Term
Fall 2019
Capstone
Capstone Project
Degree Name
MAED: NSEE
Facilitator(s)
Laura Halldin
Content Expert
Lynn DeLima
Abstract
Research has shown that most students in conventional classrooms lack exposure to the natural world in the midst of the complete school day. Looking more specifically at students who have Emotional Behavior Disorders and being in a self-contained classroom can prevent ideal opportunities for the therapeutic benefits of exposure to what the outside environment can provide. The driving focus for this project is creating a nature-based environmental connection to at-risk EBD students in a self-contained classroom. Relying on the influence of biophilic design, this project utilizes many aspects of how natural features can benefit the students both emotionally and educationally. Studies have shown that students who feel more comfortable in their environment and have a sense of control will also have less anxiety. The use of biophilia and environmental education have been combined in this project to create a 10 lesson unit. Each lesson is created with the Understanding by Design format with adherence to Common Core State State Standards and the Next Generation Science Standards. As the unit progresses there is a steady progression of a classroom being transformed into a nature based educational setting. The goal of this project is to provide tools that students can use to improve their own classroom and build confidence but mainly to provide a feeling of safety when they are in their learning environment. These lessons can be modified for almost any grade level.
Project Type
Curriculum
Keywords
At-risk Students, Curriculum, Interdisciplinary Teaching, Environmental Education
Recommended Citation
Thayer, Timothy L., "Creating a Nature-Based Environmental Connection to At-Risk EBD Students in a Self-Contained Classroom" (2019). School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects. 420.
https://digitalcommons.hamline.edu/hse_cp/420
dc_type
text
dc_publisher
DigitalCommons@Hamline
dc_format
application/pdf
dc_source
School of Education Student Capstone Projects