History

In the Spring of 2002, Oakwood Elementary School Principal, Jim McGrath and teacher Mike Tauscher united the Oakwood Teachers, parents and students to develop a Planning Grant Proposal for the Oakwood Environmental Education Charter School .  The foundation for the school would be to develop an innovative, interdisciplinary environmentally based curriculum, purposefully woven together utilizing the constructionist learning approach within the various habitats in the Sheldon Nature Area Ecosystem.

During the Spring and Summer of 2003 the curriculum committee headed by Donna Charley-Johnson, Environmental Education instructor from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh and Mike Tauscher, and Oakwood Elementary teacher worked with the committee members to develop the Environmental Charter School Curriculum that aligns with the Wisconsin Model Academic standards and the Oshkosh Area School District Grade Level Benchmarks in the areas of Science and Language Arts.

Donna Charley-Johnson has orchestrated Environmental Education Big Learning Days during the months of September, December of 2003 and February, May of 2004.  These learning days give students first hand experience with the environmental education concepts that are covered in the curriculum.  Environmental Education experts from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh and the State of Wisconsin develop student learning situations that give the students real world experiences in the areas they have studied.

On October 1, 2003 , the charter school was awarded a $150,000 Implementation Grant to move forward with the charter school.  This exciting educational project is an example of what can be accomplished to enhance children’s education when you unite school and community resources.

Jim McGrath, Chairperson

EE Steering Committee

Top

Timeline and Progress

Development of an Integrated Curriculum - Grades 4 and 5

·        May 2002 – Organized a curriculum subcommittee to develop environmental education (EE) curriculum

·        September 2002 – Observed teachers and students at Jackson Elementary in Stevens Point

·        January 2003 - Developed 4th and 5th grade EE benchmarks for the Oshkosh Area School District

·        March 2003 - Aligned the Oshkosh Area School District “EE” Benchmarks with state academic standards (grades 4 and  8)

·        June 2003 - Oshkosh Area School District Board of Education approved implementation of the EE charter school at Oakwood

·        July 2003 – Created an EE integrated curriculum for 4th and 5th grade language arts, reading and science

·        July 2003 – Reviewed and edited proposed curriculum and participated in professional development opportunities

·        August 2003 – University of Wisconsin Oshkosh coordinates science staff development opportunity for 4^th and 5^th grade teachers at Oakwood (25 microscopes loaned to the school)

·        September 2003 – Implemented EE curriculum in grades 4 and 5 at Oakwood

·        September 2003 – Coordinated the first of 4 Environmental Education Learning Days at Oakwood Elementary School with a focus on wetlands and prairies

·        October 2003 – Al Stenstrup and Dennis Yockers conduct a staff development opportunity for environmental education

·        December 2003 – Coordinated the second of 4 Environmental Education Learning Days at Oakwood Elementary School with a focus on sustainability and ecosystem services

·        January 2004 – Launch improved website to showcase the EE charter school and its activities

·        February 2004 – Students participate in third Environmental Education Learning day at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh with the focus being an energy fair

·        May 2004 – Final Environmental Education Learning Day completed at Oakwood Elementary School with a focus on waterways and forests

·        Continually – Evaluate effectiveness of the EE curriculum

 Top

Continual Growth and Learning

     Program Success Stories

·        Curriculum

o       The Environmental Education Charter School at Oakwood Elementary developed its own environmental education standards and then aligned those standards to the benchmarks of the Oshkosh Area School District .  All activities in the environmental education curriculum align to those standards and benchmarks. The partnership with the Oshkosh Area School District , The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh and the Sheldon Nature left have created the opportunity for this program to integrate its curriculum with the school district standards and benchmarks for science and literacy.    

·        The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Partnership

o       Through the work of The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh resources, materials and presenters have been available to support student learning.  The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh has loaned the charter school over 25 microscopes valued at over $500.  In addition, scientists have been the lead presenters at the Environmental Education Learning days covering topics as live trapping of rodents, dencorneology, herbariums, mist netting

·        Community Partnership

o       The Sheldon Nature left has also assisted with providing necessary equipment, resources and speakers for the charter school.  The Sheldon Nature Center is the link between the community and the charter school.  This organization has spearheaded the creation of the outdoor learning lab.  In addition they have provided speakers for the Environmental Education Learning Days and created an outdoor learning center.  They have also assisted with media contacts to promote the Environmental Education Charter School.

Program Challenges

·        Master Schedule

o       Over the summer of 2003, Oakwood Elementary tackled the issue of scheduling specialists and teachers while meeting the district guidelines for minutes/subject.  Most matters have been resolved however, the initial three teachers implementing the program has now risen to 4 possibly 5.  This change results in additional staff development and scheduling changes.

Top