Utilizing the Outdoor School Site for EE Instruction at Forest Glen Elementary in the Howard-Suamico School District

Abstract

The purpose of this project was to increase the amount of environmental education (EE) infusion and utilization of the outdoor school site of K-5 teachers at Forest Glen Elementary in the Howard-Suamico School District. A comparison of pre-needs and post assessment responses was done to identify the amount of EE infusion in the classroom and the utilization of the outdoor school site. A committee consisting of one teacher from each grade level conducted an outdoor site assessment and identified nine existing features that could be used for EE instruction. A binder of outdoor activities was developed and distributed during three inservices that were conducted. The intent of these inservices was to raise teachers' awareness and knowledge of how the site could be utilized for EE instruction. The overall conclusion is that teachers did increase the amount of time infusing EE in their classroom, as well as increasing their use of the outdoor site. It is recommended that further efforts be made to identify the barriers of utilizing the outdoor school site and address them in future inservices conducted at Forest Glen Elementary.