Hosted by Elaine & Mark, with Brook taking on most of the Chicken teaching.
Lesson Plan:
Lesson Plan:
We will explore the way the concepts of mutualism (the way multiple organisms can work together for shared benefit) and commensalism (where one organism benefits while the other is unaffected) can work in our every day lives. For example: students will see how chickens can benefit a garden and their human care givers while gardens and humans can benefit the chicken (mutualism). Commensalism ideas will be applied to recyclable landscaping and reuse of household items for alternate end.
Class Schedule*:
Class Schedule*:
9:45am to 10:30am - Drop off/Free play
10:30am - Class in session
- Class introductions and sharing
- Go over class schedule and rules of the class
10:45am to Noon - Class instructions/exercises
- Introduction of concepts
- Chicken visiting and care
- Applying concepts to surroundings
Noon to 1:00pm – Lunch and free play
1:00pm to 1:30pm - Viewing & discussion of The Story of Stuff
1:30pm to 2:00pm - Examples of reuse and repurposing items in garden landscaping
2:00pm to 2:45pm - Hands on building/planting
2:45pm to 3:00pm - Closing meeting
*Of course, since Brook and I are known for playing things by ear, this may totally change. The ideas will more or less remain the same.
Elaine's follow up comments to the parents after the class:
We might have set your children up to accost Starbucks patrons. In an aside, we were pointing out to the kids how many throw-a-way elements go into a cup of coffee at Starbucks -- cup, sleeve, lid, (sugar packets & stir stick if you're into that kind of thing), little plastic spill stopper thingie -- and how almost all of those items could be removed from the process if you simply bring your own cup. Also, they take $.10 off your total when you provide your own cup. So, if your kid turns into that environmental crusader in the coffee shop, sorry about that (but not really).
Overall the day went really well. The kids were engaged, responsive, eager to be part of the answer and rock-star planters in the garden. They pet the chicken gently, enjoyed the chicken poop talk, made sure the littles had their turn at everything and supported each other in (almost) every way. About 1:30 their brains appeared full and with the heat outside, we gave up, herded them all inside and allowed them to devour an entire watermelon. They read books, laid around on the floor and then played like monkeys. It was a perfect day.
For future teachers, I feel as though we may have missed on figuring out the timing on things. What we thought would take an hour only ran about half in some cases. I would suggest doing all your outside stuff early in the morning before it gets too hot, then inside time. Also, have an extra activity in your back pocket or be comfortable with them just having free time to play. Personally, I think free time is beautiful and encourage that route. There was some beautifully imaginative play during that time as well as a great deal of feather collecting, secret spot discovering (our pine trees make beautiful, shady bowers), balloon popping, collaborative play.
Thank you all for lending us your kids. After everyone left all four of us crashed and took a nap. It was awesome!
We might have set your children up to accost Starbucks patrons. In an aside, we were pointing out to the kids how many throw-a-way elements go into a cup of coffee at Starbucks -- cup, sleeve, lid, (sugar packets & stir stick if you're into that kind of thing), little plastic spill stopper thingie -- and how almost all of those items could be removed from the process if you simply bring your own cup. Also, they take $.10 off your total when you provide your own cup. So, if your kid turns into that environmental crusader in the coffee shop, sorry about that (but not really).
Overall the day went really well. The kids were engaged, responsive, eager to be part of the answer and rock-star planters in the garden. They pet the chicken gently, enjoyed the chicken poop talk, made sure the littles had their turn at everything and supported each other in (almost) every way. About 1:30 their brains appeared full and with the heat outside, we gave up, herded them all inside and allowed them to devour an entire watermelon. They read books, laid around on the floor and then played like monkeys. It was a perfect day.
For future teachers, I feel as though we may have missed on figuring out the timing on things. What we thought would take an hour only ran about half in some cases. I would suggest doing all your outside stuff early in the morning before it gets too hot, then inside time. Also, have an extra activity in your back pocket or be comfortable with them just having free time to play. Personally, I think free time is beautiful and encourage that route. There was some beautifully imaginative play during that time as well as a great deal of feather collecting, secret spot discovering (our pine trees make beautiful, shady bowers), balloon popping, collaborative play.
Thank you all for lending us your kids. After everyone left all four of us crashed and took a nap. It was awesome!
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