Seasons and Reasons-Let’s Get Growing and

Going!

Developing hands-on experiential learning

opportunities for the special-needs classroom.Amy R.

WilliamsTeacher of Students with Emotional and Behavioral

NeedsPolson Middle School-grades

5-8awilliams@polson.k12.mt.us

406-883-6335 ext. 327

**Photos by Amy R. Williams, using the iPad that was generously provided through donations to Science Horizons Initiative

Background Information• I am a non-typical teacher because I was a non-typical learner.

– This affects EVERYTHING about my teaching philosophy and practices.

• My students have:– Emotional Needs– Behavioral Needs– Learning Needs– Human Needs (a largely overlooked area, I believe)

• Reading, Writing and Arithmetic (and Science, Social Studies…) – creates anxiety for my students, resulting in inappropriate behaviors

• Diverse learners have diverse needs– Visual, Auditory, Tactile methods of educational delivery– If the end result is the same or better, does the journey matter?

• Alternative teaching for alternative learners!• We are Facilitators of Knowledge and Creators of Connections

– Youth is sacred, make it meaningful yet magical, give something to believe in

Project Synopsis

OVERALL LONG TERM GOAL:• Develop a year-long program that meets the

cross-curricular academic and life-skills needs of diverse learners through experiential hands-on cultural and place-based learning opportunities.

• Integrate local resources and partnerships to deliver education through:– Hands-on Experiments and Activities– Oral and Visual Information Delivery– Environmental Outdoor Themes with a Focus on

the Development of a School Garden & Compost Program

Project Synopsis

Think BIG; Start small

SHORT TERM GOAL• Create a 1st quarter plan that:– Gets the project started – Creates student ownership– Keeps the momentum flowing, creating

energy for continuance – Lays the groundwork for the school year

Goals-First Quarter

Get the School Garden GROWING AND GOING!• Integrate: Local and National Native American

Traditional/Contemporary Importance/Uses of Plants, Math, Reading, Writing, Health, Art, Life-Skills, and SCIENCE by planning, creating & utilizing a school garden

• Lay groundwork for Seasons and Reasons• Collaboratively design & build raised beds for growing NOW!• Plant for late fall harvest & collection• Plant for spring perennials & harvest • Collaboratively design, build & use a composting system• Develop a game plan for the remainder of the year, based on the

trials and tribulations of 1st quarter. • Begin dialog among school & community to aid in cross-curricular-

cross-cultural learning

StandardsIndian Education for ALL : Essential Understandings

Don’t be part of the misconception-this is not only for Native Students, it is a Montana Constitutional Mandate that requires schools to teach and meet educational standards regarding Montana Native Peoples and North American Native Peoples

This project meets these standards:• EU1:There is great diversity among the 12 tribal Nations of Montana in their languages, cultures, histories and governments. Each

Nation has a distinct and unique cultural heritage that contributes to modern Montana.

• EU2:There is great diversity among individual American Indians as identity is developed, defined and redefined by entities, organizations and people. A continuum of Indian identity, unique to each individual, ranges from assimilated to traditional. There is no generic American Indian.

• EU3:The ideologies of Native traditional beliefs and spirituality persist into modern day life as tribal cultures, traditions, and languages are still practiced by many American Indian people and are incorporated into how tribes govern and manage their affairs. Additionally, each tribe has its own oral histories, which are as valid as written histories. These histories pre-date the “discovery” of North America.

• EU4:Reservations are lands that have been reserved by the tribes for their own use through treaties, statutes, and executive orders and were not “given” to them. The principle that land should be acquired from the Indians only through their consent with treaties involved three assumptions:

I. Both parties to treaties were sovereign powers.II. Indian tribes had some form of transferable title to the land.III. Acquisition of Indian lands was solely a government matter not to be left toindividual colonists.

• EU6: History is a story most often related through the subjective experience of the teller. With the inclusion of more and varied voices, histories are being rediscovered and revised. History told from an Indian perspective frequently conflicts with the stories mainstream historians tell.

• Information gathered from http://www.opi.mt.gov/pdf/indianed/resources/essentialunderstandings.pdf

Standards

Cross-Curricular Special Education IEPs –students grades 5-8

• Service Areas of Need:IndividualizedEducationalPlanEvery student who has a specific disability that qualifies them to receive Special Education Services is required by state and federal law to have an IEP that states their :*Preferences, Needs and Interests- *Present Level of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFP)*Specific Academic and Transitional Measurable Annual Goals (MAG)-unique to them and that align to state and federal academic standards Screenshot Photo from Montana SPED AIM Infinite Campus Database

Materials/Resources Needed:

Materials to Purchase• WR Story…..!....• Dehydrator (top quality)• Food Slicer• Tools for the garden

– We have NOTHING!!– Hand Tools & Gloves– Watering Cans– Hoses/Water Storage– Pruners– Composting Thermometer– Pitch Fork– Wheel Barrow– Shelves for storage

• Curriculum

• Cords/Connectors for iPad• Keyboard for iPad

Resources to Utilize• Old adage...It takes a village

– New adage-It takes a reservation!

• Local Help for Fence Install– Partner with CSKT/SKC/FREO

• Local Help for School Garden– SKC Greenhouse Program– Local Greenhouses– Area Nurseries, Orchards, etc

• Local Groups and Tribal Leaders– CSKT Natural Resources

• Volunteers/Partners– School & Community– Parents– Mentor Students

• And many more…..!.....– Suggestions?...

Plans for iPad usageFor the Student:

• Photography• Documentation• Research• Cataloging• Communication• Teaching• Learning• Writing• Reading• Connecting• Recording• Reward• Recreation• …….

For the Teacher:

• Photography• Documentation• Research• Recording• Demonstrations• Communication• Teaching• Learning• Connecting• Inspiring

Acknowledgements & Accolades • Dr. John Peters

• MSU Astrobiology Research Center and Thermobiology Institute

• MSU Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry• MSU Office of the Provost• Dr. Walter Fleming– MSU Dept. of Native American Studies

• Dr. Christian Bahn– Adjunct Professor of ChemistryM.A.P.S. Students and CoordinatorsMSU Extension Offices and Programs

Chi-Miigwetch (Gigantic Thanks!)• Dr. Charles “Bill” McLaughlin– Adjunct Professor of Chemistry

• Your Passion and TIRELESS Devotion allows us to focus on the 4-C’s– Connections– Collaboration– Concentration– Cooperation

• Ms. Tess Corbin– MSU Chemistry Dept. Administrative Assistant

• Fellow Colleagues and Co-Collaborators– Ruth Ferris Charla Lake Kevin Newman Tera

Flink David Chalmers

MSU Science Horizons Initiative Allows us to:

Chi-Miigwetch-A Big Thanks for EVERYTHING!