The librarian will...
Facilitate the initial activity.
Coordinate the volunteer visits and the display of any field artifacts.
Compile Web resources and display related informational texts.
Prepare laminated field cards with prints to help with track identification.
Help students prepare a document to efficiently catalog their findings.
Support students as they gather field evidence and guide them as they evaluate, analyze, and create meaning from their artifacts.
This will occur through:
questioning (asking open-ended questions)
allowing students to confer with their peers
providing students with the opportunity to tangibly apply what they have learned to their field experiences.
What to Consider
What is a workshop?
A "workshop" focuses on an enrichment activity to incorporate student interests, nurture creativity, motivate students, and expose them to topics, ideas, concepts, and/or events not necessarily covered in the classroom curriculum. These workshop should stimulate new or present interests and lead to individual or small group followup and possibly a creative product. Our workshop is lead by a librarian, but could be lead by any adult. It is supported by this website of resources and supports student discovery and incorporates their contributions. Workshops could be done during lunchtimes or study halls, after school, as a club activity, or during summer school. Take a look at this website for some examples. It is important to remember that workshops need to be flexible. The leader is there for support and structure, not for "presentations" on the topic. This is a time for students to follow interests, explore, and discover new questions or interests. You will be the "guide on the side."
Here are a few tips for this workshop:
Supplies (This will depend on the number of students):
Cameras / Video Cameras, Journal Pages, Clipboards, Plaster, a field guide, measuring tape, and a way to share videos and pictures.
Locations for tracks:
This will really depend on where you are located. Ideally you would like a place that contains a variety of animals. Usually this is near a water source such as a pond, lake, or river. If you are not sure where to start, check with your local DNR such as this site. Be sure to check the local hunting seasons and regulations, just to be safe.
"Experts":
Our plan calls for a DNR officer to discuss some of the local wildlife and show some pelts of local animals. Primarily, the guests that come into a workshop are their to answer questions and assist in the student exploration. Be creative when thinking about who comes in to help. It doesn't have to be a DNR officer. What we are looking for is someone that can answer student questions, and motivate them a little bit more. In our workshop, we could consider anyone that has experience in tracking, such a a hunter, military personnel, or wildlife lover. Be open to people in your community coming to help. During the "field trip" portion of the workshop simple volunteers would be helpful for supervision, but those with tracking experience would be even more helpful.
Sharing Learning:
An important part of the process is sharing student learning. Our idea wasn't for us to share what the students learned, we wanted the students to share. We created a page for student videos, pictures, and discussions. Here, they could share ideas, questions, and possibly connect with other students. Another idea would be that the students become "experts" and share their evidence and teach others the art of tracking. However the students share their learning, it is important for you to be flexible and supportive. Allow the students to dream big!
