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Professional Development
Noted for its exemplary education programs for children, QBG is proud to offer equally innovative professional development options for elementary and intermediate level teachers.
For more information or to receive emails about QBG Professional Development, contact Marnie Rackmill at mrackmill@queensbotanical.org or 718-886-3800 ext. 371.
Options for Individuals
Using Explorations into Botany and Outdoor Spaces to Further Your Teaching Practice
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays July 9-20, 2012 (July 9, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20)
9am to 4pm
Grades Pre-K through 8
This inquiry-based, learner-centered course will allow teachers to explore basic concepts in botany as well as enhance their understandings of “nature” as a whole. This course will include garden-based outdoor work, classroom sessions, and a few walking trips. Learners will work individually, in groups, and as a whole class at various points in the course. Participants will set goals for themselves and will assess their own learning. We will spend a good deal of time examining our own learning and then relating it to various teaching and assessment strategies. Teachers will create an individual lesson that is appropriate for their students, will receive feedback from one another, and will then create a lesson unit to be utilized in their own classrooms.
New York City teachers may register for P-credits by visiting www.schools.nyc.gov/Teachers/aspdp. The course fee includes a $250 registration and materials fee and a $125 dollar ASPDP fee. For more information and to register, please contact Marnie Rackmill at mrackmill@queensbotanical.org.
Botany, Ecology, and Sustainability
36 hour P Credit course
Participants will be able to incorporate art, math, literature, and kinesthetic learning in teaching concepts related to plant science and plant and animal (including human) interactions. Teachers will conduct their own experiments and will learn about and be able to teach current issues in environmental sustainability and environmental biology. Lessons are aligned with the NYC and State Standards and provide for differentiation.
$250 + $100 ASPDP fee for P Credits.
To register for P Credits, please use the ASPDP website.
For more information or registration for non-P Credit participants, please contact Marnie Rackmill.
Options for Schools/Districts
Classroom Extensions into the Garden and Garden Extensions into the Classroom
Discover how QBG’s garden spaces (and other gardening activities) can be used to teach ELA, social studies, and math. Create and take a model of a rainforest or desert biome. Examine plants, soils, water, and more. This workshop will include adaptable classroom activities, reproducible materials, and discussion points for various grade levels. Specific topics such as plants in society, adaptations, soil and water, etc, may be requested.
Standards: E1, E2a, E3c, S1, S2a, S4a, PS2, LE3, LE6,
Observations with Plants – How do Scientists Think?
Designed for elementary and middle school teachers (general education, special education, science, and literacy), this workshop model lesson begins with basic plant observations. Participants ask questions, come up with their own hypotheses, and use literature to back up their statements. This class extends into the garden where participants have the opportunity to further their observations. Teachers examine various applications to literacy and science curricula and take home their own dish garden for classroom observation.
NYC Standards: E1, E2a, E3c, M4, M5, S1, 2a, S2c, S2e, S5c, S5d, S5f, S7a, S7b, S7d, S7e, LE3, LE6
Exciting and Easy Classroom Gardening (1/2 day workshop)
Participants will plant roots, bulbs, seeds, stems, and more from around the world to help create their own classroom gardens. Selected are easy to maintain, create specific learning opportunities, and help to create exciting classroom environment. Classroom activities and reproducible materials will be provided in this cross-curricular workshop.
Standards: E1, E2a, E3c, S2a, S2b, S2c, S2e, LE4, LE6
The Waste Stream
Participants will examine the various paths a piece of trash from NYC can follow. Participants will leave with an understanding of the overall waste stream, socioeconomic and cultural factors affecting waste management, and more. Sample classroom activities will be provided. During the full 6 hr version of this workshop, participants will engage in lessons on sustainability, sustainable resources, and will tour the QBG Visitor and Administrative building (a “green building”). During the full version of this course participants will receive classroom composting materials including a bin, a voucher for worms, and books.
Standards: E2a, E3c, M4, M5, M6, S3d, S4
Customized Professional Development Workshops
QBG's Professional Development staff can design workshops specifically targeted to your group's needs, following the NSTA inquiry-based model. Depending on subject, workshops can be designed as a 1-day session to over 5 days.
Past workshop titles have included:
Weekend Workshops
Fall and winter dates to be announced.
Call Marnie Rackmill at 718-886-3800 ext. 371 to receive emails about teacher professional development programs.
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