| 1) |
Who provides this program and why?
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This unique program is provided FREE by the Michigan Department of Natural
Resources to fourth grade teachers. Many Special Education teachers, Title One
teachers and Reading Consultants also use the L.A.P.'sT Program. The Michigan
DNR's goal is to get kids and their families to spend more time in Michigan's
great outdoors and help them better understand the importance of our natural
resources.
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| 2) |
If I get the program this year will I automatically get it next year? |
No, in order to receive the L.A.P.'sT Program for
2004-2005, you will need to mail back a response that will be sent to you in
early March, 2004. |
| 3) |
Everything I teach must be aligned with the Michigan Curriculum Framework Is
the L.A.P.'sT Program in alignment with the MCF? |
Yes, please see the chart on page 3 of the L.A.P.'sT Teacher's Guide, as well
as the Table of Contents pages for each unit. |
| 4) |
There is a lot of material in the
program? Do I have to teach all the units? |
No, this program is designed to be used to supplement your existing Michigan
history curriculum. Neither the units, nor the pages, have to be taught in any
particular order. For example, you might have students complete the MEAP
formatted activities in every unit and those related to Core Democratic Values. |
| 5) |
How is it organized? |
The L.A.P'sT Program was designed by teachers for
teachers. Each unit is organized in the same manner and has the same
components. For example, the Anticipation Guide for Hartwick Pines (HP) is in
the Teaching Tips (T) section on page THP4. You will find an Anticipation Guide
for Taquameneon Falls (TF) on TTF4, the Anticipation Guide for Mitchell (MI) on
TMI4 and so on for every unit. The Multi-Purpose Unit contains materials and
fun, book-making activities that can be used for other subject areas. |
| 6) |
Does the L.A.P'sT Program support the current research on brain compatible
learning? |
Yes, Dr. David Sousa, International Educational
Consultant and author of How The Brain Learns reviewed the L.A.P.'sT Program
and states, "The L.A.P.'sT Program is one of the very few programs I have
evaluated that contains all the essential components of the research on brain
compatible approaches." |
| 7) |
What about MEAP? Will using the
L.A.P'sT Program help me prepare my students for the MEAP test? |
MEAP formatted activities are included in each unit. These activities reinforce
skills and strategies that students need to be more successful on the MEAP
tests. The activities also reinforce the theme of that particular unit. MEAP
activities are listed on the Table of Contents pages for each unit. A list is
also included on the enclosed Features of the L.A.P.'sT Program and MEAP Format
& Unit Focus pages. |
| 8) |
What about Core Democratic Values,
Economics, and Themes of Geography?
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They're in there! Check out the Features of the
L.A.P.'sT Program pages included in this packet of materials for the page
numbers of activities for each topic. |
| 9) |
I teach thematically. How does L.A.P'sT fit in? |
The L.A.P'sT Program incorporates a thematic,
integrated approach. Every unit, including the Multi-Purpose section has
activiyies for several curriculum and an extensive bibliography that includes
both fiction and non-fiction books, songs, art, related programs and Web sites. |
| 10) |
With this much teaching material, I need an inservice.
Is this provided? |
Yes, the MDNR understands the importance of
inservice to the success of the program. FREE inservices are provided through
local ISDs, school districts (for at least 25 teachers) and at conferences,
such as the Michigan Reading Association Conference and the State Social
Studies Conference. Check the list of currently scheduled inservices in this
packet of information. |
| 11) |
What about technology? I have to integrate Technology into my teaching.
|
The MDNR recently completed their
Kids/Teachers/Parents Section of their Web site-www.michigandnr.com. It was
developed with the L.A.P'sT Program in mind and has a section on each park that
includes, History, Features, Animals, Bibliography, Activities, Games, and
features ofeach park in the program. After you teach a park unit, students can
go to the Web site for a review. They can even hear the sound of Taquamenon
Falls and draw the featured animal of each park with L.A.P.'sT illustrator,
Mark Herrick. |
| 12) |
What is the Outdoor Explorers Club and should I encourage my students to join? |
Absolutely, the club is free to children up to age 12. Currently, the club has
over 50,000 members and is growing every day. Members receive 4 free,
fun-filled newsletters from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources that
are written and illustrated by L.A.P.'sT author and illustrator, Edna Stephens
and Mark Herrick. Designed in a similar format as the L.A.P.'sT Program's
student pages, these newsletters are a great way to encourage reading and
parent/child interaction at home. Children can learn about nature, Michigan
history and natural resources in a fun way. For example: The summer 2001
issue-featured stars and the summer night sky and an entire page on bugs. The
Fall, 2001 edition will feature bird migration and the U.S. Capitol Holiday
Tree - 2001. The sign-up forms are shrink-wrapped with the Student Booklets or
students can sign up on the DNR web site - www.michigandnr.com. |
| 13) |
Should I keep the Students Booklets to use next year? |
The Student Booklets, maps, Recreation and Camping
Guide and the Outdoor Explorer Awards that give a free family admission to a
state park should be sent home with students. The mission of the DNR is to
encourage families to learn more about Michigan's outdoors. Please send these
components home after your students complete the program. These consumable
items will be replaced next school year if you request the program. |
| 14) |
What about the Kids In The Park Program? |
Schedule a field trip to any state park and you will receive our free L.A.P'sT
Kids In The ParkT Curriculum - Appropriate for any park, it includes a Student
Journal to be completed during the field trip and pre and post trip CONNECT-ITT
teaching activities, Teaching Tip pages, Bibliography and Answer Key. Call
1-866-629-KIDS (5437) TODAY to schedule a Kids In ParkT field trip.
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