Upcoming Educator Workshop Opportunities!!

Reconnecting Children with Nature – Growing Up WILD

Date: Saturday, April 6, 2013
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Location: Twin Ponds Nature Center (1811 240th St., Iona, IA 50645)
Registration Deadline (Minimum 15 participants required): March 28, 2013; You must register electronically:

https://ccmis.dhs.state.ia.us/TrainingRegistry/SharedPages/ViewClassDetail.aspx?data=2UDG7MjxsH6Xt/urWfM1HVsR6XAx3s2Ojy4k3awE2e/TfHO59Cgipw

Priority is given to those working in Floyd, Mitchell, or Chickasaw Counties. Funded by EAGLE Program and FMC Early Childhood Iowa.

Date: Saturday, April 27, 2013
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Location: Mitchell County Conservation Center (18793 Iowa 9, Osage, IA 50461)
Registration Deadline (Minimum 15 participants required): April 18, 2013; You must register electronically:

https://ccmis.dhs.state.ia.us/TrainingRegistry/SharedPages/ViewClassDetail.aspx?data=W7lcA*hzdaNa/TKAuwoPdTm/BafGhhTVxeeeph91NK*xWbFOuDpBBg

Priority is given to those working in Floyd, Mitchell, or Chickasaw Counties. Funded by EAGLE Program and FMC Early Childhood Iowa.                                                                         

This workshop leads you out the door and provides hands on activities and resource materials to help you lead your own nature explorations. Growing Up WILD activities use age appropriate practices and concepts to build on children’s sense of wonder and invites them to explore nature and the world around them. Specially written for children 3-7, activities include sections to address many learning areas: math, science, language, literacy, health living, play, and creativity.

This workshop has been approved for 4 clock hours of DHS continuing education credit.

The Growing Up WILD activity guide was a culmination of work by natural resource agencies, early childhood professionals, and educators. Activities have been correlated to national standards for early childhood education – NAEYC Criteria for Curriculum, Head Start Child Outcomes Framework and the NAAEE Early Childhood Environmental Education Guidelines for Excellence. Additional correlations have been drafted to Iowa Early Childhood program and curriculum standards – Quality Preschool Program Standards, Iowa Early Learning Standards, and the Iowa Core Curriculum.
Note: This workshop will be both inside and outdoors - dress in layers and for the weather.

For more information, contact Malissa Rader: mrader@iastate.edu.

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Outdoor Explorations for Early LearnersDate: June 10 & 11, 2013
Time: 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Location: Annett Nature Center (15565 118^th Ave., Indianola)
Registration Deadline: June 3, 2013; You must register electronically: https://prodev.aeapdonline.org/4DCGI/EC007499991401INV&*

Registration Fee: materials and 1 license renewal credit for $125 or 1 graduate credit from Drake University for $225.

This Inquiry Based Outdoor Exploration workshop is designed to help early childhood professionals lead children in age-appropriate, interdisciplinary outdoor experiences. You will be introduced to strategies, skills, and resources (including Growing Up WILD and Environmental Experiences for Early Childhood) to build upon children's sense of wonder about the world around them through relevant, inquiry-based exploration.

Growing Up WILD activities, specially written for children age 3-7, include sections to address many learning areas: math, science, language, literacy, health living, play, and creativity.

Project Learning Tree's Environmental Experiences for Early Childhood encourages children to explore, discover, and communicate in expressive ways.

Both activity guides were a culmination of work by natural resources agencies, early childhood professionals, and educators. Activities have been correlated to national standards for early childhood education. Additional correlations have been drafted to Iowa Early Childhood program and curriculum standards.

This workshop has been approved for 15 clock hours of DHS continuing education credit and 1 teacher licensure recertification credit or 1 graduate credit (Drake University).

Value of Iowa's Natural Resources

From our gentling rolling hills of native prairie, to our rocky bluffs along the Mississippi, Iowa teems with birds, mammals, fish, reptiles and amphibians. While we may struggle with habitat loss, pollution, and other environmental issues, Iowa is a state that is rich in natural beauty and resources.

Iowa’s natural resources have value to humans economically, such as the soil that we grow our food in, as well for hunting, and fishing. These uses are considered “consumptive use” of Iowa’s natural resources. Our natural resources also have intrinsic value of their own, meaning they possess value in and of themselves.

Explore Iowa’s wonderful natural resources this week!

Examples of activities that go well with a study of Iowa’s natural resources

Growing Up WILD
What’s Wild?
Wildlife is Everywhere
Who Lives in a Tree?
Oh, Deer!
Field Study Fun

Environmental Experiences for Early Childhood

Trees as Habitats
Three Cheers for Trees

Iowa’s Natural Resources Background Information Links

Iowa Department of Natural Resources: Education – Iowa’s Natural Resources
http://www.iowadnr.gov/Education/ForTeachers/IowasNaturalResources.aspx

Iowa State University Extension & Outreach: Wildlife and Natural Resources Publications has a wonderful series of publications about Iowa’s natural resources. Most are available to download for FREE.

ISU Extension Natural Resources Publications Main Page
https://store.extension.iastate.edu/ProductList.aspx?CategoryID=103

Educator Books

Christiansen, P. and M. Muller. 1999. An Illustrated Guide to Iowa Prairie Plants. Iowa City: University of Iowa Press.
Dinsmore, J.J. 1994. A Country So Full of Game: The Story of Wildlife in Iowa. University of Iowa Press.
Dinsmore, S. 1995. Iowa Wildlife Viewing Guide. Falcon.
Iowa Department of Natural Resources. 2000. Iowa: Portrait of the Land. Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
Johnson, A. 2005. Iowa Birds. Lone Pine Publishing.
Kavanagh, J. 2001. Iowa Birds. Waterford Press Ltd.
Kurtz, C. 1996. Iowa's Wild Places. Ames: Iowa State University Press.
Morrice, P. A. and J. Hart. 2007. Iowa. Cavendish, Marshall Corporation.
Prior, J.C. and L.A. Stone. 2000. Iowa - Portrait of the Land. Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Geological Survey.
Runkel, S. and D. Roosa. 1999. Wildflowers and Other Plants of Iowa Wetlands. Ames: Iowa State University Press.
Tekiela, S. 2001. Birds of Iowa: Field Guide. Adventure Publications.

Children’s Books

Arnosky, J. 1997. Bird Watcher. Random House Children's Books.
Arnosky, J. 2008. The Brook Book: Exploring the Smallest Streams. Penguin Young Readers Group.
Arnosky, J. 1997. Bug Hunter. Random House Children's Books.
Arnosky, J. 2006. Grandfather Buffalo. Penguin Group (USA).
Arnosky, J. 2003. Raccoon on His Own. Penguin Group (USA).
Bannatyne-Cugnet, J. 1992. Prairie Alphabet. Tundra.
Boring, M. and L. Garrow. 1996. Rabbits, Squirrels, and Chimpmunks (Take-Along Guide). T&N Children's Publishing.
Burns, D. and L. Garrow. 1998. Leaves, Trees and Bark (Take-Along Guide). NorthWord Burns, D. and L. Garrow. Frogs, Toads, and Turtles (Take-Along Guide). NorthWord Books for Young Readers.
Butterfield, M. 1999. Animals on Plains and Prairies. Raintree Publishers.
Capogna, V.V. 1999. Did You Ever Wonder about Things You Find in Your Backyard? Marshall Cavendish Inc.
Cole, H. 1998. I Took A Walk. HarperCollins Publishers.
Cooper, J. 1997. Trumpeter Swan (Giants Among Us). Rourke Publishing.
Edwards, M.  1994. Eve and Smithy: An Iowa Tale. HarperCollins Publishers.
Fleming, D. 1991. In the Tall, Tall Grass. Henry Holt and Co.
Fleming, D. 1993. In the Small, Small Pond. Henry Holt and Co.
Fredericks, A. 2001. Under One Rock: Bugs, Slugs, and Other Ughs (Sharing Nature With Children Book). Dawn Publications.
Fredericks, A.D. 2005. Near One Cattail: Turtles, Logs and Leaping Frogs. Dawn Publications.
Fredericks, A.D.  2006. On One Flower: Butterflies, Ticks and a Few More Icks. Dawn Publications.
Galko, F. 2002. Pond Animals. Heinemann.
Galvin, L.G., and K. Bratun. 1998. Deer Mouse at Old Farm Road. Soundprints.
George, L.B. 1998. In the Woods: Who's Been Here? HarperCollins Publishers.
George, W.T. 1988. Beaver at Long Pond. Greenwillow Books.
Hawes, J. 1975. Spring Peepers. HarperCollins Publishers.
Heller, R. 1995. How to Hide a Meadow Frog and Other Amphibians. Groslett & Dunlap.
Herkert, B. 2001. Birds in Your Backyard. Dawn Publications.
Latimer, J. et al. 1999. Backyard Birds (Peterson Field Guides for Young Naturalists). Hollenbeck, K.M., and W. Smith. 2004. Red Fox at Hickory Lane. Soundprints.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Kavanagh, J. and R. Leung. 2001. Urban Wildlife: An Introduction to Familiar Species (North American Nature Guides). Waterford Press.
Morrison, G. 2004. Nature in the Neighborhood. Walter Loraine Books/Houghton Mifflin.
Pfeffer, W., and L. Mikec. 2004. Firefly at Stonybrook Farm. Soundprints.
Ring, E., and K. Lee. 1999. Monarch Butterfly of Aster Way.Soundprints.
Zoehfeld, K.W., A. Komisar, and J. Snyder. 1997. Fawn at Woodland Way. Soundprints.
Zoehfeld, K.W., and T. Buchs. 2002. Ladybug at Orchard Avenue. Soundprints.

 

 

 

Famous Iowa Conservationists

To understand Iowa’s early conservationists we need to examine the world in which they grew up. Iowa’s landscape is one of the most altered in our nation. When Iowa’s early conservationists were growing up Iowa’s landscape was at the pinnacle of change. Iowa’s natural areas were being altered and destroyed and wildlife was being hunted with little regulation. As a whole, they were Iowan’s who spent time outside in the natural world as children and youths. They developed a connect with, and a love of nature, and became crusaders for the natural world when they saw its wanton destruction.

Studying Iowa’s famous conservationist should serve as a lesson to us as we educate and raise future generations. Children and youth who spend time outdoors in our natural world will develop a life-long love and appreciation for nature. If we want children to grow up to be stewards of the land we need to get them outside now.

To learn more about famous Iowa conservationists visit the ISU Extension webpage below and download your free copy of “Important Iowa Conservationist”.
Important Iowa Conservationists – Iowa Natural Resource Heritage Serieshttps://store.extension.iastate.edu/ItemDetail.aspx?ProductID=2136

Educator Book List
Broda, H. W. 2011. Moving the Classroom Outdoors. Stenhouse Publishers.
Cornell, J. B. 1998. Sharing Nature with Children (20th Anniversary Edition). Dawn Publications.
Chalufour, I., and K. Worth. 2003. Discovering Nature with Young Children.Redleaf Press.
Dinsmore, J. J. 1994. A Country So Full of Game: The Story of Wildlife in Iowa. University of Iowa Press.
Lendt, D.L. 1989. Ding: The Life of Jay Norwood Darling. Wiley, John & Sons, Incorporated.
Leopold, A. 1989. A Sand County Almanac. Oxford University Press.
Louv, R. 2008. Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder. Algonquin Books.
Ross, C., and T. Gladfelter. 1995. Kids in the Wild: A Family Guide to Outdoor Recreation. Mountaineer Books.
Stein, S. 2001. Noah's Children: Restoring the Ecology of Childhood. North Point Press.
VanCleaves, J. 1997. Janice VanCleave's Play and Find Out About Nature: Easy Experiments for Young Children. Wiley.
Van Tilburg, C. 2005. Introducing Your Kids to the Outdoors. Stackpole Books.
Weisner, C. 2003. Let's Get Going: The Step-by-Step Guide to Successful Outings with Children. Red Deer Press.

Children’s Book List
Arnosky, J. 1998. Animal Tracker. Random House Value Publishing, Inc.
Arnosky, J. 1997. Bird Watcher. Random House Children's Books.
Arnosky, J. 1997. Bug Hunter. Random House Children's Books.
Arnosky, J. 1993. Crinkleroot's Guide to Walking in Wild Places. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Asch, F. 1994. The Earth and I. Gulliver Green.
Bishop, N. 2002. Backyard Detective: Critters Up Close. Scholastic, Inc.
Boring, M. 1999. Fun with Nature. T&N Children's Publishing.
Boring, M. and L. Evert. 2001. More Fun with Nature. Northword Press.
Capogna, V.V. 1999. Did You Ever Wonder about Things You Find in Your Backyard? Marshall Cavendish Inc.
Fredericks, A.D. 2005. Near One Cattail: Turtles, Logs and Leaping Frogs. Dawn Publications.
Fredericks, A.D.  2006. On One Flower: Butterflies, Ticks and a Few More Icks. Dawn Publications.
Fredericks, A.D. 2001. Under One Rock: Bugs, Slugs and Other Ughs. Dawn Publications.
Glaser, L. and E. Kleven. 2000. Our Big Home: An Earth Poem. Lerner Publishing Group
Kalman, B. 1993. The Colors of Nature. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Kirkland, J. 2001. Take a Backyard Bird Walk. Stillwater Publishing.
Kirkland, J. 2006. Take a City Nature Walk. Stillwater Publishing.
Kirkland, J. 2002. Take a Tree Walk. Stillwater Publishing.
Kranz, L. 2002. My Nature Book: A Journal and Activity Book for Kids. T&N Children's Publishing.
Loy, J. 2003. Follow the Trail: A Young Persons Guide to the Great Outdoors. Holt, Henry Books for Young Readers.
Maas, D.R. 2001. Kids Gone Fishin': The Young Angler's Guide to Catching More and Bigger Fish. Northword Press.
Milord, S. 1996. The Kids' Nature Book: 365 Indoor/Outdoor Activities & Experiences. Ideals Publications.
Ryder, J., and D. Nolan. 1990. Under Your Feet. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Schimmel, S. 2002. Children of the Earth…Remember. T&N Children's Publishing.
Schimmel, S. 1994. Dear Children of the Earth: A Letter from Home. T&N Children's Publishing.
Yolen, J. and J. Stemple. Color Me a Rhyme: Nature Poems for Young People. Boyds Mills Press.

Aldo Leopold: “Father” of Wildlife Management

 “Like winds and sunsets, wild things were taken for granted until progress began to do away with them. Now we face the question whether a still higher "standard of living" is worth its cost in things natural, wild, and free.” ~Aldo Leopold

Iowa native Aldo Leopold is considered by many to be the “father” of wildlife management and of the United States wilderness system. Born in 1887 in Burlington, Iowa Leopold’s interest in nature started at an early age.  He spent countless hours exploring his natural surroundings and recording his observations in journals and sketches. Leopold’s father was an avid outdoorsman and took his children hunting, fishing, exploring, and camping.

Leopold attended Yale Forest School graduating in 1909 and pursued a career with the U.S. Forest Service. Leopold also completed Iowa’s first statewide biological survey, and created the nation’s first Department of Wildlife Management at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Leopold was a conservationist, forester, philosopher, dedicated teacher, writer, and outdoor enthusiast. He was influential in the development of modern environmental ethics. Leopold's goal in his popular wildlife ecology course was "to teach the student to see the land, to understand what he sees, and enjoy what he understands."

Leopold’s powerful writings have made a significant contribution to modern views and values about wildlife and our natural resources. Leopold’s most popular writings, A Sand County Almanac: And Sketches Here and There, was first published in 1949 and remains in print today. It is a collection of essays written by Leopold describing the land around his home in Wisconsin. The essays are philosophical in nature and explore the relationship between people, land and wildlife. It was a call for a land ethic and written with the hope that readers would begin to treat the land with love and respect. A Sand County Almanac has had far reaching influence, over two million copies have been published and it has been translated into twelve languages.

Examples of Growing Up WILD and Environmental Experiences for Early Childhood activities that would go along with Aldo Leopold’s land and environmental ethics:

Growing Up WILD

Field Study Fun – Children investigate a field study plot to observe plant and animal interactions over time.

First Impressions – Children explore how they think and feel about animals.

Less is More – Children learn that using less is a way of sharing resources.

Who Lives in a Tree? – Children develop an awareness of trees and some of the animals that call them “home”.

Wildlife is Everywhere – Children make observations and understand that wildlife is all around us.

Wildlife Water Safari – Children discover water sources for local wildlife and create a field notebook.

Environmental Experiences for Early Childhood
Bursting Buds – Children explore the signs of spring.

Evergreens in Winter – Children use their senses to experience winter.

Get in Touch with Trees – Children explore trees using their sense of touch.

Signs of Fall – Children explore the signs of autumn in nature.

Sounds Around – Children explore the sounds of nature.

Trees as Habitats – Children discover how plants and animals depend on trees.

Related Links

The Aldo Leopold Foundation
http://www.aldoleopold.org/

The Leopold Archives

http://www.aldoleopold.org/AldoLeopold/archives.shtml

Using Leopold in Teaching

http://www.aldoleopold.org/AldoLeopold/teachingtools.shtml