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Correlating your Program to State Standards
Correlating an environmental education program to the State Standards is quite a process! You must know what the standards are, so having a copy in front of you is imperative. Then, it is just a matter of going through your program or curriculum to see what part of your program matches which standard for what age level. I requested the "how to" steps from a friend who recently completed correlating the entire scope of lessons from a residential outdoor school. Here is the letter.
Dear Deb,
I took each hike/lesson outline (K-6) and individually looked at them against their appropriate grade level standards. For example, for 3rd grade, I took our Chumash hike/lesson outline and the third grade standards booklet and starting with Language Arts standard area, went through each part and would indicate on a matrix whether we met that standard or not.
If the standard was met, next to it I had a column stating how it was covered [when and/or where (or what activity)]. For example in the History/Social Science strand, Continuity and Change 3.2.4 states, “The interaction of new settlers with the already established Indians of the region.” So this standard would be met by discussing the arrival & interaction of settlers with the Chumash people, and I would state a specific location in which to discuss this.
It became time consuming developing an example for each standard, but I felt would be helpful when other staff members needed to implement them. When I went through the standards it was easy to say, yes, we meet that, but putting "how" we met it on paper was a little more difficult. I continued doing this for all of the State Standards: Language Arts, History/Social Science, Mathematics, and Science.
One area that was challenging was the decision to change or add to our existing hikes/lessons in order to meet additional standards. If this could be easily added, without putting too much strain on the already "not enough time to teach what we already have" hike, then it was done. If it was too far of a stretch, then it was not done. In one case we actually switched 2 hikes/lessons, due to the fact that the standards would be better met at a different grade level.
If you are using existing lessons (for EE), it may be helpful to look at Science Standards first, to identify if theme is consistent with hike/lesson. One important question to ask would be: How willing are you to change your existing lesson to meet more standards (keeping in mind the time factor and possible materials in order to do this)? I would also recommend having some one who is familiar with the material (who has actually done the hikes or lessons) work on or at least assist in the standards work. I believe their experience and knowledge may allow for some insights that would otherwise be difficult to think of.
It takes some time, but once you get familiar with the standards, it does go quicker and you become more aware of the standards as a whole.
Have fun!
Jodi
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