310026: MALAMA LEARNING CENTER: BRINGING HAWAII TREES AND FORESTS INTO YOUR CLASSROOM (HYBRID)

MALAMA LEARNING CENTER: BRINING HAWAII TREES AND FORESTS INTO YOUR CLASSROOM (HYBRID)

Only HSTA members are eligible to take this course.

HSTA PD Instructors: Pauline Sato & Amber O’Reilly

This course is designed to connect teachers to outdoor and virtual classrooms to expand engaging and authentic learning for their students related to trees and forests that support aina-based (environment-based) learning and ike Hawaii (Hawaiian knowledge). The course complements the Symphony of the Hawaii Forests, a new and locally created musical and animated immersive performance intended for grades 4 and above, bringing together music, science, hula, and storytelling.

Participants in this hybrid online and in-person course will explore natural and cultural resources in their communities to build pilina (relationships/connections) to trees and forests in Hawaii in both urban and rural settings, and in built and natural environments. They will explore the Essential question: How do I connect to trees and forests in Hawaii to create authentic learning for my students?

Trees and forests are important for everyone. Not only do they provide habitat for animals like birds  they also provide food and fiber for people. They cool the environment by creating shade and through the process of transpiration. They hold down the soil to reduce surface runoff after rains and allow for rainwater to infiltrate and recharge groundwater. They can increase property values for homes and businesses. They help mitigate climate change by taking in and storing CO2 in their tissues, reducing the cause of atmospheric warming and ocean acidification.  And they are integral to Hawaiian cultural practices, including hula, rituals, lei and tool making, sailing, hale-building, and more.

Community partners and course facilitators will model instructional and inquiry strategies that utilize place as an organizing construct for curriculum planning. At the end of the course, participants will understand how to build connection to place that is grounded in aina and ike Hawaii, and utilize in-class and outdoor lessons based on sites with trees and forests in their communities as part of their required Learning Portfolio.

This pilot hybrid course is designed for teachers on the islands of Oahu and Molokai, with potential expansion to other islands in the future. Course participants will meet three times online during after-school hours. There will be an online Introductory meeting to review course materials and expectations.  At the next online meeting, teachers will learn from guest speakers knowledgeable about natural and cultural connections to forests in Hawaii, the Symphony of Hawaii Forests, as well as aina-based education. Teachers will also share reflections on readings and other explorations in breakout groups. The hands-on portion of the course will involve teachers going to pre-arranged sites to meet with site hosts, learn from them, and participate in an activity such as a tour, workshop, or volunteer work day. This experience will provide a solid foundation upon which teachers will develop new or adapt existing lessons on trees and forests for their students.  Teachers will also build connections with site hosts for potential future visits with students.  Teachers will develop a five-minute virtual huakai (field trip) from their visit that will be shared with other teachers in the course during the final online session. These shared resources could be used in lessons for students.

Attendance during all sessions will be mandatory. Make-up sessions may be allowed except for the final online presentation day. All participants will also be required to complete a Learning Portfolio.
No funds will be provided for stipends or transportation.

*All state mandated safety requirements will be followed.

Steps to register:

1. Go to PDE3 and add your name to the waitlist. 
2. Come back to this site and pay the course deposit
3. Once your deposit has been cleared, you will be moved from the waitlist and registered for the course.

PDE3 Section 310026 HSTA Spring 2023
Dates: February 16, 2023 through June 9, 2023 (Portfolio deadline is May 9, 2023)

This course will be a an online course.  The deadline to pay for this course is Noon, February 14, 2023.  Participants will be emailed instructions to access their online course.  If you have any questions regarding the course, please reach out to the instructor listed above directly.