Great Ideas: Lake Neshonoc Project

Community-based learning/The Lake Neshonoc Project

Project objective

To facilitate student learning about the environment

Grade level and subject area:

7-12/Science, English, & Social Studies

Activities and strategies:

My class and I have adopted a lake, Lake Neshonoc, and we create learning opportunities based around it. We go out to the lake once a week, where kids carry out activities or sit and reflect. There is a naturalist at the site who meets us and talks about the ecosystem surrounding the lake. We also do water testing and other measurements of the lake which give students hands-on science experiences.

Each student brings a sketchbook in which they note anything they see or hear, such as temperature, nature, wildlife. I especially encourage them to listen to nature. Later, students combine all their sketches into a full-page sketch and include comments for reflection. We tie their written work to our study of different forms of prose, such as Native American legends and designs.

Another part of the project is to have students share what they learn about the lake with others. For example, they create lesson plans and teach them to second graders. Students collect information on the history of the lake and interview older people from the area to get their historical perspective. Parents and the whole community also help in many ways. Finally, we gather everything we've learned about the lake (water quality, wildlife, plant life, and the stories) and make a report to the community.

Mary Baumann teaches 6th grade at West Salem Elementary School, 450 Mark St. N, West Salem, WI 54669.

This document was last updated 6/24/97 by Chandra Hawley.
Copyright1996 Indiana University - Center for Adolescent Studies, all rights reserved.
Kris Bosworth ">

This document was last updated 6/24/97 by Chandra Hawley.
Copyright1996 Indiana University - Center for Adolescent Studies, all rights reserved.
Kris Bosworth ing students that what they do in school affects their lives and their future jobs."

In this issue of Teacher Talk, we highlight examples of how schools are already breaking new ground and creating learning experiences which help develop life-long learning skills. Secondary students are:

working with the elderly and others who are ethnically or culturally different
providing service in their communities to enhance citizenship and learning goals
learning about the environmental conditions around the world
taking action on issues which are important to them
using telecommunications to link classrooms worldwide

These exciting and inspiring ideas are from teachers who are exploring the cutting edge of their profession. Their students are learning in innovative ways and responding positively. One student remarked, "This has been unlike any other learning experience." This issue shows a few of the many possibilities to break down the walls of classrooms.