On this Schoolyard Network call, we’ll be joined by a special guest, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Ranger Nicole Nadasen. She’ll share one of the park’s free virtual field trip offerings: “Stream Life: What’s in YOUR Water?” During the call, you’ll put on your learner hat to try out the lesson –  make a hypothesis, identify stream creatures, and discover how watersheds connect us all – and then will be invited to reflect on the connections that could be made in your classroom using this resource.

Schoolyard Network meetings are virtual and free to attend. Following each Schoolyard Network call, participants will receive a certificate documenting 1.5 hours of professional development.

If you haven’t already, be sure to join the Schoolyard Network.
We’ll email all Schoolyard Network members with details to join this month’s session.

Please note, this event takes place virtually from 4:30 to 6:00 pm EST. 

Schoolyard Network & SEL: Getting kids outside is not only a proven way to meet standards across content areas, and increase physical well-being and connection to place but also supports the development of students, of all ages, as people.The leading network on Social & Emotional Learning, CASEL (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning), lays out a framework for “developing healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions.” (CASEL, 2022). This year The Schoolyard Network aims to align our work to the competencies in the CASEL framework for social-emotional learning. Each month, the topic explored within the network not only explores the educational opportunities of getting kids outside but lays out which core competency the strategy aligns to. It is our hope that through this focus we can together provide a space that not only encourages exploration and a connection to place but also a sense of community and belonging for students & educators alike. (Source: CASEL: Fundamentals of SEL Overview)

Cover image by Erin Rosolina