One of the key elements to PBL is to encourage our students to collaborate, communicate, to use critical thinking skills, and to utilize technology. These are skills that we refer to as "soft skills" which will serve them well in the future (secondary education, high education, and the work place). Some of these skills can be encouraged by having experts to speak to the class, to collaborate as a expert with the students, and to allow students to ask critical questions.
Here at Union Elementary, our third grade team, asked a local park ranger to come and visit the class. Mrs. Smith and the third grade team shared some of the things the students learned from Ms. Manuel today:
1. Our state parks were created by Col. Richard Lieber in 1916. They will celebrate their 100th birthday next year! Col. Lieber wanted a state park within an hour’s drive for all Hoosiers.
2. Ms. Manuel is an Indiana State Park Ranger/Naturalist. She is currently working in Prophetstown State Park near Lafayette. Prophetstown in our newest state park and is about 10 years old.
3. Ranger Manuel explained all the “hats” park rangers wear and their various jobs and duties. She also shared two animals with us that had been given to the park because they were never meant to be pets – a box turtle and a hog nosed snake. But, one of the most important things she shared about being a ranger was this: “I do not take care of animals. I take care of the places they live so they can take care of themselves. That’s what a Naturalist does.”
4. She then went on to explain why state parks are such important and great resources to Hoosiers. In our state parks, people can experience Nature, History and Recreation 365 days a year.
Here are some highlights from the students’ perspectives:
Student #1 - A box turtle can live for over 100 years. The hog nose snake has teeth very far back in its throat. Some state parks have been around for almost 100 years.
Student #2 - I learned about how hawks are endangered. I also learned how otters can be killed by beaver and fish traps. finally, I learned about the plants that help stop your breathing problems.
Student #3 - I would like to learn more about box turtles. What I would do at a State Park would be to have fun and go on trails. I learned that some snakes like to eat frogs and toads.
Student #4 - I think it is cool that turtles can live up to 100 years. In the state parks, I want to learn more about nature and I also want to learn more about history.
Check out the slide show of the exciting visit:
Here at Union Elementary, our third grade team, asked a local park ranger to come and visit the class. Mrs. Smith and the third grade team shared some of the things the students learned from Ms. Manuel today:
1. Our state parks were created by Col. Richard Lieber in 1916. They will celebrate their 100th birthday next year! Col. Lieber wanted a state park within an hour’s drive for all Hoosiers.
2. Ms. Manuel is an Indiana State Park Ranger/Naturalist. She is currently working in Prophetstown State Park near Lafayette. Prophetstown in our newest state park and is about 10 years old.
3. Ranger Manuel explained all the “hats” park rangers wear and their various jobs and duties. She also shared two animals with us that had been given to the park because they were never meant to be pets – a box turtle and a hog nosed snake. But, one of the most important things she shared about being a ranger was this: “I do not take care of animals. I take care of the places they live so they can take care of themselves. That’s what a Naturalist does.”
4. She then went on to explain why state parks are such important and great resources to Hoosiers. In our state parks, people can experience Nature, History and Recreation 365 days a year.
Here are some highlights from the students’ perspectives:
Student #1 - A box turtle can live for over 100 years. The hog nose snake has teeth very far back in its throat. Some state parks have been around for almost 100 years.
Student #2 - I learned about how hawks are endangered. I also learned how otters can be killed by beaver and fish traps. finally, I learned about the plants that help stop your breathing problems.
Student #3 - I would like to learn more about box turtles. What I would do at a State Park would be to have fun and go on trails. I learned that some snakes like to eat frogs and toads.
Student #4 - I think it is cool that turtles can live up to 100 years. In the state parks, I want to learn more about nature and I also want to learn more about history.
Check out the slide show of the exciting visit: