Beloit College Environmental Literacy Plan

Teaching Context:

Timeframe: Semester

Audience:  PST- Students in EDYS 300

Abstract:

Institution:

Beloit College

Author:

David Segura, segurad@beloit.edu

Current Status of Environmental Literacy and Sustainability Preparation:

Currently, environmental education is part of a practicum course where students learn generally about the 5E instructional model to inquiry and as a predominant approach to science teaching. Students will then be expected to design at least one 5E lesson plan that is focused on environmental education. This current plan was not aligned with the ELS standards of WI.

Evidence of Need:

The current lesson plan format is not aligned with ELS standards of WI, and aligning the plan to be so will assure that students are meeting competency requirements through this assessment.

Evidence of Success:

Competency will be measured by reaching an average measure of proficient on a three-criteria, with four levels of mastery. Students not reaching a proficient level will be asked to revise until they achieve this level of mastery.

Action plan to revise, improve, or integrate inquiry-based environmental education: 

As part of new PI 34 requirements, this assessment (a CEE environmental science lesson plan) will meet the requirements for assessing teacher candidate’s proficiency in environmental education. Additionally, by using a CEE format, this will assure that students both learn about inquiry approaches, while also needing to apply their learning to an authentic context. 

In what ways will you address Wisconsin Standards for Environmental Literacy and Sustainability Standards Addressed?

Since students will be tasked with designing their own lessons, there will be some flexibility as to which standards students could use. The 5 criteria that will be assessed include whether or not each of the three domains of the ELS are included, use of inquiry activities/experiences, and extent of cultural relevance/responsiveness.   

Consider the following items and incorporate those that are appropriate to address the actions above:

• A syllabus or course outline that integrates environmental education

• Lesson plans and assessments;

• Steps to implement and evaluate their plan;

• Networks and resources available to help implement their plan;

• Potential grants and funding sources;

• Local and statewide resources;

• Local outdoor learning sites;

• Professional development resources; and

• Policies that reinforce and support plan implementation.