• School visitations• April 27 & 29

• Parent contract

School Day and Calendar• FNSBSD calendar for 2012-13

• School hours8:30 – 3:00• 8:00 Drop-off• 3:00-3:20 Pick-up

School of ChoiceWhat We Offer What We Do Not Offer

•Small school atmosphere•Locally relevant curriculum•Rigorous academics•Service learning projects•Outdoor education•Regular ski and hiking outings•Extra-curricular activities -Running club - Ski club - Biathlon - Math Counts

•Bussing•School lunch program•Band/Orchestra•After school programs•School counselor/behavior specialist

What is Place-Based Education?• Defining “place”

• Four components

• Cultural Studies

• Watershed Studies

• Public Process

• Economy

Through a balanced focus on economic development and environmental preservation, the community and its businesses get revitalized, state curriculum standards are met, and students are given valuable opportunities to learn in real-world settings.

David Sobel, Connecting Classrooms and Communities (2004)

Outdoor and Environmental Education

EnvironmentalEducation

OutdoorEducation

•Understanding outdoor ecosystems•Highlights conservation/sustainability•Examples Project Learning Tree Alaska Wildlife Curriculum GLOBE Program Camp Habitat

•Learning to survive and enjoy the outdoors•Camping, hiking, skiing skills taught•Examples: NOLS (Natl. Outdoor Leadership School) Outward Bound Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts Alaska Conservation Camp

Place-Based Education at The Watershed School

Incorporation of outdoor skills into curriculum focusing on deepening students’ sense and understanding of place

Importance of Outdoor Learning

Increases student confidence

Promotes active, healthy lifestyle

Provides authentic experience

Instills sense of environmental stewardship

"In the end we will conserve only what we love. We love only what we understand. We will understand only what we are taught.”

Baba Dioum

Broadening Circles of Knowledge

World

US and N. America

Tanana Valley and Alaska

Neighborhood and Community

Family, Classroom,

School

Developmental Levels of Nature Study

What’s important is that children have an opportunity to bond with the natural world, to learn to love it, before being asked to heal its wounds.

David Sobel (1997)

Social Action (7-8)Learn about regional

environmental challenges Local, hands-on projects

Exploration (3-6)Investigations into natural

systemsPositive, academic

experiences in the outdoors

Empathy (K – 2)Develop connection to living

thingsFocus on enjoyment through

direct experience

Why Teach Place-Based Education?

Response to narrowed curriculum

Improves understanding and appreciation of natural world

Develops stronger ties to community

Builds active, informed community members

Motivating, relevant concepts

Academic achievement

Place-Based Social Studies and Science Curriculum• Unique curriculum sets this charter school apart from

other schools in Alaska

• Depth rather than breadth

• Relevant curriculum motivates students

Language Arts and Math• Follow goals and objectives of the FNSBSD Language

Arts and Math Curriculum

• Site-based materials

• Singapore Math

• Algebra I

• Connects to science and social studies

Creative Arts• Incorporates visual arts, music, drama, and literary

arts into academic areas

Physical Education• Double district requirement for

elementary

• 75% out-of-doors

• Cross country skis required

Behavior Expectations

Students need to develop:•Personal responsibility•Sense of community

Outdoor instruction requires:•Self-control•Ability to focus on task at hand•Willingness to participate•Safe behavior

Challenging Academics

Study of Natural Surroundings

Study of Community and Culture

Responsibility to Self and Community

The Watershed School

"... the great waste in school comes from the child’s inability to utilize the experiences he gets outside the school in any complete and free way within the school itself; while at the other hand, he is unable to apply in daily life what he is learning at school."

John Dewey, The School and Society (1899)

For more information about place-based education and The Watershed School:

www.thewatershedschool.com

(907) 374-9350