 Falmouth Outdoor Learning Project Recognizes Lawrence School teacher, Bob Porto’s Outdoor Lesson for December. Mr. Porto is an eighth-grade engineering teacher with over fourteen years of experience “Railcar Rally” was an interdisciplinary lesson taking place over the course of a few weeks culminating in a rally outside the front of the school. A new project that, Mr. Porto began this year in which students worked in teams to build old fashioned pump trolley type vehicles in their Engineering classes. They spent 3 weeks building both the carts and the accessories and explored a bit of history of Falmouth's railroad industry. This was supplemented by a walk to the bus station to see the relics from the old tracks. It also followed a lesson in Social Studies which was designed to supplement the project by exploring the local uses of the railroad from its construction to decline. “My students loved this lesson because they were able to personally "cause" and observe weathering and erosion, while in an outdoor learning space where they know real weathering and erosion take place.”  When asked what Mr. Porto, enjoyed most about this outdoor lesson, he told us that, “I enjoyed troubleshooting whether the project could be done, and then walking through it with the students. It's always great to get them outside, where they can be seen by a larger audience. Plus, the cold air is a great motivator to move faster! I think kids need a place to showcase their work and see the purpose behind a project. In this case, the purpose was to build the most efficient cart possible to win the fastest time.” The day of the race, teams planned and paired off to complete 4 laps of the bus runway in front of the school. Mr. Porto had to shorten the length due to the winds that day, but overall students worked in pairs to race to the end and back, before trading out with their next teammates, relay style. In the end, the team with the fastest time has their name engraved on a trophy made by one of our students. “I think students appreciated the attention of being in front of the school, recognizing that the project was valued by all their team teachers who supported and participated in the event. It showed that we all recognize that valuable learning occurs outside the confines of our individual classrooms and disciplines. Watching me go through the steps of the engineering process to learn along with them was also of value to them because it made them feel like we were all on a team together. We all troubleshot together as we figured out better ways to improve the carts every day. I was very upfront about the fact that I was learning right along with them. I think that holds a lot of value for the kids to see that we're still learning as well. They still have room to improve in future years, but I was satisfied with the way they worked.” This lesson is available to be shared with interested staff. “I hope to make this an annual project- one of many I do as a culmination of the Engineering trimester. Competition is a great motivator!”
Congratulations to Mr. Porto! The Outdoor Learning Project, a committee of the Rotary Club of Falmouth, Cape Cod highlights one outdoor learning lesson each month submitted by our local educators that work with Falmouth students. The committee also awards a $100 as a thank you for featuring their outdoor lesson. Learn more about the Falmouth Outdoor Learning Project at: https://www.falmouthoutdoorlearningproject.com/ Interested educators can submit their lessons here: https://forms.gle/shV6rPwqh8z4AzFY8 If you would like to contribute towards the Lesson Recognition Fund, please visit The Rotary Club of Falmouth, Cape Cod, a 501c3 organization. Select Youth on the Paypal link and outdoor classroom project-outdoor lesson. You can also send a Venmo or mail in a check and be sure to include the same note. Our address is: PO Box 293 Falmouth, MA 02541
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 Falmouth Outdoor Learning Project Recognizes North Falmouth Elementary Teacher, Samantha Emerson’s Outdoor Lesson for November. Ms. Emerson is a second grade teacher with over five years of experience
“Modeling the Impacts of Weathering and Erosion” was an interdisciplinary lesson which covered standards in science and writing taking place outside her classroom on the picnic tables in September. Ms. Emerson created the lesson plan utilizing resources such as Mystery Science and Generation Genius. “My students loved this lesson because they were able to personally "cause" and observe weathering and erosion, while in an outdoor learning space where they know real weathering and erosion take place.” When asked what Ms. Emerson enjoyed most about this outdoor lesson, she told us that, “This outdoor lesson was enjoyable because it allowed for a more hands-on experiment to take place! Utilizing the outdoor learning space encouraged (reasonable) mess making and appropriate application of our concept of study. Being able to truly model and observe the impacts that weathering and erosion have on Earth's materials, while outside with real life evidence around us, was extremely beneficial for student learning. The change in scenery certainly helped overall engagement too!” Congratulations to Ms. Emerson! The Outdoor Learning Project, a committee of the Rotary Club of Falmouth, Cape Cod highlights one outdoor learning lesson each month submitted by our local educators that work with Falmouth students. The committee also awards a $100 as a thank you for featuring their outdoor lesson. Learn more about the Falmouth Outdoor Learning Project at: https://www.falmouthoutdoorlearningproject.com/ Falmouth Public Schools - Massachusetts Interested educators can submit their lessons here: https://forms.gle/shV6rPwqh8z4AzFY8 If you would like to contribute towards the Lesson Recognition Fund, please visit The Rotary Club of Falmouth, Cape Cod, a 501c3 organization. Select Youth on the Paypal link and outdoor classroom project-outdoor lesson. You can also send a Venmo or mail in a check and be sure to include the same note. Our address is: PO Box 293 Falmouth, MA 02541 Two weeks ago the brand new outdoor learning carts were delivered to the 4 elementary schools. Each cart contains items from a list that our local teachers and staff collaborated on. Special thanks to Dr. Tellier and the Falmouth Public Schools - Massachusetts for supporting and funding the latest tools for outdoor education! We can't wait to see them in action!   Morse Pond School now has the first 4 picnic tables for under one of their tents thanks to donations to our committee! Special thanks to Bob Oliveira for going out in the pouring rain to pick them up and deliver to the school for us!!! Morse Pond School still has an immediate need for funding at least 8 additional picnic tables for their other tent and the school grounds. Picnic tables cost approx between $110 to $160 (depending on the current market and availability) but prices just dropped to the lower end. If you would like to make a donation please make one via check, venmo or PayPal to Falmouth Rotary Club memo "outdoor learning picnic Morse Pond". You can also opt to purchase it yourself and drop at the school or have the committee arrange the delivery or assembly. Just be sure to contact us.
As we move on from stumps and begin to provide longer term infrastructure for outdoor learning we are so grateful for the continued support from our community and schools! Our committee is still taking donations for picnic tables and other needs across all the schools that have been requested by our staff. If you are interested in helping thru volunteer work or financial support please reach out! Donate via Rotary Club Venmo: www.venmo.com/u/FALMOUTHROTARYCLUBCC  Falmouth Outdoor Learning Project Recognizes Mullen-Hall School Teacher, Maureen Tichenor’s Outdoor Lesson for October. This month our outdoor lesson was share by Ms. Tichenor, a veteran Kindergarten teacher and BCBA at with over 22 years of experience “Ocean’s Day” was an interdisciplinary kindergarten lesson which covered standards in Science, Art, Cooperative Learning, and Listening. Every kindergartener across the district was able to participate by going to Mullen Hall last spring. The focus was on teaching children about the different layers of the ocean and the adaptations marine animals have made to survive. Ms. Tichenor also has ensured that all the kindergarten teams across the district received the shared materials so that this collaboration can continue.  When asked what Ms. Tichenor enjoyed most about this outdoor lesson, she told us that, “The children’s excitement elicited by their hands on exploration of marine life and the seed to learn more that was planted.” Based on the feedback received from children, teachers and families that attend as well as the joy on the student faces it is evident that lesson was loved by all. Congratulations to Ms. Tichenor! The Outdoor Learning Project, a committee of the Rotary Club of Falmouth, Cape Cod highlights one outdoor learning lesson each month submitted by our local educators that work with Falmouth students. The committee also awards a $100 as a thank you for featuring their outdoor lesson. Learn more about the Falmouth Outdoor Learning Project at: https://www.falmouthoutdoorlearningproject.com/ Falmouth Public Schools - Massachusetts Interested educators can submit their lessons here: https://forms.gle/shV6rPwqh8z4AzFY8 If you would like to contribute towards the Teacher Recognition Fund, please visit The Rotary Club of Falmouth, Cape Cod, a 501c3 organization. Select Youth on the Paypal link and outdoor classroom project. You can also send a Venmo or mail in a check and be sure to include the same note. Our address is: PO Box 293 Falmouth, MA 02541
 Falmouth Outdoor Learning Project Recognizes East Falmouth Elementary Teacher, Kate Skehill’s Outdoor Lesson for September The Outdoor Learning Project, a committee of the Rotary Club of Falmouth, Cape Cod highlights one teacher or staff each month featuring their outdoor learning lesson. Staff members are encouraged to self-submit their lessons for recognition and receive a $100 cash card as a thank you for featuring their outdoor lesson. For the month of September, we are highlighting Kate Skehill, a veteran 3rd grade teacher with 19 years of experience at East Falmouth Elementary School. The interdisciplinary lesson: “The Power of Flowers: Trait Variation, Inheritance, and Artificial Selection” covered standards in Math, Science, Social Studies, Cooperative Learning, Listening, Speaking and Productive Debate. The lesson took place in the gorgeous courtyard at the school. They explored answering the question: “Why are some apples red and some green?” through their senses and observation. The students also explored how are the apples color, texture, and taste similar and different through taste testing and observations under the microscopes. Students collected data and graphed student preferences among Granny Smith, Honey Crisp, Golden Delicious, and Red Delicious. The students had lots of fun learning, exploring, tasting, and debating! When asked what Ms. Skehill enjoyed most about this outdoor lesson, she told us that, “I love watching the excitement of students when learning to use scientific tools! They are so engaged! Working on social skills like forming opinions, justifying their thinking, LISTENING to opinions that differ from their own, and taking turns all while learning the subject matter and having FUN just can't be beat!” The students also loved the lesson! “They know they are real scientists and feel it when using the microscopes. Also, third graders love anything to do with food. They had such great questions about how apples have changed in the last hundred years!” Congratulations to Ms. Skehill! Interested educators can submit their lessons here: https://forms.gle/shV6rPwqh8z4AzFY8 If you would like to contribute towards the Teacher Recognition Fund, please visit The Rotary Club of Falmouth, Cape Cod, a 501c3 organization. Select Youth on the Paypal link and outdoor classroom project. You can also send a Venmo or mail in a check and be sure to include the same note. Our address is: PO Box 293 Falmouth, MA 02541
 Thank you again to Sara and Caleb Giguere who raised around $2,200 for the outdoor learning project! "Caleb and I are both passionate about getting kids outside, for many reasons. Fresh air is so important, and it’s a different stimulus than being in a classroom,” she said. “There are so many opportunities for learning, from plants and nature to weather patterns to moon cycles.” You can still donate to Caleb or Sara (click their names) thru the end of September or you can donate directly to Rotary Club of Falmouth Cape Cod. This year our project will continue to build out infrastructure, finish the nature trails, build out the island in the sky website, introduce our new teacher recognition incentive (stay tuned for our first teacher spotlight next week), and work with our new learning partner specialist, Carmela Mayeski. If you would like to get involved no matter how big or small, we would love to have you join us and lend your talents! Article in the Falmouth Enterprise Link If you would like to contribute towards the Outdoor Learning Project, please visit The Rotary Club of Falmouth, Cape Cod, a 501c3 organization. Select Youth on the Paypal link and outdoor classroom project. You can also send a Venmo or mail in a check and be sure to include the same note. Our address is: PO Box 293 Falmouth, MA 02541
 Thank you to the Falmouth Road Race, who honored us today with a grant for the Falmouth Outdoor Learning Committee. Rotary Club of Falmouth Cape Cod, President Elect and Chair of the Outdoor Learning Committee, Amy Leonardi accepted the grant on behalf of the club. The grant will go towards the Nature Trail part of our project that is now in place at 2 of 4 elementary schools. The funding will help us towards completion of this project at both East Falmouth Elementary School and North Falmouth Elementary School!  Love seeing our local students out and about helping nurture the school gardens during the summer! We are currently seeking interested people/businesses or landscapers in adopting a school garden. There are several ways to participate in this including simply just lending verbal expertise. Contact us if interested!
Falmouth Teachers & Staff:
Please submit your name and lesson for consideration of recognition by the Outdoor Learning Project, a committee of the Rotary Club of Falmouth, Cape Cod. Our committee is looking to highlight to the community our teachers and staff for their outdoor learning lessons. We hope to highlight 1 lesson per month beginning in July. The staff member for the lesson selected will receive a $100 cash card as part of the recognition and the lesson will be highlighted to the community thru various means. https://forms.gle/shV6rPwqh8z4AzFY8 |
Photo Credit: Steve Heaslip photos
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