In the fall, Eddie and I came up with a list of “Filters” or criteria for evaluating LREC programs. I’ve added suggestions that you all have made.
Does the field experience…
· Develop skills and/or knowledge needed for students to develop an Enduring Understanding (or attain unit learning goals)?
· Interest and engage all students, including the hard-to-engage students?
· Challenge the bright student?
· Incorporate inquiry process skills? –o Student-generated questions –o Relevant investigations –o Meaningful data is recorded and interpreted –o Incorporates measurements and calculations –o Students reflect and communicate
· Consist of seasonally appropriate activities?
· Consist of grade appropriate activities?
· Make effective use of LREC resources?
· Provide a meaningful component to a multi-visit and/or multi-year sequence of field experiences?
· Require the teacher to take an active role?
· Include a student assessment component?
· Have a “rainy-day” back-up plan?
· Allow for exploring time?
· Include fun?