Pre Class Assignments

Read:
The Land Ethic
Notes on Keeping a Field Journal

Complete:
Introduction to Watershed Ecology module
Take the self test here: Watershed Ecology Self Test

OR

Ecosystems Services: Benefits Supplied to Human Societies by Natural Ecosystems
Take the self test here: Ecosystems Services Self Test

Syllabus for one credit*

USF EDU 545I Syllabus for two credit*

USF EDU 545J Syllabus for three credit*

Post Class Assignments

Everyone, please complete the final evaluation. LEP Evaluation Being that this is the first time I have done this class, I'm interested in your feedback.

Lesson plans and concluding remarks should be posted to the the online classroom at NiceNet.org.  The class key is 4B6Y66W63.  Log in on the upper right hand corner by clicking on Join a Class (http://www.nicenet.org/ica/class_join.cfm). Enter the class key.

2 credit option.  Due June 18.

Lesson Plan:
Post a lesson plan which integrates the LEP into teaching practice. If no product of the LEP is appropriate for the educator’s assignment, then an LEP inspired activity can be substituted if the educator explains the relationship between the activity and the LEP.  Lesson plan should summarize how this activity fits into the curriculum by identifying theme, unit and/or standard addressed.

Concluding Remarks
Post concluding remarks.  Talk about what was learned both professionally and personally.  What did you feel was valuable and enriching?  What was not? Summarize thoughts on land ethic and how the workshop did or did not impact personal land ethic.  Speculate on possible "next steps" or changes, either personally or professionally.

3 credit option. Due July 6.

Lesson Plan:
Post a lesson plan which integrates the LEP into teaching practice. If no product of the LEP is appropriate for the educator’s assignment, then an LEP inspired activity can be substituted if the educator explains the relationship between the activity and the LEP.  Lesson plan should summarize how this activity fits into the curriculum by identifying theme, unit and/or standard addressed.

Concluding Remarks
Post concluding remarks.  Talk about what was learned both professionally and personally.  What did you feel was valuable and enriching?  What was not? Summarize thoughts on land ethic and how the workshop did or did not impact personal land ethic.  Speculate on possible "next steps" or changes, either personally or professionally.

Project
The project should integrate the LEP into your practice. The project should be thoroughly researched, well executed and demonstrate the pedagogical quality expected of a graduate level student.

Examples of potential projects are: establish an outdoor study site with signage; identify and map the plants and soils on school grounds and develop a reference guide; create multi-media presentations integrating the LEP with the content; correlate LEP to content standards; develop an LEP unit with curriculum map.

The projects will be made available online for use by others trained in the LEP.

  * Opens in new window, please check popup blocker if not opening.  Requires PDF reader)

UPDATE: March 14.  The field session is full. However you still may take the class to receive the materials or take the class with extensions to receive one credit (see syllabus above)

Leopold Education Project: June 3 - 6, 2008.  Join us for one day of classroom work and a three day field session kayaking/camping along the Missouri. You will learn activities to bring into your classroom that will teach an awareness of and appreciation for the natural world. 

Two credits (three credit option w/ online work)
Teachers of Grades 4 - 12, pre-service teachers, non-formal educators
English, Social Studies, Environmental Studies, Earth Science, Ecology, Physical Education

To Register
Phone: 605-224-8295.
Online: Summer Professional Development Registration

No kayaking experience required, but a sense of adventure is necessary! Trips will be outfitted by Steamboat Outfitters. What to Bring

The Leopold Education Project (LEP) is a conservation and environmental education curriculum based on the writings of conservationist Aldo Leopold, specifically A Sand County Almanac. The Leopold Education Project uses multi-disciplinary activities which foster critical thinking to teach about humanity's ties to the natural environment.  The mission of the LEP is to create an ecologically literate citizenry so that each individual might develop a personal land ethic.

On October 1, 2007 the South Dakota Discovery Center signed a memorandum of understanding with the Leopold Education Project to serve as the coordinating agency for the LEP within South Dakota.  The mission of the LEP supports the SD Discovery Centers goals of: providing effective and exemplary training and resources to educators and staff of youth and community organizations, involving South Dakotans in the stewardship of the environment.

The South Dakota Leopold Education Project will be funded, in part, by the 319 Information and Education (I&E) project, a grant from the US EPA through the SD Department of Environment and Natural Resources.  The 319 I&E project concerns itself with outreach that informs or educates South Dakotans about issues that pertain to watershed management, non-point source pollution prevention and water quality.  South Dakotans face if not new decisions in these areas, then decisions with new options and ramifications.  Developments in the alternative energy field will only broaden and complicate the issues before land managers now.

Pheasants Forever is the parent organization of the Leopold Education Project. Pheasants Forever undertook the national coordination of the LEP as part of its mission to protect and restore pheasant and quail habitat in 1992, assuming full oversight for the LEP in 1995. Currently, there are  trained educators in every state with most states having trained facilitators as well. Additionally, twenty six states have a state coordinator.

Getting the Leopold Education Project off the ground in South Dakota will not be difficult.  South Dakota already has 70 trained educators and approximately 20 facilitators, those that have been trained to conduct LEP workshops.

The short term goals of the SD LEP are to:

1.  Build awareness within South Dakota of the Leopold Education Project and its objectives.

2. Identify and network those who have been trained in the LEP.

3. Develop a facilitator network.

4. Conduct educator trainings throughout the state in cooperation with local Pheasant Forever members and chapters.

If you would like to bring a Leopold Education Project training to your community, please contact Anne Lewis at 605-224-8295 or via email at annelewis@sd-discovery.com.