The Basin The Foundation Education/ Outreach Programs Lessons on the Lake Educational Theory Multiple Intelligences

View Chapter: Full Table of Contents Return to the Home Page Editors, Authors and Contributors Introduction Pontchartain Basin: A Water Shed Why Worry About Wetlands? The Magic of the Estuary Rollin' Down the River Liquid Assets Natural Resources of the Basin Ecosystems in Delicate Balance Natural Forces Affecting the Basin Resource Management: Land Use Exploring the History of the Basin Field Trip Guide Internet Resources Appendix Introduction The Lake Pontchartrain Basin The Lake Pontchartrain Basin, formed about 5,000 years ago, is a vast ecological system of over 4,700 square miles. Many cultures have inhabited its lands and fished its waters. From Native Americans to the French settlers of New Orleans to present-day citizens, we have all benefited from the Pontchartrain Basin's rich natural resources. It provides habitat for a great diversity of animal and plant life. However, human population growth has taken its toll on the Basin's ecosystems. Environmental problems in the Basin include: pollution from urban stormwater runoff, sewage overflow, agricultural runoff, and loss of wetlands and other critical habitats due to pollution, hydrological alterations, and development pressures. The Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation The Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation, a membership-based citizen's organization, was established in 1989 to organize the restoration efforts in the Basin. The mission of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation is to restore and preserve the Lake Pontchartrain Basin through coordination of restoration activities, education, advocacy, monitoring of the regulatory process, and citizen action. The Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation works in partnership with all segments of the community to reclaim the waters and habitats for this and future generations. Through on-the-ground technological projects such as dairy waste lagoons and education/outreach programs, the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation is making a difference. Shell dredging has been stopped; seagrasses are beginning to reestablish their colonies; local fishers are seeing population increases in fisheries, and pollution levels in Basin rivers have decreased. The Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation's Education/Outreach Programs The Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation's Education/Outreach Programs have been ongoing for four years. Some examples of the programs are presentations, workshops, and field trips for students, teachers, and others; creation, development, and dissemination of educational materials and video documentaries; research assistance to students and teachers; Canal/River Watch monitoring with schools; ecocamps; outreach at festivals; bookcover contest and distribution to schools, and small grants to schools and other organizations for educational projects in the Basin.

The Basin The Foundation Education/ Outreach Programs Lessons on the Lake Educational Theory Multiple Intelligences

Lessons on the Lake: An Educator's Guide to the Pontchartrain Basin Lessons on the Lake: An Educator's Guide to the Pontchartrain Basin is an important addition to the Lake Foundation's Education Program. Without the help of educators, the Foundation's Education Program would not reach the youngsters who will command the future of the Pontchartrain Basin. By using this guide, educators will ensure that students understand the importance of protecting a precious ecosystem on which we all depend and enjoy. Educational Goal: The goal of Lessons on the Lake: An Educator's Guide to the Pontchartrain Basin is to educate students, grades 5-12, about the environmental importance of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin. The guide facilitates instruction for teachers, allows easy access to information on environmental issues surrounding the watershed, and captures the interests of students. Lessons on the Lake uses a wide variety of educational strategies based on "multiple intelligences" to challenge the creative and higher level thinking skills of students. The activities provide youngsters with an understanding and appreciation of the the Lake Pontchartrain Basin and give them the skills to identify environmental concerns, make changes, and solve problems. The ultimate goal of Lessons on the Lake: An Educator's Guide to the Pontchartrain Basin is that, in addition to learning about the watershed, students will also acquire a strong sense of stewardship. Educational Objectives: The objectives of Lessons on the Lake: An Educator's Guide to the Pontchartrain Basin are: Develop and heighten a holistic understanding of environmental issues connected to the Lake Pontchartrain Basin, using scientific, geographical, political, historical, economic, and political perspectives. Increase creative and critical thinking skills and develop problem solving and decision making abilities by using dynamic teaching activities revolving around selected issues critical to the understanding and preservation of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin.

The Basin The Foundation Education/ Outreach Programs Lessons on the Lake Educational Theory Multiple Intelligences

Educational Theory: Lessons on the Lake: An Educator's Guide to the ntchartrain Basin is based on the learning theory of Howard Gardner (1993. Multiple Intelligences: The Theory in Practice. New York: Basic Books.) Howard Gardner, a professor at Harvard University, has proposed a theory that humans have what he identifies as seven intelligences. Multiple Intelligences Logical/Mathematical: Ability to reason well, comprehend patterns, and effectively use numbers Musical: Ability to perceive, distinguish, transform and express musical forms; sensitivity to pitch, rhythm, texture, and timbre of musical piece Verbal/Linguistic: Ability to understand and use oral and written language effectively Bodily/Kinesthetic: Ability to use all or part of one's body to perform a task or fashion a product Visual/Spatial: Ability to think in pictures and images; sensitivity to space, shape, form, color, line, and visual/spatial relationships Intrapersonal: Ability to understand and respond to one's own thoughts and feelings; self-knowledge of strengths and weaknesses Interpersonal: Ability to understand and respond to the moods, personalities, motivations, and needs of others Howard Gardner (Page 15) defines intelligence as: the ability to solve problems that one encounters in real life; the ability to generate new problems to solve; the ability to make something or offer a service that is valued within one's culture. While everyone possesses all seven intelligences, the degree to which they are developed or manifested varies among individuals. Educators can benefit from understanding this learning theory by realizing that their students possess a variety of intelligences; therefore, the way something is taught to one student may not work for another student. Rather than teaching the same way to all students, teachers should teach using multimodal strategies to develop and enhance the strengths of all students. They should allow youngsters to explore their individual interests and talents at the same time they are learning valued skills and concepts. With regard to schools, Gardner states: "In my view, the purpose of school should be to develop intelligences and to help people reach vocational and avocational goals appropriate to their particular spectrum of intelligences. People who are helped to do so, I believe, feel more engaged and competent, and therefore are inclined to serve the society in a constructive way" (Page 9). Intelligence Vocations/ Avocations of adults: Students love to: Teaching Strategies: Verbal/ Linguistic writer, poet, editor, journalist, politician read, discuss, tell stories play word games, write creatively, listen listen, talk, read, write Logical/ Mathematical mathematician, scientist, accountant,computer programmer calculate, reason, analyze, organize, classify, code,experiment quantify, reason deductively/ inductively, compute, critique, syllogisms Visual/ Spatial artist, architect, navigator, cartographer, mechanic, engineer draw, paint, sculpt, create graphic representations, imagine, video, photograph draw, paint, design, visualize, concept or mind map, flowcharts, graph, build Bodily/ Kinesthetic athlete, dancer, surgeon engage in sports, mime, physical activities, dance, plays, crafts, build, invent sports, active games, performances, demonstrations, dance, role play Musical/ Rhythmic composer, performer listen, compose, perform, or record music and rhythms and environmental sounds create songs, analyze/reproduce patterns, link music/rhythm with ideas/concepts Interpersonal teacher, therapist, salesperson, religious and political leader group work, interviews, surveys, teams, teaching, explaining, organizing activities use cooperative learning, peer tutoring, social activities, simulations, community service Intrapersonal psychologist, entrepeneur independent study/projects, reflections, journals, diaries, personal goals allow choices, make connections to personal lives, self-esteem building, journal writing, reflections

The Basin The Foundation Education/ Outreach Programs Lessons on the Lake Educational Theory Multiple Intelligences

If we, as educators, acknowledge and nurture the varied intelligences in our youngsters, we will have at least a better chance of planning for and dealing appropriately with the many challenges that we face in the Lake Pontchartrain Basin today, in the next generation, and to the seventh generation. "In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations." The Great Law of the Iroquois Confederacy "And in today already walks tomorrow." Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834) View Chapter: Full Table of Contents Return to the Home Page Editors, Authors and Contributors Introduction Pontchartain Basin: A Water Shed Why Worry About Wetlands? The Magic of the Estuary Rollin' Down the River Liquid Assets Natural Resources of the Basin Ecosystems in Delicate Balance Natural Forces Affecting the Basin Resource Management: Land Use Exploring the History of the Basin Field Trip Guide Internet Resources Appendix ©1998 Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation Lessons on the Lake is published by the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation Metairie, LA [an error occurred while processing this directive]