10307133ECE: Outdoor Learning & Play in Early Childhood
Course Information
Description
The outdoor environment engages curiosity, invites exploration and stimulates the use of language in new ways while promoting discovery through inquiry and observation. This course provides the knowledge and hands-on experience for early childhood teachers to increase confidence in planning and implementing lessons for young children in the outdoors that promote a connection to and appreciation for natural things.  Participants in this course will examine perspectives on why young children need nature and explore environmental education experiences, strategies, and curricula that will increase their effectiveness teaching in the outdoors.
Total Credits
3
Course Competencies
  1. Examine the importance of including environmental education in early childhood education
    Assessment Strategies
    The learner will demonstrate competence by (Condition):
    Complete a journal entry reflection on the assigned readings
    Submit preliminary ideas on how environmental education can be included in your program
    Submit a written summary of what is meant by environmental literacy
    Submit a written personal philosophy statement on why environmental education should be included in early childhood programs
    Criteria
    You read the assigned reading
    You brainstorm and record ideas
    You research the term environmental literacy
    You contemplate and write a philosophy statement

  2. Analyze perspectives of the changing connection between children and the natural world
    Assessment Strategies
    The learner will demonstrate competence by (Condition):
    Complete a journal entry reflection on the assigned readings
    Submit a written summary of “Nature Deficit Disorder”
    Present orally a memory from your childhood of being in nature
    Participate in discussion of the implication of an assigned quote
    Criteria
    You read the assigned readings
    You use the Louv text to examine Nature Deficit Disorder
    You prepare notes for an oral presentation
    You contemplate an assigned quote and prepare notes for discussion

  3. Summarize the importance of play-based teaching methodologies in early childhood education
    Assessment Strategies
    The learner will demonstrate competence by (Condition):
    Complete a journal entry reflection on the assigned readings
    Submit a written summary of “The Eighth Intelligence”
    Participate in a discussion of the meaning and importance of play
    List the ways young children play in nature at an early childhood program
    Participate in a group discussion about ways children play in nature
    Criteria
    You read the assigned readings
    You use the Louv text to examine The Eighth Intelligence
    You research play as it relates to learning in early childhood
    You prepare a list for use in a group discussion

  4. Explore established environmental education curricula for early childhood
    Assessment Strategies
    The learner will demonstrate competence by (Condition):
    Complete a journal entry reflection on the assigned readings
    Participate in early childhood environmental education activities from an established curriculum
    Teach the class an activity from an established environmental education curriculum
    Submit written feedback of an established environmental education curriculum
    Criteria
    You read the assigned readings
    You actively participate in activities
    You demonstrate an activity
    You evaluate and give feedback

  5. Develop lesson plans that incorporate various aspects of the outdoor environment
    Assessment Strategies
    The learner will demonstrate competence by (Condition):
    Complete a journal entry reflection on the assigned readings
    Submit a written feedback of an assigned lesson plan
    Create 3 lesson plans for early childhood that integrates environmental education and the outdoors
    Criteria
    You read the assigned readings
    You examine an assigned lesson plan
    You research and record ideas for 3 lesson plans

  6. Practice outdoor environmental education activities
    Assessment Strategies
    The learner will demonstrate competence by (Condition):
    Complete a journal entry reflection on the assigned readings
    Submit a written summary for each of 3 environmental education activities that you implemented with a group of young children
    Participate in a discussion of how young children extemporaneously adapted, changed or modified lessons as they were implemented
    Criteria
    You read the assigned readings
    You implement 3 activities and write a summary for each
    You prepare notes for group discussion of how your lessons were adapted, changed or modified by children

  7. Implement outdoor teaching strategies that encourage observation and inquiry
    Assessment Strategies
    The learner will demonstrate competence by (Condition):
    Complete a journal entry reflection on the assigned readings
    Submit 2 written observations of the outdoor play space at your early childhood program
    Submit a written paper on cycles occurring in nature that can be readily observed and how they might be used for inquiry activities
    Criteria
    You read the assigned readings
    You complete 2 observations of outdoor play space
    You research and write a paper on cycles in nture and observation/inquiry

  8. Assess outdoor environmental education lessons and activities
    Assessment Strategies
    The learner will demonstrate competence by (Condition):
    Complete a journal entry reflection on the assigned readings
    Review and discuss the National Environmental Education Standards for Early Childhood
    Submit a written assessment of a peer’s environmental education lesson for early childhood
    Submit a written assessment of your own environmental education lesson for early childhood
    Criteria
    You read the assigned readings
    You prepare notes for a discussion of the NEE Standards
    You review and assess a peer’s lesson plan
    You review and assess your own lesson plan

  9. Create an environmental education plan for an early childhood program
    Assessment Strategies
    The learner will demonstrate competence by (Condition):
    Complete a journal entry reflection on the assigned readings
    Create a written vision/mission statement for an early childhood program that includes environmental education
    Create a written plan for incorporating environmental education components into various learning spaces both indoors and outdoors in your current program
    Assess with written feedback a peer’s environmental education plan
    Criteria
    You read the assigned readings
    You contemplate and write a vision/mission statement
    You envision and construct a written environmental education plan
    You provide feedback to a peer regarding their plan