Guest Post: This month we have a guest post from Anne Wilson, Map Program Coordinator for the Flint Hills Map and Education Program.
As teachers, we often hear students lament: “What does this have to do with me?” We know if our kids believe an idea actually affects them, it all of a sudden really matters. However, actually relating learning to students’ own lives and local environment takes time and background knowledge we don’t always have.
Now a grass-roots team of teachers in the Flint Hills region has developed a new “place-based education” program – designed to connect learning to students’ own heritage, culture, landscapes, ecology, economy, and experiences as a foundation for the study of core subjects.
How important is place? Bio-regionalist author Wendell Berry writes, “If you don’t know where you are, you don’t know who you are.” Many of our students think they’re from nowhere. They are connected to everywhere but where they are. This program gives them the gift of pride, understanding and commitment to their place.
The bonus is: Continue reading Increasing student engagement through place-based education: The Flint Hills Maps & Education program
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