Challenging the Classroom Standard Through Museum-based Education: School in the Park

✍ Scribed by et al Ian Pumpian

• Publisher: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates
• Year: 2005
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 188
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

School in the Park is an innovative museum-based educational effort to engage students in their community during the school day. Since 1999 several hundred students have been educated each year in museums and the zoo in San Diego. This is more than a field trip, it is changing the way that education is provided. Challenging the Classroom Standard Through Museum-Based Education: School in the Park presents the experience of School in the Park from the perspective of different disciplines—oral language, reading, writing, social studies, math, science, and the arts—to determine how students are learning content within museums and the zoo. It provides a number of examples, case studies, references, scenarios, and recommendations for teaching and learning outside of the traditional classroom. The perspectives of teachers, museum educators, and students are represented. Importantly, this book offers ideas that readers can use in their own communities, ranging from long-term partnering with cultural institutions to one-day trips, to ensure that students have authentic experiences with the curriculum. With the current increased focus on accountability and achievement, less attention and importance is given to community-based learning experiences. This book demonstrates the viability of merging formal and informal learning and using community venues as an extension of the classroom. All those interested in and charged with educating children will find this book useful in exploring powerful learning experiences that occur outside traditional classroom settings.

✦ Table of Contents

Book Cover......Page 1
Title......Page 4
Copyright......Page 5
Contents......Page 6
Foreword......Page 8
Preface......Page 12
Acknowledgments......Page 14
2004–2005 School in the Park Teachers......Page 18
CHAPTER ONE School in the Park— A Unique Learning Experience for Children and Teachers......Page 21
CHAPTER TWO Perspectives on Learning—Creating Optimal Conditions for Learning......Page 36
CHAPTER THREE Talking in Museums: When Vices Turn Into Virtues Exploring Oral Language Development......Page 51
CHATPER FOUR Reading in the Park......Page 66
CHAPTER FIVE An Authentic Context for Writing to Learn and Teaching Writing Intentionally......Page 85
CHAPTER SIX Arts as a Centerpiece for Integrated Learning......Page 104
CHAPTER SEVEN Where Is the Mathematics? Everywhere!......Page 123
CHAPTER EIGHT The Opportunity to Learn Science Like Scientists: Museums Are a Good Idea......Page 136
CHAPTER NINE Engaging Students in Social Studies Through Exploration, Documentation, and Analysis: Museums and Field Studies Can Bring Social Studies to Life......Page 151
About the Editors......Page 175
About the Authors......Page 177
Author Index......Page 181
Subject Index......Page 185