Teacher Workshop
Terrestrial Ecology - How to Teach It in the K-12 Classroom
Terrestrial ecosystems are all around you. However, they need not be an expansive deciduous or coniferous forest, grassland, desert or tropical jungle. The ecosystem could be a small woodland, municipal park, cemetery or vacant lot. It may even be your schoolyard. This workshop is designed to help K - 12 teachers to use one or more terrestrial ecosystems in order to help teach a comprehensive ecology curriculum.
In order to accomplish this goal we will focus on three themes:
In order to accomplish this goal we will focus on three themes:
Learn major ecological principles that give a unifying picture as to how all terrestrial ecosystems work. In other words, we will put all the puzzle pieces together so that you see the big picture as to how a forest, prairie or desert ecosystem is structured and how they function. We do NOT just cover a few popular topics such as adaptations, food chains and biomes.
Learn activities that will help to teach each major ecological concept. You can use these activities to avoid just lecturing your students through the terrestrial ecology curriculum.
Learn how to use ecological research as a vehicle to teach concepts.
Do you have a terrestrial ecosystem in mind that you might want to use? Describe the location to us, as well as bring any lesson plan ideas that you may have. We can help you to create a dynamic and enjoyable educational ecology unit for your students.
Credits: Pond Ecosystem (Miles Kelly)
