|
|
2006
Approaching Walden
Summer
Seminar
Interdisciplinary
Place-based Seminar for
High School Teachers
July 10 - 21, 2006
Seminar Overview |
 |
|
|
|
*
Photo Gallery
*
Brochure (PDF file)
*
AW 2006 Lesson Plans
July
10-21, 2006
In its tenth year of offering
teacher seminars, the Walden Woods Project hosted 15 dedicated
high school teachers for this summer’s Approaching Walden.
The
seminar used Henry David Thoreau as a model and Walden Woods as a
classroom for the exploration of place-based interdisciplinary
community education. Seminar participants made several excursions to
Walden Woods, the Walden Pond State Reservation, and the town of
Concord, learning more about the natural and cultural history of
Thoreau Country, exploring its natural resources, and identifying
Thoreau’s bean-field and cabin site. In addition, the teachers
visited the city of Lowell, steeped in its industrial revolution
history, and Waltham Fields Community Farm, learning about local
food and environmental and social justice perspectives.
Overall, the program was
well-rounded, covering such topics as transcendentalism,
colonial history, nature
journaling, social and environmental justice, watersheds, vernal
pools and historic ecology, urban wilds, local stewardship, and
developing a sense of place. The seminar provided plenty of
background information, resources, and food for thought
for teachers of all subjects. In the words of one of the
participants – the seminar was both professionally and
personally enriching.
Please, read our participant
comments below and take a look at the
photo-gallery to find out more of what the teachers learned
from the seminar. We hope you can take advantage of our program
next summer!
More information
about how to apply for the next year's seminar will be posted in
January. If you have more questions, please e-mail
us at
education@walden.org. |
|
2006 Participants
Speak Up:
-
This has been a wonderful Institute that has re-energized me and
given fabulous ideas to take away and hold and share.
-
I
learned a lot about the literature, which was my hope, and I
learned a lot of things I never would have dreamed I’d have any
interest in.
-
This seminar was different in the wide variety of
experiences it offered. Also, the talent, dedication, and
inspiration of the other seminar members, of the Walden Woods
Institute staff, as well as others who led our activities, etc.
was amazing.
-
Each presenter had a wonderful project or idea to share. The
best parts of seminar - the sheer volume of experiences; great
reading materials; knowledgeable, caring staff, and also the
beauty of the property is a huge plus.
-
Overall, I had a great time and felt this was one of the best
professional development programs I ever took. It was
thoughtful, organized, and inspiring.
Schools Represented in 2006:
-
Brookline, MA
- Brookline High School
-
Brookline, MA
- Maimonides School
-
Camden, NJ -
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
-
Hopewell Junction,
NY - John Jay High School
-
Hyannis, MA
- Sturgis Charter Public School
-
Lexington, MA
- Lexington High School
-
Louisville, KY
- Walden School
-
Lowell, MA -
Lowell High School
-
Medfield, MA
- Medfield High School
-
Medfield, MA
- Medfield High School
-
Putney, VT -
Landmark College
-
San Francisco,
CA - The International High School of the French-American
Intern. School
-
Somerset, MA
- Somerset High School
-
Winchester, MA
- Winchester High School
-
Worcester, MA
- Doherty Memorial High School
|
|
|
