DNS First Grade: Exploring Missouri Teacher Training for Columbia Public School Teachers
This Discover Nature School (DNS) program First Grade: Exploring Missouri is designed specifically for First Grade students. This curriculum is aligned to all Missouri Learning Science (MLS) and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) including the four components of Earth and Space Science, Physical Science, Life Science and Engineering and Technology Science.
This curriculum entails 21 lessons, separated into 8 units of Missouri-based topics. All lessons are wrapped under the anchoring phenomena of Missouri Black Bears and their habitat. All lessons use the 5E instruction model beginning with Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate and Evaluate and tie into Missouri-focused phenomena and investigative questions.
The teacher training introduces teachers to the free student guide and teacher guide as well as the MDC Teacher Portal and other resources. The MDC Conservation Educator will prepare you to teach the lessons both indoors and outdoors and address any concerns with outdoor structured activities. Participating teachers become certified to receive the DNS First Grade Teacher Kit and funding to transport students on their field experience outside of school grounds.
- Fully colored, illustrated student guide which incorporates a student reader along with student science notebooks
- Lesson plans that include outdoor exploration, cross-curricular extensions and “Take-It Home Letters.”
- Completion of long-term loan agreement allow teachers to have a kindergarten teacher kit with essential reading books, hands-on science materials and bear related artifacts.
- An annual travel reimbursement grant up to $7/student for field experience, covering actual bus transportation costs.